For Immediate Release

Holbrook, AZ- On Monday, July 1, 2024, the White Mountain Fire Coordinating Group met to discuss the current fire restrictions. Upon review of current conditions, it was determined that the unincorporated areas of Apache and Navajo Counties, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, State Trust lands and BLM, the cities/towns of Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside will rescind all fire restrictions beginning Monday, July 1, 2024 at 5 p.m.

At this time the White Mountain Apache Reservation remains in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions until the White Mountain Tribal Government is able to meet and confirm the recommendation by the BIA-Ft. Apache Agency to return to Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

The decision to rescind fire restrictions included the analysis of several key data points including the energy release components (ERC) of the fuels in the region. The ERC is valuable in determining fire danger because it acts as a fuel moisture index for all types of live and dead fuels. It tells fire managers how hot and fast the fuels will burn. The ERC’s are now in approximately the 50^th percentile or lower which is a good indicator of the fuel moisture content. Another key data set is the number of fires (human or natural caused) throughout the region, which have been minimal in previous weeks. In addition, the 6 to 10- day and monthly weather outlooks are also a deciding factor in restrictions and the projected weather forecast is for monsoon activity to continue across North Eastern Arizona. Finally, the group also assessed the availability of resources that would be called upon should a fire start.

All these pieces come together to form the deciding factors in entering or lifting fire restrictions and is a coordinated, regional effort. That being said, even with increased moisture across the region and more forecast in the future, it is imperative that our community members and visitors stay vigilant and follow good land stewardship practices that will ensure our forests, homes and businesses are protected year-round. Therefore, we ask that our residents and visitors continue to practice fire safety with campfires and debris burning. Never leave a fire of any kind unattended. When extinguishing any fire, be sure to drown it with water, stir the water in, and feel the area with the back of your hand for any heat, repeating as necessary to ensure the fire is completely out.

The White Mountain Fire Coordinating Group would like to thank all of our residents and visitors for their compliance to fire restrictions, together we are able to keep our communities safer.

To stay up to date on all fire restrictions, please visit 311info.net and click on the Fire Restrictions tab or contact your local fire department/district.

Foote Fire Update

Monday, June 24, 2024

Location of Origin: 12 miles south of Alpine
Size: 4,553 acres
Start Date: June 14, 2024
Percent Contained: 0
Cause: Lightning/Natural
Fuels: Timber, brush, and grass
Personnel: 103
Resources Assigned: 4 Crews, 1 Helicopter, 1 Dozer, 1 Brush Chipper

The Foote Fire is located in the Blue Range Primitive Area and is being managed under a confine-contain strategy, in rugged and inaccessible terrain. Due to recent precipitation and higher relative humidities, the fire is exhibiting low fire intensity. Yesterday’s aerial Infrared flight revealed the only activity was along the northwest portion of the fire, and not actively moving down towards U.S. Highway 191. The Foote Fire will transfer command from the Type 3 Incident Management Team to a Type 4 organization at 7 a.m. on June 26, 2024. This will be the final update on the Foote Fire unless fire activity and weather conditions warrant.

Operations: Firefighters are chipping slash along Forest Road 567, and all planned dozer lines have been put in place. Weather: Today’s forecast calls for partly sunny skies, with a high near 85, and southeast winds of 5 to 7 mph. There is a 70% chance for thunderstorms in the afternoon with potential for strong, erratic outflow winds and lightning. Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions.

Smoke: The public can expect to see smoke in the immediate future, and there is a potential for a U.S. Highway 191 closure in the coming days to provide for the safety of the crews working along the highway edge, as well as for public safety due to smoke impacts along the highway. All areas within proximity of the fire can be impacted by smoke, depending on wind directions and ventilation. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community.

Evacuations: None at this time, and no structures are currently threatened.

Foote Fire Update

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Location of Origin: 12 miles south of Alpine
Size: 2,000 acres (approximately)
Start Date: June 14, 2024
Percent Contained: 0
Cause: Lightning/Natural
Fuels: Timber, brush, and grass
Personnel: 64
Resources Assigned: 2 Crew, 1 Helicopter, 1 Dozer

The Foote Fire continues to burn in remote terrain in the Blue Range Primitive Area, consuming dead and down fuels with low to moderate intensity. Fire growth has been moderate with overnight spread to the northwest and southeast. Fire managers expect occasional torching and small fire runs when the fire reaches pockets of heavier fuel loading. The fire edge is currently about 12 miles south of Alpine, one mile east of the Josh Ranch, and approximately three miles east of Blue, AZ.

Operations: Firefighters are currently preparing US Highway 191 and FR 567 for use as containment lines. One helicopter is currently assigned and is being utilized for aerial observation to track the fire spread and behavior. Values at risk include three private homes along the FR 567, and crews are constructing fire line around the private property for protection, utilizing a dozer.

Weather: Today’s forecast calls for windy terrain influenced southeasterly flow sunny skies, with a high near 87. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. Chances for thunderstorms increase Thursday afternoon, with potential for strong, erratic outflow winds and lightning. This increasing moisture will begin to raise minimum and overnight relative humidities starting tomorrow night.

Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Expect Stage 2 Restrictions by the weekend. Learn more at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices/…

Smoke: The public can expect to see smoke in the immediate future, and there is a potential for a US Highway 191 closure in the coming days to provide for the safety of the crews working along the highway edge, as well as for public safety due to smoke impacts along the highway. All areas within proximity of the fire can be impacted by smoke, depending on wind directions and ventilation. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community.

Evacuations: None at this time

Official fire information can be found on these sites:• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf