Slate Creek

The Bush Fire remains 98% contained. Interior burning activity and smoke may be present until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team is working with the Tonto National Forest to transition management to the forest on July 2, 2020.

The Bush Fire remains 98% contained. Through the high winds yesterday the containment lines remained secure. Frequent ash whirls that looked like smoke were visible within the fire area; minimal smoke on the interior was observed. Interior burning activity and smoke may be present until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team is working with the Tonto National Forest to transition management to the forest in the coming days.

The Bush Fire remains 98% contained. A Red Flag Warning is again in effect over the fire area today bringing high and gusty winds with low relative humidity. Through the high winds yesterday the containment lines remained secure and minimal fire activity on the interior was observed. Interior burning activity and smoke may be present until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. Until then resources will continue to monitor and patrol the fire’s perimeter.

The Bush Fire remains 98% contained and acreage is 193,455. [The change in acreage is due to a mapping adjustment to the fire perimeter made during the evaluation of containment.] A Red Flag Warning is in effect over the fire area today and tomorrow bringing high and gusty winds with low relative humidity.

The Bush Fire remains 90% contained. Critical fire weather is expected in the fire area bringing high gusty winds and dry conditions through the weekend. These conditions have the potential to increase the amount of smoke and fire activity seen from the interior. Firefighters continue to monitor several large pockets of unburned vegetation. Interior burning activity and smoke will be common until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. Until then resources will continue to monitor and patrol the fire’s perimeter.

The Bush Fire is currently 90% contained. Critical fire weather is expected in the fire area bringing high gusty winds and dry conditions through the weekend. Yesterday the fire was active within the unburned areas on the interior along the east side of the fire near Highway 188, as well as along the southern Four Peaks area.  The fire’s interior has several unburned areas that will continue to burn, create visible smoke and may have visible flame at night, especially when challenged by high winds and dry conditions.

The northwest portion of the Bush Fire remains the most active. Firefighters are continuing to work along the SR87, strengthening fireline to secure the area. They are also continuing efforts to help protect the Sunflower area.

Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd would like to release the following information regarding lifting the evacuation orders for the communities of Tonto Basin, Punkin Center, Pioneer Pass, Brownsville, Slate Creek, and Jake’s Corner.

On June 21, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. residents residing within the evacuated communities from Jake’s Corner to Tonto Basin will be allowed to return home. Fire personnel have determined that conditions are favorable for the safe return of our citizens.

There will be an online Bush Fire community meeting tonight at 6 pm tonight on Fb.com/bushfireinfo. An American Sign Language interpreter and captioning will be provided. A recording will be posted following the meeting. No account is required to view the video. If a pop-up box appears when you first navigate to the link, you can use the scroll bar on the right to scroll down to the view and/or click “not now” to minimize the login pop-up.

As a result of the Bush Fire, the US Forest Service, Gila County Sheriff’s Office, and Gila County Emergency Management has recommended that the following areas be placed on a “GO” mode on the Ready, Set, Go model:

• Brownsville 
• Jakes Corner 
• Slate Creek 
• Pioneer Pass

GO – Be Alert