While the Kaibab National Forest received some rain over the weekend, forest managers would like to remind visitors that fire danger levels continue to be elevated and that Stage II fire restrictions as well as an area closure of the Bill Williams Mountain watershed will remain in place until much more significant and widespread precipitation is received.
wildfire
The Tank Fire has grown to about 100 acres in an area about 1-2 miles northeast of the junction of Lake Mary Road and state Route 87 on the Mogollon Rim.
Firefighters have responded to a number of reports of wildfires from a band of thunderstorms moving across the Mogollon Rim. The Tank Fire is the only fire in the area to show rapid growth. The other fires, ranging in size from a burning tree to 20 acres, have firefighters on scene to ensure suppression.
The Northern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross has closed the SR377 Wildfire Shelter located at Martinez Hall, Navajo County Fairgrounds. American Red Cross is available to help anyone in the community that has been affected by the SR377 wildfire.
Please call 1-800-842-7349 for assistance.
The Northern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross has been notified by the Navajo County Emergency Management Office that multiple wildfires are burning along State Route 377 and evacuations are underway. A Red Cross shelter has been opened for the evacuees and is located at: Martinez Hall at Navajo County Fairgrounds, 404 E. Hopi Drive in Holbrook, AZ 86025.
The Martinez Hall shelter is available to people needing assistance, shelter, food and information.
Summary: The 377 Fire, made up of multiple wildfires, is burning on the Black Mesa Ranger District on Arizona State Highway 377 between mile markers 1 and 22. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has temporarily closed highways 277 and 377. The Forest Service, in coordination with the Navajo County Sheriff’s office, is currently evacuating ranches north of the 377 including De Spain Ranch.
The Bureau of Land Management Colorado River District has been in fire restrictions in order to reduce the risk of wildfire on public lands managed by the BLM Kingman, Lake Havasu and Yuma Field Offices, which includes portions of Mohave, La Paz, Yuma and Yavapai counties. These restrictions remain in effect to limit activities that have the potential to start a fire.
The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for Monday, May 21 from 12 pm to 7 pm for portions of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) and parts of eastern Arizona due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Relative humidity levels are expected to drop into the single digits and wind gusts are expected to be between 30 to 40 mph over the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim Country.
In response to high fire danger, Walnut Canyon National Monument will implement the following actions beginning Wednesday, May 23, 2018 to coordinate with the Coconino National Forest’s Fay Canyon/Fisher Point Area closures:
Areas within Walnut Canyon National Monument to remain accessible during regular operating hours:
Public safety concerns due to drought conditions, hot temperatures and increased fire danger are causing the Tonto National Forest to implement two area closures beginning at 6:00 am, on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Areas outside of the closures will remain at Stage 2 fire restrictions.
The area closures will be in these general areas and will include all Tonto National Forest lands within the boundaries:
May 17 PM Update
Date/Time Reported: reported Saturday, May 12th, around 1:30pm
Location: Approximately 29 miles SE of Willcox, AZ. The fire started on private land, and has moved to the north and east onto Chiricahua National Monument and the Coronado National Forest.
Estimated Size: approximately 1,200 acres
Containment: 80%
Cause: human caused, under investigation
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