Official fire update ****6/24/2016 at 1:19 pm****
There are no new updates regarding the fire at this time.
The 311 call center is closing. For fire related questions you can call 928-531-7818.
There will be a press conference at Show Low High School at 3:00 pm today regarding the lifting of the pre-evacuation notice.
Official press release ****6/24/16 at 11:36 am****
PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS LIFTING THE PRE-EVACUATION NOTICE FOR NON-TRIBAL AREAS
Law Enforcement officials from the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office, Show Low Police Department, and the Pinetop-Lakeside Police Department are lifting the Pre-evacuation notice that has been in effect throughout Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside. This decision comes after consultation with Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team (2). While the Cedar Fire is still active, the conditions that were present to cause law enforcement officials to enact the pre-evacuation have subsided. This covers the communities of Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and all unincorporated areas of Navajo County that are non-tribal. For the communities on the White Mountain Apache reservation, Tribal authorities will make their own decision on when notices will be lifted.
US Highway US 60 will remain closed at this time.
White Mountain residents and visitors are reminded to be vigilant as to the existing forest conditions in our surrounding communities, which are currently in Stage 1 fire restrictions.
The following acts are prohibited until further notice:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire unless noted in the exemptions below.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
3. Use of any and all fireworks.
4. Use of explosive targets.
5. Use of tracer round ammunition.
Exceptions:
1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Fires used only for the cooking of food or for providing warmth for human beings or recreational purposes (campfires and charcoal fires) in an area that is designated for that purpose and is barren or cleared of all debris.
3. Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
4. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
5. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
6. All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.
7. Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.
As a community, we extend our appreciation and eternal gratitude to John Pierson and his team for their professionalism and excellent work under the toughest conditions. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to fight the Cedar Fire and protect our communities.
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office reminds people with any information on a crime to contact WETIP at 800-78CRIME or contact the Sheriff’s Office at (928)532-6060 or (928)524-4050. Callers may request to remain anonymous.
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Official fire update *****6/24/2016 at 9:06 am*******
The fire is approximately 45,918 acres with 42% containment and 979 Personnel working it.
Significant progress was made Thursday in containing the Cedar Fire. Containment jumped to 42% as several additional miles of fire line, on both the south and north sides of the fire, were determined by fire officials to be secure. At the same time, officials are expressing concern about the possible convergence of monsoonal rains and the fire’s after-effects.
A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been evaluating the fire’s impact on the Cedar Creek, Cedar Canyon, and Long Tom drainages. Well over 50% of the drainages suffered severe fire effects, and the BAER team has determined that the volume of water carried by all three drainages will increase substantially. The Cedar Creek drainage is of highest concern, however, because of the high percentage of burned area. The BAER team, in collaboration with the White Mountain Apache Tribe and Navajo and Gila Counties, is evaluating possible mitigating and/or emergency actions that can be taken in the very short term as well as over the next several months to ensure the safety of the residents of Cedar Creek and Carrizo.
On Thursday, despite consistent winds from the west pushing the fire against the southeastern fire break, firefighters backed by aircraft were able to hold the line.
Firefighters will change tactics today along the southeast flank. They will “go direct”, meaning they will build fire-line directly against the fire’s edge. If they are able to complete all four miles of line, they will be able to connect Road B-33 with the contained portion of line north of the Cedar Creek community.
The fire along the western line is not advancing because the fuels are scattered and scarce, the wind is pushing back into the burned area, and because fire in general backs downhill more slowly.
Pre-evacuation notices remain in effect, and officials will meet today to discuss their continuation.
Announcements:
SR-60 between Carrizo and Show Low remains closed to travelers due to smoke conditions and firefighters actively working near the roadway. SR-73 through Whiteriver remains open from Carrizo to Hon-Dah.
Suspected Unmanned Aerial Systems (commonly known as drones) were detected in the southern end of the fire on Thursday. Drone use is illegal within the no-fly zone surrounding the fire, and may cause the shut down all air operations in the fire suppression effort.
All pre-evacuations are still in effect. If an evacuation notice is given, the evacuation sites will be Round Valley Middle School in Eagar via SR 73 and then SR 260 east. There is also an evacuation site at Holbrook High School to the north. Livestock may be taken to Round Valley Rodeo Grounds, the Holbrook Fairgrounds, and the Taylor Rodeo Complex.