Prescott National Forest

 Fire managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to take advantage of favorable weather conditions and have planned to start treating the 79/80 and Waterfalls Prescribed Burns south of Prescott and Groom Creek, near the Lower and Upper Wolf Creek Campgrounds on Wednesday, October 16.  All burning is weather dependent. 

Fire managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to take advantage of favorable weather conditions and have planned several fuel treatments October 4^th through October 30^th.  All burning will be dependent on current and expected weather conditions.  Fire managers will utilize tactics to keep smoke impacts as minimal as possible.  These may include canceling approved burns when conditions aren’t favorable, timing daytime ignitions to allow the majority of smoke to disperse prior to settling overnight, and burning larger sections at a time when conditions are favorable

For the protection of the public’s health and safety forest officials are extending the Sheridan Fire Area Closure which will now remain in effect until October 24^th, at 6:00 am.

The Sheridan Fire is 80% contained and in monitor status; however potential hazards still exist in the fire area.  Risks in recently burned areas include burned out stump holes, unstable terrain, falling trees or limbs, and the potential for washed out roads and trails after a significant rain event.   

Effective Tuesday, October 1^st at 6:00 am, the Prescott National Forest will lift the fire related area closure for the Cellar Fire east of Wagoner.      

Summary: This will be the final update from the Southwest Area Incident Management Team #3. Saturday, September 28 at 6:00 am the team will be transferring command of the fire back to the Prescott National Forest comprised of crews and overhead, many of whom have been fighting the fire since its inception, insuring continuity in strategies and objectives.

The 210 acre Surprise Fire in the Granite Basin Recreation Area is now 80 percent contained; with no additional growth.  Firefighters will continue to patrol and closely monitor the fire.   

All recreation sites in Granite Basin Recreation are open to the public including Yavapai Campground, Trail #349, Balancing Rock Trail and Trail #350, Surprise Spring Trail.  Forest visitors entering the fire area should proceed with caution and be aware of any post-fire hazards such as burning stump holes.  

Fire activity and growth stalled yesterday as predicted thundershowers materialized over the fire area. However, the rainfall was insufficient in reducing the fire’s potential as only 1⁄4” of precipitation fell over the fire. Fire crews continued scouting for placement of containment lines and safe access routes. Rugged terrain and inclement weather challenged fire crews on the ground. 

Last night the fire was active on the north end as it burned in heavy dead and down timber.  Due to the terrain and remote location firefighters will focus today on road access into the fire area and will continue structure assessment and locate potential hazards like mine shafts in the fire area.    

Due to the location, values at risk, terrain and fuel loading, Gesser’s Type 2 Incident Management Team will take command of the Johnson Fire tomorrow. 

Firefighters responded to a smoke report at 2:15 pm approximately 8 miles south of Prescott, near Lookout Mountain (T12N, R2W, S16).  The 100 acre Johnson Fire is burning in brush, pinyon and some timber.  Firefighters and air attack are on scene assessing fuels conditions and values at risk.   Smoke will be visible from Prescott and other local communities.

Fire managers are anticipating that there will be an opportunity this afternoon and perhaps over the next few days to ignite some of the still unburned fuels in the interior of the Sheridan Fire. These operations serve to improve the health and ecological function of the area and reduce the risk of high intensity fire for many years into the future. A variety of factors dictate when a window of opportunity may arise and how much smoke it could produce over the area.