The adage is true. One spark can start a wildfire – just like the Sawmill Fire in Southern Arizona.
And every year, people continue to be the number one cause of wildfires in the state.
With the abundance of winter moisture across Arizona, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management wants to remind people not to get complacent.
Sunday kicked off Southwest Wildfire Awareness Week with this year’s theme, ‘Prevention today for protection tomorrow.’
With fire severity extraordinarily high and much of Arizona in extreme drought conditions, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management will close state lands in two counties to recreational use.
As of 12:01 am, Friday May 18th, Stage III, or full closures, will be implemented on state-owned and managed lands in both Apache and Navajo Counties.
Effective Tuesday, May 1, the Bureau of Land Management Gila District, all districts of the Coronado National Forest, Saguaro National Park, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Tumacácori National Historical Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management will implement campfire and smoking restrictions in southeastern Arizona.
In accordance with Yavapai County Ordinance No. 2012-1, Section V. Yavapai County Board of Supervisor Chairman, Rowle Simmons has signed an interim order to enact a fire ban within Yavapai County.
This determination is based upon the implementation of fire restrictions by the following jurisdictions: Prescott National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, and local fire districts and fire departments which will be imposed on April 20, 2018, at 8:00 A.M.
Beginning April 20 campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented on state lands and federally managed public lands in central and western Arizona which includes Yavapai, Maricopa, La Paz Yuma, Mohave and Gila counties, as well as portions of Pinal county.
Camp Navajo Fire Department is responding to a fire that was initiated in the southwest corner of Camp Navajo near Volunteer Canyon. The Gate 13 Fire started Feb. 6 during demolition operations. The Gate 13 Fire is approximately 830-acres in an area that precludes active fire suppression and remains within the established containment lines.
Camp Navajo Fire Department and facility equipment operators have cut firebreaks around 98% of the fire in an effort to contain the fire to its current boundary.
A 60-acre fire burning west of Ash Fork and east of Seligman is producing intense amounts of smoke at times and first responders are urging drivers in the area to use caution.
The Crookton Fire, which started last week, is burning through wood debris at an old sawmill site. Those woodchip fuels are creating heavy smoke and forcing delays and closures of nearby roadways.
Due to widespread precipitation across the area, additional rain in the weather forecast, and a rise in fuel moistures, it has been determined that the likelihood of wildfire has lessened to the degree that the restrictions can be rescinded.
Acreage: 23,238 acres (estimated) Percentage of Containment: 0%
Date Reported: June 30, 2017 Cause of Fire: Under Investigation
Resources: 594 total personal including 14 crews, 33 engines, 19 water tenders, and 7 helicopters
Fuel Type: Tall Grass and Brush, with Ponderosa Pine and Mixed Conifer at higher elevations
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