SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz., June 22, 2021 – Due to extreme fire danger and historically dry conditions during a time when firefighting resources are stretched thin, the entire Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will close for public safety, beginning Thursday, June 24 at 6:00 a.m.

A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests at any time. Those with private inholdings will be allowed into their property.

More than two dozen fires have started on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in the last few days. Two of these fires required additional assistance by incident management teams. Further, fire behavior has been extreme with crowning, torching and long-range spotting, threatening lives and property. While sporadic precipitation may fall in areas of the forest over the coming weeks, this closure will remain in effect until fire activity decreases, sufficient precipitation falls to reduce the risk of wildfire and hot, dry conditions are no longer forecast to continue.

Forest Service personnel will attempt to reach as many people as possible to begin vacating campsites and informing individuals who are camping in the forest. Campers and visitors to the national forest should vacate their campsites before the closure begins and the public should cancel any plans for visiting the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests for the next several weeks.

The violation of closures and fire restrictions carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.
Order No. 03-01-21-16 is available on the forest website. Stay up to date on Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests news by checking the A-S website and following @A_SNF on Facebook and Twitter.

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The WEST CHEV fire, North of Heber/Overgaard, is moving slowly in a southerly direction. The WYRICK fire is moving slowly east. Same travel restriction apply, and more information will be given as it is received.

The Backbone fire is now at around 37,300 acres, increasing nearly 5,000 acres yesterday. Westerly winds yesterday sent smoke towards the east throughout the day. This caused light to moderate smoke impacts to Pine and Strawberry, and mostly light impacts in Payson and Show Low. Smoke has settled this morning causing heavier impacts in the Strawberry area.

Smoke Synopsis

Surface winds today will be a little breezy out of the west, then weakening and becoming more variable in the evening. During the day smoke should move off to the east. We could see light to moderate impacts to Strawberry, Pine, Payson, and Camp Verde. Areas further north may also see some smoke impacts, but more from the Rafael Fire.The heavier impacts will be later in the evening through the morning due to settling of the smoke. Smoke should lift tomorrow morning as the temperatures warm and the inversion lifts around 10-11am. During the day winds will be fairly light and out of the southwest. We will likely continue to see light to moderate smoke for the surrounding areas.If you are in an area with heavy impacts, the suggested actions to take are (if possible): close windows and use fans or alternative cooling devices, turn off swamp coolers, use filtered HVAC systems, and avoid outdoor activities.