Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

Discovered:  May 2, 2019 

Location: Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

• Approximately 3 miles southwest of Heber Overgaard 

Size: 503 acres Percent Containment: 60%

Cause: Natural    Personnel Assigned: 30                          

Incident Commander: Joshua Salazar

The Black Mesa Ranger District plans to conduct a prescribed burn within the Heber-Overgaard Green Waste Site on Forest Road 488F Rd in Township 12N, Range 17 East, and Section 16 starting Monday, October 15, just north of Overgaard on State Highway 277. Smoke will be seen from Highways 260, 277, and 377 and will have light to moderate impacts to Heber and those highways throughout the week but should decrease significantly each evening after the primary ignition occurs.

The 377 Fire is 70 percent contained at 4,514 acres in size. The fire was human-caused. 63 personnel are assigned to the 377 Fire.

Summary: The 377 Fire was first reported at 1:26 p.m. Monday afternoon as 15 individual ignitions along a 21 mile stretch of state highway.  The spot fires ignited within forested land quickly grew together and consumed 4,514 acres of pinyon-juniper vegetation before sundown on Monday. A robust initial attack resulted in a halt of forward fire progression by Monday evening. 

The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for Thursday May 17 from 11 am to 7 pm for all of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) and most 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 30 to 40 mph over the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim Country.

Due to increasing drought conditions and high to very high fire danger across the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs), area closures will be implemented in some parts of the forest. Areas outside of the closures with remain in Stage II Fire Restrictions.

Closure areas are decided upon by district and forest leadership with the primary objective of providing protection to communities at risk of wildland fire. Prevailing southwest winds are consistent to areas within the geographical location of the ASNFs and will play a role in determining locations of area closures.

The Wood Fire is burning northwest of Woods Canyon Lake. Saturday, crews continued to wrestle high winds for control of the fire, not only succeeding in holding the lines but achieving 25% containment. 

Today crews are focused on strengthening the lines where the fire is most active, and mopping up along containment lines.  Lower wind speeds and cooler temperatures are providing relief and facilitating the crews in their efforts.

The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING and/or a Fire Weather Watch for Thursday and Friday, May 10 and 11 for all of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) and most of the state of Arizona due to strong winds and low relative humidity.

To protect public health and safety due to increasing fire danger, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) will implement stage II fire restrictions effective Friday, May 4, at 12:01 a.m. These additional fire restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire. No campfires are allowed until stage II fire restrictions are lifted.

Stage II fire restrictions prohibit the following:

Due to increasing fire danger and for public safety, the entire Coconino and Prescott National Forests, as well as the South Kaibab portion of the Kaibab National Forest, will implement Stage II Fire Restrictions effective this Friday (May 4) at 8 a.m. The North Kaibab portion of the Kaibab National Forest will remain unaffected for now.