West Fire: 0% Contained, 10 Acres Burning Near Pine, AZ—Firefighters Focus on Protecting Key Infrastructure and Communities
The West Fire is a lightning-caused wildfire that is currently burning four miles northeast of Pine, Arizona. The fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy with the goal of reintroducing fire into a fire dependent ecosystem. The intended result of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions and restore ecological balance. This will decrease unnaturally high accumulations of fuels and the potential for future fires to burn with unnaturally high severity in support of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.
Operations: Firefighter efforts will continue to evaluate and improve firelines with a focus on the protection of values at risk (VAR). Values at risk include the private lands and the communities of Camp Geronimo, Geronimo Estates, Bray Creek Ranch and Pine. Infrastructure values at risk include powerlines, Coconino Forest Service Road (FSR) 300, Coconino FSR 218, State Route 87 and Tonto FSR 64. Natural and cultural resource VARs include range infrastructure, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, recreation, and other environmental and social values.
Weather: Today, a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms are forecasted for the afternoon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. East winds 5 to 7 mph becoming southeast in the morning.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 59 degrees. Light east wind.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.
Fire details:
- Size: 10 acres
- Cause: Lightning
- Containment: 0%
- Total personnel: 20
- Start Date: August 28, 2024
- Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
- Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral
Smoke: Smoke from the West Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.
For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.
