9/16/16 7:52 am
Currently there are at least 2 fires that are visible from Heber/Overgaard and the smoke is extending all the way into town (light smoky smell in H-O but heavy smoke laying in Forest Lakes)
The Fulton Fire will greatly increase in size and smoke today as crews plan to begin back-burns to reinforce lines that have been put in place – Main values at risk are the Mogollon Rim Visitor’s Center and an APS distribution line. Both have protection measures employed. Back Burns are planned from the VIS today starting around 10:00 a.m. The Loner Fire is located approximately 1 mile south east of the Fulton Fire. It was putting up a fair amount of smoke yesterday as heavies were being consumed. From H-O the Fulton Fire and Loner fire look like one larger fire. This Fire is near a set of high KV powerlines and that is the only value at risk at this time.

The Sam Jim was putting up a good deal of smoke yesterday and could be easily seen from town. Smoke was laying down in patches all the way from Heber-Overgaard to the Rim yesterday afternoon. None of these fires are a risk or threat to communities but smoke will continue to be heavy through the weekend and into next week.

The Cat Fire is located off FR 122 at the edge of Wildcat Canyon, and I believe was about 30 acres yesterday.

The Oktoberfest is occurring in Overgaard this weekend. This is the second biggest event of the year in town so it will be busy.
ADOT is expecting traffic disturbances from the Fulton Fire due to heavy smoke. They may employ a pilot car through the smoke zone at times if necessary. Which will cause a significant delay along HWY 260 in the Woods Canyon Lake area.

Fulton Fire –
Forest Officials Announce Temporary Area Closure
For Fulton Fire Planning Area

PHOENIX, September 15, 2016 – For Immediate Release. The Tonto National Forest has established a temporary area closure over the Fulton Fire planning area located on the Payson and Pleasant Valley Ranger Districts due to wildland fire suppression operations.

The temporary area closure reduces the potential for National Forest visitors and the public to enter the Fulton Fire planning area while wildland fire suppression and emergency operations are taking place, ensuring public and firefighter safety.

Implementation of the temporary area closure will also protect firefighters and emergency responders throughout the course of the wildland fire incident management.

The Fulton Fire planning area will remain closed until October 31, 2016, or when wildland fire suppression operations have ceased and the temporary Area Closure Order is rescinded.

FULTON FIRE OVERVIEW / UPDATE
Start Date: September 12, 2016
Cause: Lightning
Location: Mogollon Rim, approximately 25 miles east of Payson, Arizona. Nearby communities include Forest Lakes Estates, Colcord Estates and Ponderosa Estates.
Current Size: Approximately 1 ½ acres

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Fuels: Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer
Incident Commander: William Dudley
Personnel: 165
Equipment/Resources: four hotshot crews; one Type 2 crew; five engines; two bulldozers; and one Type 3 helicopter.
Smoke: Medium to heavy
Summary: Eastbound State Route 260 between Christopher Creek and Forest Lakes will be reduced to one lane through September 25 due to smoke and to create a safer environment for firefighting efforts.
The Mogollon Rim Visitor Center on the Black Mesa Ranger District was closed beginning September 14 due to fire activity. Check the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Web site — http://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf — for visitor center updates.