Gila County

Today is the last day on the Backbone Fire for Southwest Area Incident Command Team #1. On Thursday morning, management of the fire will be turned back to the local units, a smaller organization that will continue with suppression repair work. There is a 75% chance of rain today. Firefighters will be working the fire’s edge looking for any remaining hot spots and transporting excess supplies and equipment from containment lines to their fire camp. Crews are also finishing chipping debris along the corridor of State Route 260.

Today begins a trend towards cooler and wetter conditions, which will moderate fire behavior and aid suppression efforts.  Fire crews will be working the fire’s edge looking for any remaining hot spots.  They are being supported by drones with infrared and aircraft conducting bucket drops as needed.  Crews are also finishing chipping debris along the corridor of State Routes 260 and 87.  Firefighters will continue suppression repair work across the fire area.

Today at 4 p.m., the Gila County Sheriff’s Office removed the “GO!” order for residents of Strawberry and Hunt Ranch and they can return home but remain on “Set” status and should be prepared to evacuate if the fire situation changes.  Fire crews spent the day working the fire’s edge looking for any remaining hot spots.  They are being supported by drones with infrared and aircraft conducted bucket drops as needed.  Crews are also working on chipping debris along the corridor of State Routes 260 and 87.

Rain fell on portions of the fire today, but scattered pockets of heat are still present. Crews continued with
suppression repair and mop up of hot spots as needed to protect communities and infrastructure. This will be the
final evening update produced by Northwest Incident Management Team 6. Morning updates will continue until
further notice.

State Route 77 is open to the public. Please watch out for wildfire vehicles and equipment moving throughout the area as you drive along the highway.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office has issued new evacuation announcements this morning. See the status updates below for specific changes.

Overnight, favorable weather conditions resulted in minimal fire growth, allowing for the conclusion of night
operations. The southeast corner of the fire on Mescal Mountain continued to experience scattered heat pockets.

Minimal heat was detected today as firefighters and aircraft patrolled and monitored the burned area. After about 11
p.m. tonight, firefighters will no longer patrol the fire overnight. During the day shift, crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire for flare ups and mop up as needed to protect communities and infrastructure. Efforts to map retardant drop locations were completed will be used to inform fire rehabilitation efforts.

Evacuation status for El Capitan East and West and Six Shooter and Icehouse Canyons have changed from “SET” to “READY.”

Favorable weather conditions resulted in minimal fire growth Monday. Many resources were focused on the southeast corner of the fire on Mescal Mountain where the fire remains active. Helicopters were used to check the fire as it spread southeast into lighter grass and sparse brush.

Firefighters were challenged by high winds from the west/northwest Sunday.  Most of our resources were focused on the southeast corner of the fire where crews continued to prep along the State Route 77 corridor and around the Dripping Springs and Cooley Ranch communities.  Helicopters were used to check the fire’s spread as it backs off the Mescal Mountains into lighter grasses and sparse brush to the southeast.

Overnight fire activity along the western flank of the fire was visible from Camp Verde. Firefighters continued to monitor the fire progression around the both the western and eastern flanks of the fire and continued to prepare containment features to support today’s operations. Today firefighters and heavy equipment will reinforce control features to the south and west of Strawberry and Pine; and prep for future burnout operations as necessary to strengthen holding features and protect the communities and values at risk.

The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Alan Sinclair, assumed command of the Backbone Fire, this morning, Saturday, June 19, 2021. Firefighters are fully suppressing the Backbone Fire to protect nearby communities and values at risk in the area.