Cloud cover helps moderate fire behavior, creating favorable conditions for tactical firing operations. Chances of wetting rains tomorrow increase which may stall hand and aerial ignitions.
Operations: Sunday, crews were able to progress down the FSRD 411 C powerline access road, filling interior pockets using both hand and aerial ignitions. Conditions allowed crews to complete more work west of Colcord lookout to the FSRD 411, where they worked on creating depth as ground fuels had dried enough from previously received moisture. Today, crews will monitor and continue tactical firing operations as weather conditions allow. Prep work on the northwestern perimeter of the fire area
will be ongoing.
Fire Ecology: One of the important objectives in a first entry burn is to decrease 'ladder fuels'. Ladder fuels are shrubs, young trees, and tree branches near the ground which allow fire to burn up into tree canopies. The Valentine fire is currently burning under conditions that are allowing it to remove a lot of the ladder fuels. This means that when subsequent fires burn through the area, they will be much less likely to burn up into the trees.
Weather: The fire area received some scattered showers yesterday which did not impact firing operations. Today, there is an increased chance for cooler temperatures and higher humidity. Chances of widespread, wetting rains will increase overnight and through tomorrow. Wetter conditions and cooler temps can be expected through Wednesday.
Closures: An emergency closure order for the Valentine Fire has gone into effect as of 6 a.m. Sept. 5, 2023. The public is asked to avoid the fire area. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. Signs and gates will be in place to remind the public not to enter the fire area. Please visit the Alerts and Notices page for more information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters, and the public are always the highest priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.
Smoke: The fire will produce considerable amount of smoke due excessive fuel accumulation. Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures an interactive smoke map at
https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.
Fire details:
Information fire information:
Tonto National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/fire
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/aztnf-valentine-fire
Fire Email: [email protected]
Fire Information Line (928)-421-4579
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00PM