HAPPY JACK, Ariz., May 1, 2018, For Immediate Release — Forest Service investigators were able to access the point of origin of the Tinder Fire and have found the cause to be an abandoned illegal campfire during Stage I Fire Restrictions.
The fire was reported by the Moqui Tower lookout on April 27 at 11:43 a.m. and began near Forest Road 95, approximately 1.5 miles east of C.C. Cragin Reservoir. It quickly spread to the bottom of East Clear Creek Canyon, and strong southwest winds drove the fire in a northeast direction up the canyon and towards private property and residents located about 3 miles away.
“Any time we enter restrictions or have even closed the forest, we still continue to find abandoned and illegal campfires,” said Andy Pederson, Forest Service patrol captain for northern Arizona. “This shows extreme lack of care for public safety and our natural resources when people would have an illegal campfire, much less abandon an illegal campfire.”
Finding the person responsible for this illegal campfire will be difficult, as witnesses in the forest are often nonexistent, but Forest Service Law Enforcement & Investigations are continuing to investigate this case and are hopeful for progress.
If anyone was in the area of Forest Road 95 near the origin of the Tinder Fire on April 27 and has information that could help this investigation, please contact Forest Service Law Enforcement at (928) 527-3511.
The Tinder Fire is currently over 11,400 acres with zero percent containment and more than 550 personnel working to control and extinguish the wildfire.

Rattlesnake Fire:

Size: 26,072
Containment: 63%

Fire activity: Fire behavior was moderate Monday. Existing containment lines were maintained as near Red Flag conditions persisted through the day with sustained wind speeds near 15 miles per hour, gusts to 25, and relative humidity values dropping into the single digits. Crews continue to monitor and patrol containment lines on the western and northern flanks of the fire, fire activity is minimal in those areas.

Weather: Increasing clouds, with a high near 58 degrees. Southwest winds will continue across the area today at 13 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. The approaching front brings a chance of precipitation tonight into Wednesday.

Safety: Residents are reminded to drive with caution in the fire area due to potential smoke impacts on highway 191, and to be alert for fire traffic. Road closures remain in place on Forest Road 25 and other roads in the fire area.

 Road and area closures:  Forest Road 25 remains closed along with additional closures on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, the San Carlos Apache Reservation, and the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Visit the Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb page for a map and details.

Fire restrictions:  The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is currently in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in order to reduce human-caused fires and protect public safety.  San Carlos Apache Reservation implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on April 17, 2018.  Modified Stage 2 Fire Restrictions continue on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5740) – BIA Fort Apache Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/ – Stage 1 Fire Restrictions https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/fire/?cid=fseprd538403 – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality https://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx

Location: Southeast of Whiteriver
Acres: 25,966
Containment: 63%

Team transition: Yesterday the Rattlesnake Fire transitioned from the Incident Management Team 5, IC Jeff Andrews, to two Type 3 Incident Management Teams, IC Chris Johnson and IC Keith Burnett.

Fire activity: The northern half of the fire is in the monitoring phase and fire activity is minimal.  The spot fire near highway 191 that started last Tuesday is secure and crews continue to mop up any remaining hot spots. As a contingency measure, a structural protection plan has been completed for the Hannagan Meadow Lodge which is roughly three miles northeast of the Rattlesnake Fire. The number of personnel assigned to the fire will continue to decrease as needs dictate. The Type 3 Team Information Officers will continue to update information daily to the communities.

Weather: A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for today due to strong gusty winds, up to 35 miles per hour, and expected low relative humidity. Temperatures over the next few days are expected to drop, with snow in the forecast for next Wednesday.

Safety: Residents are reminded to drive with caution in the fire area due to potential smoke impacts on highway 191, and to allow for fire traffic as some crews are being demobilized and headed home. Continue to be vigilant in your communities. Conditions right now are equal to fire season in late June. Be prepared and have a plan for you, your family and your animals in case you would need to leave your home.

 Road and area closures:  Closures are in place on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, White Mountain Apache Reservation and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.  Visit the Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb page for details. 

Fire restrictions:  The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is currently in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in order to reduce human-caused fires and protect public safety.  San Carlos Apache Reservation implemented Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on April 17, 2018.  Modified Stage 2 Fire Restrictions continue on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

InciWeb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5740) – BIA Fort Apache Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/ – Stage 1 Fire Restrictions https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/fire/?cid=fseprd538403 – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality https://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx