Fire personnel are monitoring the Turkey Fire on the Springerville Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The Turkey Fire is located about 4 miles south of Big Lake, between forest service road 68 and Home Creek. Fire size is estimated at 1/10th acres. The lightning-caused fire was first observed on July 22, 2023, and is spreading at a low rate in heavy dead and down fuels from the Wallow Fire of 2011. A local fire crew and a type 6 engine are assigned to the incident. Fire personnel are assessing roads and natural barriers for containment options. Due to the terrain and remote location of this fire in the Wallow Fire area, fire managers are monitoring the fire due to safety concerns for firefighters working in previously burned areas full of dead-standing trees.
Smoke is expected to be visible in the coming days 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.