Fire managers with the Coconino National Forest are currently monitoring a lightning-caused wildfire that was reported the morning of October 25 approximately 11 miles south of Flagstaff on the west side of Interstate 17 near the Newman Park exit.

The Hickey fire is a lightning caused wildfire discovered on the Clifton Ranger District on October 22, 2024.  The fire is currently estimated to be approximately 35 acres, and is located 10 miles north/northeast of the Morenci Mine, 5 miles southeast of the Martinez Ranch/San Francisco River, and West of Forest Road 215.   

The Hickey Fire is in a rugged, remote portion of the district accessed only by helicopter.  Local fire managers are evaluating values at risk in the vicinity and are taking action to protect them from adverse effects of the fire.  

Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today reminded small nonfarm businesses in 15 Arizona counties and neighboring counties in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah of the Nov. 25 deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low-interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary counties that began Jan. 1.

Fire managers plan to continue prescribed fire operations on the Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests beginning October 28 through November 22, 2024, as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations.

Fire managers plan to begin prescribed fire operations on the Springerville Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests beginning October 28 through November 30, 2024, as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations.