Fact sheet for Thursday, July 20, 2023

Acres: 1,250 | Containment: 0% | Total personnel: 115 Start Date: July 19, 2023 Cause: Lightning | Location: 15 miles northwest of Heber-Overgaard Fuels: pinyon-juniper and grass

Highlights: The fire transitioned to a Type 3 Incident Commander yesterday. Suppression personnel made good progress overnight with cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity.

Operations: Fire personnel are working through suppression tactics and balancing firefighter safety concerns in the area.A high priority for personnel is to keep the fire on the west side of Chevelon Canyon. Resources assigned to the fire include 5 hand crews, 4 dozers, 6 engines 2 water tenders, 3 helicopters, and miscellaneous overhead. Air tankers will be ordered as needed to assist suppression operations. Moderate movement is expected.

Evacuations: No evacuations. The areas of Chevelon Canyon Ranches/Retreat are currently on “SET “status. Please make sure your go kit is prepared, you have your important papers/documents gathered and you are following https://311info.net/ for accurate and timely status updates.

Closures: There is a roadblock at the junction of Forest Service roads 504 and 153. Residence of Chevelon Canyon Ranches/Retreat are being allowed passage. There is no access on State Route 99 to Chevelon Crossing.

Additional roads in the area may be restricted or closed depending on the operational needs of firefighters.

Avoid travel in the area if possible. If in the area, please watch for fire personnel and heavy equipment.

Weather: Expect warm, dry, and breezy today. Cloud cover and a chance of precipitation Friday. Weather information is available at https://www.weather.gov/fgz/

Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage I Fire and Smoking Restrictions, learn more at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices/?aid=81123
Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://ein.az.gov

Smoke: Smoke is visible from the surrounding area. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs

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