Location of Origin: 15 miles northwest of Heber-Overgaard
Start Date: July 19, 2023
Size: 1,517 acres
Cause: Lightning/Natural
Percent Contained: 26
Personnel: 213
Fuels: Juniper, brush, and grass
Resources Assigned: 2 Crews, 4 Engines, 1 Helicopter, 1 Dozer, 1 Water Tender

Operations: The Guzzler fire has decreased in complexity and will transition on July 25th at 0700 from the White Mountain Zone Type 3 Team to a Type 4 Team with Incident Commander Wyatt Ellis and trainee Aaron Ballesteros. This will be the final update from the White Mountain Zone Type 3 Team unless conditions change. The fire received precipitation yesterday and potential for growth has moderated.

Evacuations: There are no evacuations currently. Residents in the Chevelon Canyon Ranches/Retreat areas have been returned to “READY” status. Go to https://311info.net/ for accurate and timely status updates.

Closures: There is a roadblock at the junction of Forest Service roads 504 and 153 and another at the junction of the 504 road and highway 191. Residents of Chevelon Canyon Ranches/Retreat are being allowed passage. There is no access on State Route 99 to Chevelon Crossing. Additional roads in the area may be restricted or closed depending on the operational needs of firefighters. The public is advised to avoid travel in the area, and to watch for fire personnel and heavy equipment.

Values at Risk: Multiple wind turbines to the north of the fire, KV powerlines to the east, Babbit Ranch, and threatened and endangered species in Chevelon canyon.

Weather: Today’s forecast calls for mostly sunny skies, then a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs are expected near 97 degrees with winds 5-10 mph.

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=81123.

Smoke: Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding communities.

Official fire information can be found on these sites:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azasf-guzzler-fire
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf

7/22/23 8:00 am – Residents in the Chevelon Ranches/Retreat areas have been returned to “READY” status today. Additional update for the fire will be shared as they are received from USFS Apache-Sitgreaves Forests.

Fact sheet for Thursday, July 20, 2023

Highlights: The fire transitioned to a Type 3 Incident Commander yesterday. Suppression personnel made good progress overnight with cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity.

Operations: Fire personnel are working through suppression tactics and balancing firefighter safety concerns in the area.A high priority for personnel is to keep the fire on the west side of Chevelon Canyon. Resources assigned to the fire include 5 hand crews, 4 dozers, 6 engines 2 water tenders, 3 helicopters, and miscellaneous overhead. Air tankers will be ordered as needed to assist suppression operations. Moderate movement is expected.

Evacuations: No evacuations. The areas of Chevelon Canyon Ranches/Retreat are currently on “SET “status. Please make sure your go kit is prepared, you have your important papers/documents gathered and you are following https://311info.net/ for accurate and timely status updates.

Closures: There is a roadblock at the junction of Forest Service roads 504 and 153. Residence of Chevelon Canyon Ranches/Retreat are being allowed passage. There is no access on State Route 99 to Chevelon Crossing.

Additional roads in the area may be restricted or closed depending on the operational needs of firefighters.

Avoid travel in the area if possible. If in the area, please watch for fire personnel and heavy equipment.

Weather: Expect warm, dry, and breezy today. Cloud cover and a chance of precipitation Friday. Weather information is available at https://www.weather.gov/fgz/

Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage I Fire and Smoking Restrictions, learn more at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices/?aid=81123
Information related to fire restrictions across public and private land can be found at: https://ein.az.gov

Smoke: Smoke is visible from the surrounding area. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs

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