Apache-Sitegreaves National Forests

The Bringham fire transitioned today from the Type 2 Southwest Incident Management Team 4 to the White Mountain Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Matt Bullmore. The White Mountain Zone Team managed the Bringham fire in the early days of the incident and will continue to build upon the valuable work that the Type 2 Team accomplished.

Thunderstorms continued to affect the fire area yesterday, bringing gusty outflow winds and an abundance of lightning in the afternoon and early evening hours. Red Flag conditions are expected today from 10:00AM to 8:00PM, with sustained ridgetop winds from 23-26 miles per hour (MPH) and wind gusts up to 40 MPH. In the fire environment, the early afternoon hours are the most volatile time of day when increased temperatures can intensify fire behavior.

 All offices of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will be closed on Monday, May 28, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Business will resume Tuesday, May 29, during regular operating hours. Despite the office closure, fire and recreation personnel and law enforcement officers will be on duty over the Memorial Day weekend for the safety of visitors.

Forest officials expect large numbers of visitors to the most popular campgrounds and picnic areas throughout the holiday weekend.  The following are tips for safe and enjoyable weekend outings.

The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for Tuesday, May 22 from 12 pm to 7 pm for portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) and parts of eastern Arizona due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Relative humidity levels are expected to drop into the single digits and wind gusts are expected to be between 20 to 30 mph over the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim Country.

The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for Thursday, April 19 for the all of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and most of the state of Arizona due to strong winds and low relative humidity.

Only the National Weather Service can issue a Red Flag Warning. The term Red Flag Warning is used by fire weather forecasters to alert fire personnel and the public of potential extreme and critical fire weather due to high winds and low relative humidity. Red Flag Warnings are issued when the ALL of the following criteria are met:

Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented at 1:00 a.m. Monday, April 23, on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires. 

The Alpine Ranger District on the Apache Sitgreaves National Forests will be conducting approximately one mile of roadside pile burning along forest roads 403, 403F and Highway 191, starting October 31 and continuing through November 9, weather permitting. The burn consists of old decadent slash piles left over from the Wallow salvage sale, which will be burned to allow for the regeneration of new seedlings and/or native grasses.

Fire Information Update Yesterday: Preparations for burnouts continued along U.S. Highway 191. Fire personnel continued to mop up along the Highway. A type 3 Helicopter was utilized to slow the fires spread northward towards the Highway, and southward towards Rose Peak. Fire progression was minimal yesterday due to an increase in humidity, and precipitation from afternoon thunderstorms.

Location:

§ Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

§ Coconino County, Arizona

§ 16 miles west of Heber, AZ and 4 miles north of Forest Lakes

Start Date: June 02, 2017 Percent contained: 10%

Size: Approximately 2500 acres Personnel Assigned: 239

Cause: Lightning Growth Potential: Moderate

Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer with litter and understory

Location:

• Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
• Coconino County, Arizona
• Approximately 4 miles north of Forest Lakes near Chevelon Canyon

Start Date:  June 02, 2017                                                                 Percent contained:  0%

Size:  Approximately 700 acres                                                          Personnel Assigned: 227