Pilot Fire Fact Sheet
Summary: Crews successfully establishing containment line around much of the fire utilizing hand tools and firing operations. Today, a Large Air Tanker (LAT) and Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) assisted with suppression work by dropping retardant on the northern flank. The use of retardant helps slow the fire's progression so hand crews can construct containment line along a nearby two-track road. Fire spotted over that road, but crews were quick to pick it up. That side of the fire continues to remain active as it burns within a mixed fuel type of juniper and brush. Crews are working to keep the northern flank of the fire from moving toward Cow and Trout Creeks. Activity is increasing on the east side of the fire as it backs down into Pine Canyon. Due to the terrain, it is being monitored by aircraft and a UAS platform. The steep and treacherous terrain makes it too risky to send crews in to engage currently, Crews may have to wait until the fire comes out of that terrain and into flat country to begin suppression work. On the southwest flank, the fire pushed back toward Adobe Creek, but resources are working to establish containment line by tying it in with an existing road to keep the fire from pushing toward the Francis Creek-area. Along the west side, the fire is remaining within its primary containment line. Today, four engines arrived to the incident with an additional one on order. Aircraft including LATs, SEATs, helicopters and the state's Air Attack (AA) platform are assigned to the incident and will be used as needed. Firefighter safety is our number one priority therefore a Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) team and a Line Medics Team with UTVs are on the ground supporting firefighters. Due to the vast terrain and long drive times to get to fire lines and the Incident Command Post, logistical support has been critical. Drive times to get to the fire lines in some areas can take as long as five hours. Meals and necessary supplies will be dropped in via helicopters to crews spiked out on the fire line.
Resources and Personnel Assigned: 162 Type 1 Hand Crew (HC): 2, Type 2-IA HC: 3, Type 2 (HC): 1, Type 3 Helo: 1, Single Engine Air Tankers: 2
Weather: Hot and dry conditions with breezy southwest winds.
Incident Information:
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Smoke Forecast: https://www.azdeq.gov/wildfiresmokeforecast?fire=pilotfire
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aza5s-pilot-fire
Twitter: @azstateforestry: https://twitter.com/azstateforestry
Facebook: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management: https://www.facebook.com/arizonaforestry