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The Willow Fire, ignited by lightning on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Black Mesa Ranger District on July 28 when thunderstorms occupied the area, was reported on July 30. The fire is located within the 2007 Wilkins Fire footprint and is in a remote area where values at risk are minimal and no structures are threatened at this time. The type of fuel is timber, grass, and dead and down material.

Ground and aviation resources were able to engage the active portion of the Pine Fire yesterday. 

An unnamed drainage south of Bishop creek is where the fire became visible after days of drying out from last weeks storms. 

Fire crews will continue constructing fire line using Minimal Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) attempting to secure the active fire edge.

The remote Pine Mountain Wilderness would present challenges to extract injured personnel if an incident were to occur. Contingency plans as well as a Fireline Medical Team are in place.

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.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) continued to be beneficial on the Pine Fire gathering information and providing fire managers with accurate data. The fire has moved to the North and East making it onto the Verde Rim. On the Western flank the fire remains active within Bishop and Sycamore Creeks. The spread of the fire is dependent on readily available fuels and continues to consume an accumulation of dead and down woody material. Fire managers continue to monitor the fires progression with the use of the UAS and Air Attack (aerial observer).

Minimal growth was observed over the Pine Fire yesterday. Intelligence gathered by the UAS allowed fire managers to see the progression of the fire as it continues to spread to the North, North East, and West into Sycamore Creek consuming dead and down fuels. The fire continues to spread in available fuels and move through the 2001 Pine Mountain Fire area.

The Pine Fire continues to move in a mosaic pattern spreading at low to moderate intensities consuming readily available dead and down fuels across the forest floor. Fire managers were able to utilize an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to observe the fires progression into the Southern end of Sycamore Creek. The UAS will continue to monitor fire progression and effects and gather intelligence. Utilizing the UAS reduces the exposure to hazards for firefighters and firefighting aircraft. Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) will remain in effect over the Pine Fire area.

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.

 Fire managers on the Bradshaw/Chino Valley Ranger District are planning to conduct the Graver Wash RX which is a restoration burn sometime between July 21st and July 26th; when the conditions are most favorable for a successful outcome.  Graver Wash is an 8,072 acre prescribed burn unit, but managers do not intend to treat the whole 8,072 acres during this treatment.  Managers will be focusing on black lining the perimeter and targeting available fuels interior.  This project may require multiple entries over multiple years to treat the entire project area.