7/3/17
The Hilltop Fire is approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile from the Black River on San Carlos Reservation. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will be assuming control of the fire at 6:00 pm this evening. Cedar Creek and Canyon Day communities are still on pre-evacuation notice. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

White Mountain Apache Tribe Emergency Management has issued a pre-evacuation notice for the communities of Canyon Day and Cedar Creek due to the Hilltop Fire that began on San Carlos Apache Reservation. More information to follow.

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for Apache & Navajo Counties, Apache Sitgreaves National Forest and many jurisdictions in the White Mountains and surrounding communities. A brush fire was reported at 9:00 pm in Lakeside in a heavy grassy area. A burned consumer fireworks container was discovered in the burned area. A reminder that during stage 1 fire restrictions consumer fireworks are not allowed and fireworks are never allowed on National Forests. Stage 1 fire restriction also limit smoking to an enclosed building, vehicle or designated smoking area. Be safe this holiday weekend and keep our communities safe by observing the fire restrictions.

7/1/17 – 5:00 – The following press release has information regarding the fire that is putting up smoke and ash in the Pinetop-Lakeside area.

San Carlos, AZ – Low humidity, hot temperatures and breezy winds are expected to fuel more growth on the Hilltop fire this afternoon. The fire, currently burning on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, is approximately 2640 acres. Tribal and Federal fire fighters are working to keep the fire within existing fire lines on the south, east and west sides in order to protect commercial timber stands and other natural and cultural resources. Additional ground and air resources are being committed to the fire today in order to help meet those objectives.
Forest Road 1163 has been closed at its junction with the 1300/1100 Road due to fire activity.

Hilltop, and the smaller Gimme Fire, were both started by lightning on June 25. The Gimme Fire is not out but is completely contained at 432 acres.

Fire updates are now being published on Inciweb, the national fire information web page, at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5303/# A fire information line has also been set up at (928)-487-1031 and messages can be left at that number 24 hours a day.