BAER team

The Bringham Fire was ignited by lightning on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Clifton Ranger District on June 6, 2020. Conditions at the time were extremely dry, and the fire, burning in steep rugged terrain, quickly grew beyond the capacity of available firefighting resources. On June 7, the White Mountain Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Matt Bullmore, assumed command.

Yesterday’s Activity: Fire remains active in the areas south and west of Willow Canyon, and aviation assets were used to cool several areas that showed increased fire activity. Due to the extremely rugged terrain in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness and the lack of safety zones, fire managers have determined that it is unsafe for firefighters to make a direct attack on the fire in this area. Efforts are ongoing to keep the fire west of the Catalina Highway as it slowly moves south toward Windy Point.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been working to assess the condition of the watersheds that were burned in the Woodbury Fire. The BAER program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been working to assess the condition of the watersheds that were burned in the Woodbury Fire. The BAER program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources.

Woodbury Fire containment has increased to 80 percent. Helicopters and fire crews will continue to suppress hotspots internally. Current weather conditions continue to challenge firefighters. Smoke may be seen due to pockets of vegetation burning within the fire perimeter.

On June 29, significant precipitation fell in the Cedar Creek watershed, approximately that of a 25 year event. This tested the single-row of k-rails in place at the Cemetery.  Minor flooding occurred, which prompted specialists to install a secondary row of k-rails and sandbags should another large event occur. These rails and additional sandbags will enhance protection to the Cemetery.