This will be the final daily update for the West fire unless significant activity occurs. Any additional updates will be posted on Inciweb. Today, crews completed equipment removal from the fire area. The Burned Area Emergency Response team will conduct an assessment of needs for natural resources in the fire area. Crews will continue to actively monitor and patrol the fire. Smoke will be visible within the fire’s perimeter as unburned fuels slowly burn until a significant weather event occurs.
Weather: Today, mostly sunny with a 20% chance of showers, high...
Emergency Bulletins
9/30/2024 - 10:57 am
9/29/2024 - 12:21 pm
Fire managers would like to remind the public that FSR 64 (Control Road) in the fire area is currently open to residents only and to please use caution when operating any vehicle near the fire. The task of returning fire supplies from the line will be completed today. Heavy equipment will work on the western edge of the fire, repairing the line after fire activity. Smoke will be visible as the fire slowly consumes unburned fuel within the perimeter until the area receives significant rainfall. Fire crews will continue to monitor and patrol fire activity.
Weather:...
9/28/2024 - 2:52 pm
Fire managers on the Williams Ranger District are planning to kick off the 2024 fall prescribed fire season the first week of October, likely starting with the Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project located just north of the City of Williams and Interstate 40, south of forest road 124, between Airport Road and the west side of Highway 64. Pending favorable conditions, crews anticipate beginning ignitions on Monday September 30th. This project has been active since 2019 and managers are hopeful to complete the final three units totaling just under 3000 acres in approximately...
9/28/2024 - 12:04 pm
Yesterday, Gila County Division of Emergency Management lowered evacuation levels around the fire to READY status, meaning be aware of hazards and have a plan in the event of an evacuation order. Crews monitored fire burning in the interior, naturally cleaning up remaining fuel on the ground. Work to return fire equipment and supplies from the line continues and is expected to be complete by September 29. Fire managers met with the Burned Area Emergency Response team members to begin the work of preparing for possible erosion and needed repairs to the fire area. Today, crews will...
9/27/2024 - 11:37 am
West Fire | Type 3 team | fireline work | smoke | ash | Pine | Geronimo Estates | aerial ignition | unburned fuels | equipment backhaul | dozer line | hand line | 646 Road | fire damage | nighttime flames | evacuation status | fire repair.
Operations: The Gila County Sheriff’s Office and fire management team members assessed evacuation levels for Pine and Geronimo Estates and have downgraded them to READY as of today, September 27. Fire personnel will continue to monitor the fire and ignitions have ceased. Expect interior burning and smoke as fuels dry during the weekend. Fireline repair continues in order to prevent user-created trails where hand crews and equipment have disturbed soils. Crews will remove hazard trees today along FSR 64 to enhance firefighter and public safety when the road reopens....
