Apache-Sitegreaves National Forests

Fire crews completed 1,209 acres of ignitions on the Dipping Vat prescribed fire on Nov. 8, 2023. Burn operations were successful in cleaning up the light to moderate understory, dead and down fuels, and debris from prior logging operations. Dipping Vat, part of the Lakeside East prescribed fire project area, was essential in reducing the risk of high-severity wildfires near adjacent communities in the Wildland Urban Interface.

The lightning-caused Fish Creek fire was discovered on Oct. 26, 2023, and has grown to 3,300 acres. The fire is burning with low intensity while consuming forest debris on the ground. Firefighters are monitoring the growth of this fire that is 32 miles southwest of Alpine, north of Forest Road 25U, south of the Black River, east of Forest Road 25, and west of the Fish Creek drainage.

Two lightning-caused wildfires are located in remote areas of the Alpine Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. They are the Fish Creek fire and the KP fire.

Fire managers and district rangers on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are tentatively planning to begin three prescribed fires the week of October 16. Crews are currently assessing weather and fuel conditions to determine whether they are within the criteria outlined in the prescribed burn plans. The projects will be canceled if fuel moisture, temperature, wind, or humidity are not within the burn plan prescription. The following projects are planned:
Black Mesa Ranger District

Fulton (1,838 acres) 

Fire managers are preparing to start the Carr Lake prescribed fire about 9 miles west of Forest Lakes. Operations on the 2,145-acre prescribed fire may begin Oct. 11 and continue until Oct. 15 depending on conditions onsite. 

Fire managers have completed ignitions on the 3,044-acre Pierce prescribed fire on the Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The focus now will be to patrol and monitor the fire until it’s declared out. The prescribed fire area is located 1.5 miles south of Heber-Overgaard off Forest Road 51.

To provide for public and firefighter safety, highway 191 is temporarily closed in both directions from mileposts 233 to 238. There is no estimated time to reopen the highway.

Weather: Today’s forecast calls for thunderstorms in the afternoon with a 30-60% chance of precipitation, highs in the low 70s, and winds 10-15 mph.

Values at risk: Sensitive species in surrounding areas, cattle and grazing areas, watersheds, riparian areas, impacts to Highway 191, Hannagan Lodge, and nearby electric powerlines.

Firing operations, which have been largely successful in recent days, have been completed on the Campbell fire. Despite some dust devil activity, there were no spot fires yesterday. Fire crews will continue to work on securing containment lines, mopping up remaining hot spots, and mitigating any threats to control features.  

Weather: Today’s forecast calls for sunny to partly sunny skies with a 40% chance of precipitation and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs are expected to be in the upper 80s with winds from 5 - 10 mph.  

Firing operations on the Campbell Fire were aided yesterday by favorable winds and timing of ignitions. A handful of small spot fires on the northwestern flank were readily responded to and corralled by firefighters. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) were deployed to drop Plastic Sphere Dispenser (PSD), which are ping-pong sized balls that ignite upon chemical reaction. PSDs were used to consume unburned pockets of fuel within the fire perimeter. Fire crews will work today to secure containment lines along highway 191 and to mitigate any threats or hazards.      

The Campbell fire is burning within the Wallow Fire footprint from 2011, which includes heavy dead and down fuels. This is a full suppression fire utilizing a confine and contain strategy to existing roads around the fire area. This will prioritize firefighter and public safety while conducting operations to contain the fire. Recent precipitation has moderated fire activity and growth over the last few days but is expected to diminish with today’s forecast which could increase fire behavior.