Gila County

The area’s extremely dry conditions and the potential for extreme fire behavior have warranted the decision to bring in the support of a Type 1 Incident Management Team. Logistical support required to support the firefighters working in terrain only accessible by helicopter also increased the complexity of the incident. The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team #2, lead by Incident Commander John Pierson, has taken command of the Polles Fire effective 6:00 a.m.

The Bush Fire remains 98% contained. Interior burning activity and smoke may be present until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team is working with the Tonto National Forest to transition management to the forest on July 2, 2020.

The Bush Fire remains 98% contained. Through the high winds yesterday the containment lines remained secure. Frequent ash whirls that looked like smoke were visible within the fire area; minimal smoke on the interior was observed. Interior burning activity and smoke may be present until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team is working with the Tonto National Forest to transition management to the forest in the coming days.

The Bush Fire remains 98% contained. A Red Flag Warning is again in effect over the fire area today bringing high and gusty winds with low relative humidity. Through the high winds yesterday the containment lines remained secure and minimal fire activity on the interior was observed. Interior burning activity and smoke may be present until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. Until then resources will continue to monitor and patrol the fire’s perimeter.

The Bush Fire remains 98% contained and acreage is 193,455. [The change in acreage is due to a mapping adjustment to the fire perimeter made during the evaluation of containment.] A Red Flag Warning is in effect over the fire area today and tomorrow bringing high and gusty winds with low relative humidity.

The Bush Fire remains 90% contained. Critical fire weather is expected in the fire area bringing high gusty winds and dry conditions through the weekend. These conditions have the potential to increase the amount of smoke and fire activity seen from the interior. Firefighters continue to monitor several large pockets of unburned vegetation. Interior burning activity and smoke will be common until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. Until then resources will continue to monitor and patrol the fire’s perimeter.

The Bush Fire is currently 90% contained. Critical fire weather is expected in the fire area bringing high gusty winds and dry conditions through the weekend. Yesterday the fire was active within the unburned areas on the interior along the east side of the fire near Highway 188, as well as along the southern Four Peaks area.  The fire’s interior has several unburned areas that will continue to burn, create visible smoke and may have visible flame at night, especially when challenged by high winds and dry conditions.

The Bush Fire is currently 86% contained. Yesterday the fire was active in the interior unburned area along the east side of the fire near Highway 188. That area will continue to burn and create visible of smoke today. Crews continue to secure, patrol, and monitor the fire’s edge.

Firefighters remain committed to full suppression. The Bush Fire is currently 73% contained. Pockets of fuel within the fire’s perimeter continue to burn and create columns of smoke. Crews continue to secure, patrol, and monitor the fire’s edge and will drop water to cool areas of the fire as needed. Suppression repair efforts have become a priority as containment has increased.

Yesterday firefighters brought fire off Mount Ord and tied it in to SR 87 on the northwest side of the fire. Firefighters will be holding the area today. Firefighters will continue to patrol and protect communities as needed.

Residents along the Highway 188 corridor should expect to see fire and smoke as fuels burn within the large pocket of unburned fuel within the fire’s perimeter. Interactive Bush Fire perimeter map: https://tinyurl.com/Bush-Fire-Map