July 27, 2023
12:10 p.m.

As fire suppression activities continue on the Cottonwood Ridge Fire, we want to ensure the safety of the community and all the firefighters on the ground and in the air fighting the various fires in our area. As fire crews are in the air, we want to emphasize that there is a no-fly zone around the Cottonwood Ridge Fire, including drones. If there are unauthorized flights in the area, air attack on the fire may be immediately shut down.

To ensure the safety of the ground personnel as well as that of the public, the Rim Road (300 Road) will be shut down at Highway 60, Rim Road at Juniper Ridge, and 1.5 miles south of Highway 260 on Joe Tank Road again today.

The Show Low and surrounding area is in Ready status.

The Ready, Set, Go program has been established to ensure the safety of the public for evacuation processes for all hazards that occur in the community. This is a reminder that every household should be in Ready status at all times. For more information please visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Again, we highly encourage our community members, both part-time and full-time as well as those visiting the area, to subscribe to the Ready Navajo County alerting system at https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612436/login

We extend our appreciation to the BIA-Fort Apache agency and all other fire suppression entities, law enforcement and volunteers for the work they have done to protect our communities.

Fire personnel on the Springerville Ranger District respond to the Carnero Fire
Crews working to suppress a fire 7 miles west of Springerville Arizona

SPRINGERVILLE, AZ – July 26, 2023 – Fire personnel are working to extinguish the Carnero Fire on the Springerville Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
The Carnero Fire is located about 7 miles west of Springerville north of State Route 260 between Forest Service Road (FSR) 118/ County Road 1325 and Forest Service Road 558. Fire size is estimated at 200 acres. The lightning-caused fire was first observed on July 26, 2023, and is spreading at a moderate rate in grass and pine. Four suppression crews, 2 engines, 1 dozer, and 2 helicopters are assigned to the incident. Air tankers are being ordered as needed.

Smoke is expected to be visible in the area as this fire continues to burn. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/

Further information will be provided as it becomes available. Visit the A-S National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs

Cottonwood Ridge Wildfire UpdateJuly 26, 2023

Quick FactsSize: 411 acres

Containment: 0%

Road Closures: None

Total Personnel: 52

Jurisdiction: Fort Apache Agency

Reservation: Fort Apache Indian Reservation

Start Date: July 23, 2023

Fire Cause: Lightning

Operational Update: Yesterday, there was a 10-acre slop over along Cottonwood Canyon on the east flank of the fire. Firefighters lined and secured the slop over. The retardant lines are holding the west and north flank of the fire. This morning, fire mangers flew the fire and observed that the fire was active in the northwest flank. Firefighters will work today to secure the fire and continue line construction where necessary. Air resources will continue to support the fire. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is on order to assume command of the Cottonwood Ridge, Spoon and Mustang Ridge fires on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation at 0600 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

Management Objective: Reduce fire size using aircraft, giving firefighters time to assess the fire landscape. Firefighters are working on full suppression tactics for this fire.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public should avoid the fire area.

Values at risk: Potential communities at risk include Linden to the north of the Cottonwood Ridge Fire, but it’s NOT an immediate threat at this time. Citizens should always be “Ready” for any emergency by having a kit, being on the Ready Navajo County Alert System (sign up here: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612436/login) and watch Fort Apache Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt for accurate information. Should the need arise to go into “SET”, an alert will be sent, as well as posts added to our social media and on www.311info.net. Highway 60 may be impacted and is located east of the fire.

Smoke: Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding communities and along Highway 60.Primary and Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs, White Mountain Apache Tribe, Navajo County, and US Forest Service.