Grand Canyon

Sufficient monsoonal activity across the northern and southern portions of Arizona allow the Department of Forestry and Fire Management to lift fire restrictions within some state lands.

As of Thursday, July 30, fire restrictions will be lifted on state lands in Apache, Coconino – south of the Grand Canyon, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties. On Saturday, August 1, Arizona Forestry will also lift restrictions on state land in Yavapai County.

The entire Thumb Fire area received rain for much of the day yesterday and more rain is predicted for today. Firefighters departed the fire area yesterday afternoon after confirming the burn area was receiving rain. The fire’s containment is currently at eighty-eight percent and is anticipated to increase over the weekend. The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team is assisting with the demobilization of resources and working to transfer management back to the local agencies.

The eastern and western flanks of the Thumb Fire have not burned beyond the canyon edges. Firefighters have confirmed that there is no heat present in those areas, contributing to the overall containment of the fire. They will continue to monitor the most northern tip of the fire by aircraft. The southern flank of the fire remains moderately active with scattered pockets of heat. The moderated fire activity has allowed firefighters to work adjacent to the fire removing vegetation and strengthening containment features such as two-track roads, trails, and rock outcroppings.

The fire area received minimal rain overnight and increased humidity and cloud cover moderated fire activity yesterday; however, already challenged by the remote, rough, and rugged terrain, the threat of lightning accompanied by strong erratic winds and the uncertainty of rain are watch-out conditions firefighters are taking additional caution with today.
 

The fire area received minimal rain overnight and increased humidity and cloud cover moderated fire activity yesterday; however, already challenged by the remote, rough, and rugged terrain, the threat of lightning accompanied by strong erratic winds and the uncertainty of rain are watch-out conditions firefighters are taking additional caution with today.

The Thumb Fire is approximately 6,200 acres. Growth yesterday was primarily in the southern portion of the fire perimeter. Fire behavior was active with single tree torching and surface fire of three to four foot flames where the fire was consuming grass.
 
Located on the northwestern edge of the Great Thumb Mesa, the Thumb Fire started on July 16th. Fire managers plan to continue the strategy of suppressing the lightning caused while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. 
 

The Thumb Fire, which started on July 16th, is approximately 3,800 acres. Growth was primarily in the southern and eastern portion of the fire perimeter. Fire behavior was moderate with increased activity in isolated pockets of fuels.

Recent monsoon activity in the region resulted in two new lightning ignited fires. Fire crews are actively working to suppress and monitor the two fires. 

The Thumb Fire was detected on Thursday, July 16th, 2020 and is located along the western rim of the Great Thumb Mesa. Grand Canyon National Park is providing interagency support to the Truxton Canon Agency and Havasupai Tribe. Approximately 285 acres in size, current fire behavior is creeping and smoldering within pinon-juniper forest. Fire managers plan to monitor the Thumb Fire.

Yesterday crews neared completion of suppression repair.  Another lightning ignition was discovered outside the Mangum Fire containment lines. The fire was cooled off by helicopter bucket drops, and lined by firefighters on the ground. Today firefighters will be patrolling the Mangum Fire perimeter, looking for “sleeper” fires started by Friday’s lightning storms.  Crews will also be removing hazard trees, and taking a second look at suppression damages, to ensure no needed repairs have been missed.  Warm and dry conditions are forecasted again today.

Yesterday crews continued with suppression repair, and constructed fire line around pockets of smoking fuel adjacent to Highway 89A.   During the afternoon a very small lightning ignition was discovered outside the Mangum Fire containment lines.  Firefighters quickly extinguished this fire.  Today firefighters will be patrolling the fire perimeter, looking for new fires started by yesterday afternoon’s lightning storms.  Crews will continue suppression repair, grading and repairing damaged roads, filling and re-contouring hand lines and chipping woody debris.