Increased smoke from the Horton Fire may be visible in surrounding areas

The current Horton Fire incident management team will begin the processes of transitioning management of the Horton Fire to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 this weekend. Team 1 is scheduled to assume command of the fire early next week.

A community meeting is scheduled for at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 546 W Ashby Apple Dr., Payson, AZ 85541.

Operations: The Horton Fire increased to 969 acres and remains at 17% containment with the latest growth observed on the east flank of the fire, northeast of Horton Spring.

Yesterday, crews scouted along underpasses and roadways, continuing to strengthen control lines where needed.

Today, crews will patrol the area to monitor fire growth and complete additional prep work for values at risk including roadways, heritage sites and other infrastructure. Firefighters will initiate firing operations as needed to reduce threats to Forest Road 300, FR 76 and other values at risk. The Horton Fire continues to be managed as a full suppression fire.

Weather: Temperatures will range from the low-30s to mid-50s today with relative humidity dropping to 25-30% and light winds from 5-10mph. Light cloud cover is possible through Sunday.

Closures: An emergency closure order for the Horton Fire is in effect from Dec. 18, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025. The public is asked to avoid the fire area. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. Learn more at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

The Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery is also closed due to the Horton Fire.

Safety: The communities of Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery, and Zane Grey Cabins remain in SET evacuation status. The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.

Highway closures are not currently in effect due to the Horton Fire. Travelers are encouraged to monitor roadway status and conditions via AZ Department of Transportation at https://www.az511.com/.

Smoke: Increased smoke from the Horton Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. More information is available on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at https://www.azdeq.gov/.
 
Fire details:

  • Size: 969 acres
  • Start Date:  December 14, 2024
  • Cause: Human caused and under investigation
  • Containment: 17%
  • Total personnel: 160
  • Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
  • Fuels: Ponderosa: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chapparal

Information Links and Contacts:

  • Tonto National Forest  https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
  • InciWeb  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-horton-fire-2024
  • Fire Email [email protected]
  • Fire Information Line (602)-551-7327 • Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Source
Tonto National Forest
December 28, 2024 - 11:05am
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