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

For Immediate Release 6/17/2024

Holbrook, AZ- The White Mountain Fire Coordinating group met today to discuss current conditions of the forest as well as the surrounding communities and have made the decision to enter into Stage 2 fire restrictions due to an increase in temperatures and continued drying conditions. The following actions were determined:

• The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning Friday, June 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
• State Trust lands and BLM will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning Friday, June 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
• Navajo and Apache Counties will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning Friday, June 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
• The cities/towns of Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
• Fort Apache will enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.

Please remember, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions apply to EVERYONE, to include both visitors and local residents.

Though Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are similar across each jurisdiction, we recommend that everyone review the restrictions ahead of time- Know Before You Go! For a list of fire restrictions in each jurisdiction, please go to 311info.net and click on the Fire Restrictions tab or contact your local fire department/district. The 311info.net website will also be used to provide information on regional fires and emergencies as they occur. 

Other locations around Arizona, such as Coconino and Tonto Forests (and more) are also entering into fire restrictions. It is your responsibility to know restrictions wherever you choose to recreate.  To check restrictions around the state visit the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention website at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions.  

Foote Fire Update

Monday, June 17, 2024

zLocation of Origin: 12 miles south of Alpine

Size: 1158 acres

Start Date: June 14, 2024

Percent Contained: 0

Cause: Lightning/Natural

Fuels: Timber, brush, and grass

Personnel: 55

Resources Assigned: 2 Crew, 1 Helicopter

Operations: Firefighters are currently on scene monitoring and assessing the fire we are looking at minimizing high fire severity burn by using fire in the right locations to maintain a low to moderate fire intensities in the vicinity of the fire. Crews continue prepping Forest Road 567 And Highway 191 corridor. The Foote fire behavior has been moderate to low burning naturally consuming down and dead fuels to ash. Currently no values are at risk. Th

e public is advised to drive with caution on Forest Road 567 and Highway 191 where fire personnel and vehicles are present. Starting today Monday June 17th, 2024, news releases will be posted every other day unless major changes.

Weather: Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies, with a high near 83. Southwest wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph with a Red Flag Warning in effect due to strong winds and low humidity

Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, learn more at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices/?aid=87925

Smoke: Communities of Alpine and Blue might be affected by smoke, Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding communities.

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