Cave Creek

The Tonto National Forest in coordination with federal, state, and local partners will terminate the current Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective July 21, 2021 at 8 a.m. due to reduced fire danger.

The restrictions were implemented to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and elevated fire weather conditions.

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 will transfer command of the Middle Fire back to the Tonto National Forest at 6 a.m. on Friday, July 16, 2021. This is the final update from the Type 2 Incident Management Team. The Team extends its sincere thanks to the local communities for their support and hospitality throughout this incident.

Highlights: Cooperation between firefighters and local resource advisors is helping the incident management team meet resource objectives and agency expectations. During each shift, land management professionals from the Tonto National Forest are providing fire managers with insights on how to meet objectives effectively while serving the public and protecting values at risk. Under the guidance of the local agency, one of the objectives developed for the Middle Fire is to minimize impacts to heritage, natural, recreation, watershed and wildlife values.

At the direction of the local agency, fire managers are using modified suppression tactics that focus on completion of incident objectives rather than full containment of the fire. Percent completion is measured by the progress made toward meeting established incident objectives. The primary objective of the Middle Fire is to maintain firefighter and public safety by making sound risk management decisions and actions.

Firefighters are working toward completion of incident objectives, with a focus on providing protection for structures and areas of high value. Yesterday, fire managers flew into the fire area to assess structures that could be impacted by the fire, including private ranches. Firefighters created defensible space around a critical piece of U.S. Forest Service communications equipment by removing flammable vegetation around the area. Defensible space provides a buffer that will help stop or slow fire progression to protect these values

The Midway Fire was reported Tuesday afternoon and is burning 9 miles east of Horseshoe Reservoir in the Mazatzal Wilderness area. The lightning-caused fire was active this afternoon, burning in steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain.

Fire resources are scouting potential containment lines. Access to this part of the forest is extremely difficult and crews are working to identify areas where they can be successful in suppressing the fire. Smoke will be visible from the north Scottsdale communities and the State Route 87 corridor.

A passing thunderstorm ignited five fires Tuesday afternoon in the northern portion of the Cave Creek Ranger District. Firefighters are assessing values at risk in the area such as ranches and powerline infrastructure. Access to this part of the forest is extremely difficult and crews are working to identify areas where they can be successful in suppressing these fires.

MIDDLE FIRE: 28 miles northeast of Cave Creek, AZ  Size: 300 acres