Incident Start Date: 6/29/2019 Cause: Lightning/Natural Percent contained: 40%
Incident Type: Wildfire Size: 1439 Acres Fuel: Timber & Short Grass
Resources assigned: 1 Engine. Total Personnel: 3 Suppression Strategy: Point / Zone Protection

Current Situation: On June 30, 2019, Fire managers received a report of smoke in the vicinity of Campbell Blue drainage west of Blue River Ranch. Due to the overabundance of snags from the 2011 Wallow Fire, as well as steep slopes, this naturally occurring low intensity fire is currently being monitored by both onsite crews as well as air resources. This lightening caused fire will be used to reintroduce fire into the ecosystem, restore natural fire regimes, and remove excess fuels.

Today’s Plan: The fire received rainfall Saturday night and Sunday. This rain slowed the spread of the fire. All resources were released. The fire will be monitored by 1 local engine. There are still stump holes and large logs that are continuing to smoke on the interior of the fire.

Smoky Conditions Remain in the Area: Smoke from the Blue River Fire may be visible from the Blue River road going south of Alpine. Light smoke may continue to impact Campbell Blue and the Blue community.

Visitor Information: If you are sensitive to smoke, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services website at http://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/extreme-weather/index.php#wildfires-home for additional information regarding the dangers of wildfire and prescribed burn smoke and wildfire preparedness.

Closures and Restrictions: None
Road and Trail Closures: None

Fire restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is not currently in fire restrictions. Visitors are reminded to be very careful with fire. Never leave a fire unattended – even for a short time.

Additional Information on wildfire and wildfire safety can be found at:
o Northeastern Arizona Public Information System: https://311info.net/ or call 311 or 928.333.3412
o Arizona Fire Restrictions: http://firerestrictions.us/az/
o Fire Restrictions and Red Flag Alerts: http://wildlandfire.az.gov/
o Wildfires Near Me: http://www.wildfiresnearme.wfmrda.com/
o Fire Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6413/

Location: Whiting Knoll Cause: Lightning Percent contained: 50%
Date Reported: June 30, 10 a.m. Size: 2,280 acres Fuel: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa, grass understory Resources assigned: 5 engines, 3 hand crews, 2 bulldozer, 1 helicopter, 1 water tender

Springerville, July 6, 2019 – For Immediate Release – Yesterday crews continued with back fire operations around the fire’s perimeter, consuming unburned fuels between the main fire and the fire line, bringing the fire to 50% containment. Navopache Electric Cooperative was able to access the tripped powerline, make repairs, and restore power by mid-day.

Today all main roads in the fire area are re-opened. Crews will monitor the fire and begin mop-up along the fire lines. This will be the final update on the Whiting Fire unless significant events occur.

Weather: An increasing chance of thunderstorms is expected across the White Mountains today through Sunday. Winds will be light but can become variable and gusty around approaching thunderstorms.

Safety: Smoke impacts will be light as fire activity winds down. U.S. Highway 60 between mileposts 370 and 379 may still be impacted by hazy conditions at times. Please drive with caution through areas impacted by smoke and fire.

Road Closures and Restrictions: All main roads in the fire area have been reopened. Visitors are reminded to be alert for fire crews and drive with caution through the area.

Individuals sensitive to smoke are encouraged to visit the Arizona Department of Health Services website at http://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/extreme-weather/index.php#wildfires-home for additional information regarding the dangers of wildfire and prescribed burn smoke and wildfire preparedness. Air quality data from across the state can be viewed at www.Phoenix.net/PPMmain.aspx.

Location: Whiting Knoll Cause: Lightning Percent contained: 5%
Date Reported: June 30, 10 a.m. Size: 1,625 acres Fuel: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa, grass understory Resources assigned: 5 engines, 3 hand crews, 2 bulldozer, 1 helicopter, 1 water tender

Springerville, July 5, 2019 – For Immediate Release – The 4th of July was an active day on the Whiting Knoll Fire east of Vernon. Crews continued with back fire operations, bringing the fire down to Forest Roads 117 and 65 fire line and Apache County Road 3123 fire line. Due to the heavy holiday traffic and active fire in direct proximity, fire managers and Apache County officials have closed these roads for firefighter and public safety.
Early in the day, the fire entered a sizeable pocket of heavy fuels consisting of mixed conifer with a heavy dead and down component resulting in a substantial smoke column through the day. A Navopache powerline that runs through this heavy timber pocket has tripped off line, causing power outages to customers in the Greens Peak area. Due to the heavy fire activity yesterday, line crews were unable to access the area. Navopache anticipates accessing and assessing the distribution line this morning. Currently, the level of impact to the line is unknown and there is no estimate on when power will be restored to affected customers.
Although an active day, operations went as planned and crews held the fire within the fire lines.
Today fire crews will focus on holding and reinforcing fire lines where needed utilizing ground ignitions. Smoke is expected to be heavy into the evening.

Weather: Moisture is expected to graze the White Mountains starting this afternoon bring a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms into the weekend.
Safety: Smoke may be heavy at times along U.S. Highway 60 between mileposts 370 and 379. Visitors are reminded to use their headlights and drive with caution through areas impacted by smoke. Forest visitors are reminded to drive with caution on all forest roads.
Road Closures and Restrictions: Apache County Road 3123 is closed from Apache County Road 1326 to Forest Road 117. Forest Road 117 is closed from Apache County Road 1326 to the junction with Forest Road 65. Forest Road 65 is closed in its entirety.
Individuals sensitive to smoke are encouraged to visit the Arizona Department of Health Services website at http://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/extreme-weather/index.php#wildfires-home for additional information regarding the dangers of wildfire and prescribed burn smoke and wildfire preparedness. Air quality data from across the state can be viewed at www.Phoenix.net/PPMmain.aspx.
Fire restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is not currently in fire restrictions. Visitors are reminded to be very careful with fire. Never leave a fire unattended – even for a short time.
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Additional Information on wildfire and wildfire safety can be found at:
o Northeastern Arizona Public Information System: https://311info.net/ or call 311 or 928.333.3412 o Arizona Fire Restrictions: http://firerestrictions.us/az/ o Fire Restrictions and Red Flag Alerts: http://wildlandfire.az.gov/ o Wildfires Near Me: http://www.wildfiresnearme.wfmrda.com/