Operational Update: Yesterday, there was no growth on the Cottonwood Ridge Fire and the acreage remains the same. The firelines are holding well and crews will continue to strengthen and secure them over the next few days. The northwest flank remains a priority as firefighters continue efforts to secure that side of the fire.

Mark Bernal, Incident commander Type 2 and his Incident Management Team will assume command of the Cottonwood Ridge, Spoon and Mustang Ridge fires on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation at 600 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

Management Objective: Reduce fire size using aircraft, giving firefighters time to assess the fire landscape. Firefighters are working on full suppression tactics for this fire.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire area.

Values at risk: Potential communities at risk include Linden to the north of the Cottonwood Ridge Fire, but it’s NOT an immediate threat at this time. Citizens should always be “Ready” for any emergency by having a kit, being on the Ready Navajo County Alert System (sign up here: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612436/login) and watch Fort Apache Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt for accurate information. Should the need arise to go into “SET”, an alert will be sent, as well as posts added to our social media and on www.311info.net. Highway 60 may be impacted and is located east of the fire.

Smoke: Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding communities and along Highway 60.

Primary and Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Navajo County, and US Forest Service.
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