Horton Fire Update: Mop-Up and Repair Efforts Continue

Highlights:

Firefighters are focusing on mop-up operations and suppression repair throughout the fire-affected area. Crews are closely monitoring interior pockets of heat to ensure the fire remains within its current footprint. Visible smoke from unburned pockets of fuel within the fire's interior is expected. Monitoring and containment efforts continue along the SR-260 corridor.

Operations:

Crews are using heavy equipment to repair Forest Road 284, and monitoring continues on Forest Road 76 and SR-260. Backhauling of excess equipment and suppression repair operations are ongoing throughout the fire area. Efforts are being made to level berms and scatter cut vegetation in affected areas. Special attention is being given to popular trails, including Horton Creek and See Canyon trails, to ensure they are safe for future public use. Travelers along SR-260 are urged to remain cautious of fire traffic.

Weather:

Light winds and cool temperatures are expected over the next few days. Colder and gustier conditions are forecasted for areas along the rim compared to lower elevations

Smoke:

Smoke will remain visible as vegetation continues to burn within the interior of the fire's footprint. For additional details on local smoke impacts, visit Wildland Fire Smoke Outlooks.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR):

TFR 5/1983 remains in place through January 31, 2025, for the Horton Fire. Unauthorized flights over the area pose risks to firefighter safety and operations. Visit FAA TFR Information for more details.

Evacuations:

As of January 10, 2025, all communities have returned to READY evacuation status. Public safety remains a priority, and the public is advised to avoid the area while firefighting operations continue. For updates, visit Gila County Public Health & Emergency Management Facebook.

Forest Orders:

The forest closure order was updated on January 13, 2025, to reflect improved fire conditions. Forest Order 03-12-00-25-02 is in effect to ensure public safety and support firefighting efforts. For details, visit Tonto National Forest Alerts and Notices.

Road Closures:

For current roadway conditions and closures, visit the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Fire Details:

  • Size: 8,346 acres
  • Start Date: December 14, 2024
  • Cause: Under Investigation
  • Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
  • Containment: 80%
  • Personnel: 126
  • Fuels: Timber, chaparral
  • Resources: 2 crews, 5 engines, 1 helicopter, 1 bulldozer, 1 water tender

Information Links and Contacts:

Horton Fire Update 1_14_25
Source
Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3
January 14, 2025 - 11:30am
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