Payson

Yesterday, crews continued working along the FSRD 411 westward to Lost Salt Canyon. Today, crews will continue with hand and aerial ignitions keeping the line even and working east from FSRD 200 along FSRD 848 and Haigler Creek.

Yesterday, with the sunnier weather crews were able to continue to progress the fire’s edge to the south towards FSRD 411. Today crews will continue with hand and aerial operations adding depth to the interior of the fire.

With cloud cover and the rain received yesterday, hand and aerial ignitions were suspended until weather conditions improve. Today, with sunnier weather, the crews will be able to continue to progress the fire’s edge to the south towards FSRD 411.

Yesterday, crews monitored progression of the fire along the ridge lines and perimeters. Today, crews will continue with aerial and hand ignitions along the southern edges of the fire. There will be moderate to heavy smoke, pushing to the northeast of the fire over the next week and smoke may push downslope and settle in the lower elevations overnight.

Due to gusty winds, crews are monitoring the progression of the fire along the ridge lines and perimeters of the fire area.

Operations: Yesterday, due to the wind events, crews patrolled along the FSRD 411 and kept the fire’s edge even. More depth was added to FSRD 200 along with monitoring the edge. Today, crews will be patrolling and holding lines as the fire progresses toward the southern fire containment line.

Due to expected winds today, Crews will be scouting the existing road systems and terrain in the southwest perimeter to plan the best route to proceed when conditions improve.

Operations: Yesterday, crews performed ignitions along the south fire line to bring the fire toward FSRD 411 while north crews patrolled the fire line. Today, crews are scouting the terrain looking for the best options to bring the fire south and patrolling the fire edge during wind events. 

On Saturday, favorable conditions allowed for ongoing tactical firing operations to contain a wildfire, and these operations will continue today. However, Chamberlain Trail Road (FSRD 200) will be temporarily closed until September 30, 2023, at 6 p.m., prioritizing firefighter and public safety during these operations.

As drying conditions persist through the weekend, Valentine Fire crews are actively assessing fuel consumption and strategically planning for both hand and aerial ignition operations, with Friday's activities revealing drier conditions in certain ridges compared to drainages, whilw Saturday's focus remains on continued fuel consumption testing and identifying favorable opportunities for aerial ignitions along the western ridges

Despite recent rain, the Valentine Fire persists with smoldering and creeping in its Southeast section, prompting the Tonto National Forest Type 3 Fire Management Team to schedule a community meeting tonight at 6 pm MST at the Young Community Center for updates, while hand crews and aerial resources will maintain firing operations as conditions dry up today.

On Wednesday, firefighting crews were unable to work on the fire line due to the rainfall that occurred on Tuesday night. Instead, key personnel were dispatched to inspect the road conditions to assess their suitability for crew operations. It was concluded that the roads were in such a hazardous state that sending crews along them would pose a risk of ecological damage.