Location: Southeast of Whiteriver
Start date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Cause: Unknown/Under investigation
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and grass understory
Size: Approximately 760 acres (Fort Apache Indian Reservation: 600 acres, Apache-Sitgreaves NF/ San Carlos Indian Reservation: 160 acres)
Resources Assigned: Approximately 158 personnel
Percent Containment: 0%

Firefighters are still working to contain the Rattlesnake fire and strategy for the incident is full suppression. Yesterday, strong winds made containment progress slow. Fire crews completed control lines in the southwest section of the fire, securing it off of Rattlesnake point. Aircraft was grounded due to high winds. A spot fire was established on San Carlos Agency side of Black River in an isolated area.

Today, Crews will continue to prepare control lines along the north flank of the fire. Firefighters will construct indirect lines in the western flank of the fire. The high winds will continue to hamper containment progress.

A Red Flag warning is in effect from noon to 9:00 pm this evening. Today the winds will shift and will be coming from the north and northwest and pushing the fire in a south and southwesterly direction.

Several roads within the boundary of the Rattlesnake Fire will be closed: The Y79 road at the Y40 Junction and the 25F road at the Y40 junction. The public is asked to drive carefully and turn on their headlights if traveling on the Y40 road.

Modified Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Campfires will NOT be allowed during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and debris burning will be prohibited until further notice.

Anyone having information regarding the Rattlesnake Fire contact WE-TIP at 1-800-47ARSON (1-800-472-7766). Official incident information will be posted online at the Rattlesnake Fire InciWeb page (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5740) and BIA Fort Apache Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/).

RATTLESNAKE FIRE UPDATE: April 12, 2018

Location: Southeast of Whiteriver

Start date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Cause: Unknown/Under investigation

Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and grass understory

Size: Approximately 400 acres (385 acres of Fort Apache and 75 acres on ASNF)

Resources Assigned: 4 Type 1 Hotshot Crews, Cibecue Fuels Crew, Fort Apache Fuels Crew, 3 Water Tenders, 1 dozer, 2 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 3 Helicopter and misc. overhead.

Chris Johnson’s White Mountain Zone Type 3 Team will assume command of the Rattlesnake fire at 6:00 PM this evening. Last night, fire crews conducted burnout operations in the northwest corner of the fire. The fire held within the maverick burn block and the Wallow Fire area. The fire is moving in a northeast direction and backing into the canyon towards the Black River. Fire crews are working on two slop overs, in the southwest fire perimeter and the eastern flank.

Today;s weather forecast calls for red flag conditions from noon to 7:00 p.m. Campfires and debris burning will not be permitted during red flag conditions. In addition Industrial Contractors within the boundaries of the Reservation will be shut down.

Anyone having information regarding the Rattlesnake Fire contact WE-TIP at 1-800-47ARSON (1-800-472-7766).

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The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for Wednesday, April 11-12, 2018 until 8:00 PM.

Only the National Weather Service can issue a Red Flag Warning. The term Red Flag Warning is used by fire weather forecasters to alert fire personnel and the public of potential extreme and critical fire weather due to high winds and low relative humidity.

Red Flag Warnings are issued when all of the following criteria are met:

1. Wind speeds are expected to exceed 20 mph
2. Relative humidity is 15% or lower
3. Fire danger rating of High, Very High, or Extreme

On a Red Flay Day, the following restrictions go into effect:

1. Building, maintaining, or attending a fire or campfire, this includes use of charcoal. Use of liquid propane or pressurized fuel used for heating and cooking devices are permissible as long as it can be turned on and off, and is in an area devoid of flammable materials within a five foot radius.

2. Outside smoking unless your are in a vehicle, building, or a designated smoking area free of vegetation.

3. Vehicle use off roads or trails.

4. Driving a vehicle without an approved spark arresting device.

5. Operating an internal combustion engine (unless the equipment has an approved spark arresting device AND is in an area completely devoid of vegetation) i.e. chainsaws, generators, hot saws, skidders, and other recreational or industrial equipment.

6. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.