ADEQ Air Quality Meteorologists Launch
First State Wildfire Smoke Forecast in the Nation
(PHOENIX) — Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced today a new wildfire smoke forecast — the first state wildfire smoke forecast of its kind in the country — to provide Arizona communities with early and ongoing information about potential air quality impacts so they can make informed decisions for their health. Designed to support, and in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) wildfire air resource advisors and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (AZDFFM) staff, ADEQ’s air quality meteorologists will provide a wildfire smoke forecast when Arizona wildfires have the potential for extended air quality impacts to communities as determined in coordination with federal and state land managers.
“With our new wildfire smoke forecast, we are serving our communities by providing both early and ongoing information about potential air quality impacts from wildfires,” said ADEQ Director Misael Cabrera.
“We expect this wildfire smoke forecast, the first of its kind in the nation, to serve as a model for how state and federal air quality experts can work together to leverage local knowledge and best serve their communities,” said AZDFFM Director David Tenney.
To inform health and safety considerations and support decision-making, ADEQ’s wildfire smoke forecasts provide both community members and wildfire managers with information about:
• Who is managing the wildfire and how to get in touch,
• Which communities may be affected by smoke,
• Where smoke is coming from and how long it is expected to last,
• Recommendations about when to limit outdoor activity, and
• Helpful resources including fact sheets, frequently asked questions and other resources related to land managers and other agencies.
When activated, online wildfire smoke forecasts will be available 24/7 and updated daily each morning to provide information about expected smoke impacts for the next 48-hours. ADEQ will continue to update activated wildfire smoke forecasts until data show significantly reduced risk of health impacts.
ADEQ’s wildfire smoke forecasts typically are not provided for wildfires that are short in duration or which occur in remote locations, away from populated areas.
Click to learn more about the Wildfire Smoke Forecast >

It takes the whole community working together to keep our area safe for everyone. Can we count on you to do your part in preventing wildfires?

Red Flag conditions threaten the Bringham Fire

Bringham Fire – June 17, 2020 Daily Update

Acres: 15,398

Jurisdiction: Apache-Sitgreaves NF, Clifton Ranger District

Resources: 2 hotshot crews, 3 Type 2 initial attack crews, 3 Type 3 engines, 4 Type 6 engines, 5 water tenders, 1 dozer, 1 Type 1 helicopter, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 1 Type 3 helicopter, miscellaneous overhead

Start Date: June 6, 2020

Percent Containment: 5%

Origin Location: 22 miles north of Morenci, AZ

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 316

Thunderstorms continued to affect the fire area yesterday, bringing gusty outflow winds and an abundance of lightning in the afternoon and early evening hours. Red Flag conditions are expected today from 10:00AM to 8:00PM, with sustained ridgetop winds from 23-26 miles per hour (MPH) and wind gusts up to 40 MPH. In the fire environment, the early afternoon hours are the most volatile time of day when increased temperatures can intensify fire behavior. The strongest winds are expected to threaten the fire during this core burning period, so firefighters are poised to respond to any increased activity this afternoon. High winds could also significantly impact the ability for aviation resources to support the fire operations.

In addition to managing the Bringham Fire, the Incident Management Team has assumed responsibility for initial attack of any new fire starts on the Clifton Ranger District. Yesterday’s lightning activity resulted in a new fire start within the area, officially named the Pinal Fire. Bringham Fire resources are assisting the local Springerville Type 2 Initial Attack (IA) Crew in suppressing this new fire, located approximately 8 miles south of Four Bar Mesa. Once the fire was spotted, the Springerville IA Crew began hiking into the area while the Type 2 helicopter transported a crew of four rappelers to provide rapid response to the new fire. A Type 1 helicopter provided additional support by dropping water buckets to slow fire spread ahead of the incoming firefighters. Both the Springerville IA Crew and the rappelers worked throughout the night to contain the fire and will continue these efforts today. The estimated fire size is one quarter acre.

As fire activity increases throughout the Southwest, incident management teams must work together to share resources and identify the greatest need and best use for crews and equipment. With multiple large fires burning across the region, the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 has transferred some of their personnel, including multiple Type 1 hotshot crews, to support larger and more complex incidents such as the Bush Fire on the Tonto National Forest. This coordination allows fire managers to allocate resources equitably and serve the unique needs of each incident.

For the protection of the public and our firefighters, Highway 191 is closed in both directions between Mile Marker 189 (just past Juan Miller Road) and Mile Marker 225 (Blue Vista). This closure will remain in place through June 21, 2020 and may be extended as firefighters continue to secure the road corridor. More information can be found at https://azdot.gov/adot-news/us-191-closed-eastern-arizona-mountains-due-bringham-fire.

Fire Information Officers are available from 8:00AM to 8:00PM to respond to questions via phone at (928) 288-2154 or email at 2020.bringham@firenet.gov. Additional fire information can be found at the following links:

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6747/
• Facebook (updates and daily operational videos): https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/
• Interactive Bringham Fire Map: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/BringhamFireWebMap

Temporary Closure Order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprd3793918