Emergency Bulletins

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Valentine Fire Update: Residents in Gordon Canyon, 13 Ranch, The Cove in SET status
9/18/2023 - 7:57 am
wildfire | smoke | Valentine Fire | Gordon Canyon | 13 Ranch | The Cove | SET status | Ready Set Go | Young Payson | Tonto National Forest

Chamberlain Trail Road (FSRD 200) is closed until 6 p.m. on September 30, 2023 for firefighter and public safety. The communities of Gordon Canyon, 13 Ranch, and The Cove are in SET status. For more information on Ready, Set, Go, please visit: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.

Operations: Yesterday, crews on the northwest end of the fire conducted some hand ignitions, moving west towards the Chamberlain Trail (FSRD 200) building depth; however, conditions were limiting. Tactical firing operations were performed down the...

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Valentine Fire: Firefighter Safety Takes Priority: Chamberlain Trail Road Closed for Controlled Ignitions Until End of Month
9/17/2023 - 10:11 am
wildfire | smoke | Valentine Fire | Payson | Young | Tonto National Forest

On Saturday, favorable conditions allowed for ongoing tactical firing operations to contain a wildfire, and these operations will continue today. However, Chamberlain Trail Road (FSRD 200) will be temporarily closed until September 30, 2023, at 6 p.m., prioritizing firefighter and public safety during these operations.

Operations: Crews continued with tactical firing operations along the southern edge of the fire. With forecasted favorable conditions for today crews will continue with tactical firing operations which include ground resources conducting hand firing...

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Valentine Fire Update: Crews Seize Drying Opportunity to Test Fuel Consumption and Plan Aerial Ignitions
9/16/2023 - 9:30 am
wildfire | smoke | Valentine Fire | Payson | Young | Tonto National Forest

As drying conditions persist through the weekend, Valentine Fire crews are actively assessing fuel consumption and strategically planning for both hand and aerial ignition operations, with Friday's activities revealing drier conditions in certain ridges compared to drainages, whilw Saturday's focus remains on continued fuel consumption testing and identifying favorable opportunities for aerial ignitions along the western ridges

Operations: Friday, crews on the western border of the fire went in to test consumption of fuels with hand ignition. Some of the ridges...

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Community Meeting Tonight: Tonto National Forest Fire Team Provides Updates on Valentine Fire's Persistence
9/15/2023 - 8:31 am
wildfire | smoke | Valentine Fire | Payson | Young | Tonto National Forest

Despite recent rain, the Valentine Fire persists with smoldering and creeping in its Southeast section, prompting the Tonto National Forest Type 3 Fire Management Team to schedule a community meeting tonight at 6 pm MST at the Young Community Center for updates, while hand crews and aerial resources will maintain firing operations as conditions dry up today.

Operations: Yesterday, crews checked the moisture received from the previous rain. Even with the rain, the fire is continuing to creep and smolder in the Southeast section. On FSRD 411, the top duff layer was dry...

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Valentine Fire: Rain Hinders Efforts, Roads Deemed Hazardous for Crews
9/14/2023 - 9:20 am
wildfire | smoke | Valentine Fire | Payson | Young | Tonto National Forest

On Wednesday, firefighting crews were unable to work on the fire line due to the rainfall that occurred on Tuesday night. Instead, key personnel were dispatched to inspect the road conditions to assess their suitability for crew operations. It was concluded that the roads were in such a hazardous state that sending crews along them would pose a risk of ecological damage.

Operations: Crews were kept off the fire line on Wednesday due to the rain fall Tuesday night. Key personnel were out checking road conditions for crews. It was determined that the roads were too...

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