wildfire

Containment on the Deer, Y Bar, Clair, and Bartlett Fires increased yesterday. Many of the fires received substantial rainfall, with more expected today. The Tonto National Forest has begun the assessment of the post-fire flooding and erosion risk on the Sand Stone, Bartlett, and Claire Fires. Firefighters continue to complete work to secure fire perimeters and prepare for any initial attack needs.

The Skeleton Fire continues to see reduced activity, and the fire remained within its perimeter on Thursday.

Crews continued work securing fire edges, and the fire is now 30 percent contained. Updated maps are available on the Skeleton Fire Inciweb page.

The fire has burned in the Agua Fria National Monument and the Tonto National Forest. 

Fire details: 

Fire crews continue to be deployed to the most active area on the northwest side of the Element Fire near the Mount Tipton Wilderness to improve containment and slow its progression to the north.  Helicopters are assisting firefighting efforts on the ground with water bucket drops.  Firefighters continue with structure protection in the Vock Canyon area as well as residences west of Stockton Hill Road

Structures: Vock Canyon and homes west of Stockton Hill Road between milepost 18-23 currently in “SET” status.

Successful firefighting efforts on the ground, in combination with aviation support, lower temperatures, and light precipitation, resulted in 100% containment of the Round 3 Fire and 96% containment of the Sand Stone Fire. Firefighters continue to operate through the night to increase containment on all other fires while also remaining available for initial attack of any new fire starts.

There was minimal growth to the Skeleton Fire during the day on Tuesday. The fire received some moisture across Perry Mesa on Tuesday evening. The fire was mapped at 24,034 acres. Increased acreage is from fire activity Monday night. Firefighters continue working to secure fire edges. The fire has burned in the Agua Fria National Monument and the Tonto National Forest.  

Fire details: 

At 6:00 a.m. this morning, Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the Clair, Bartlett, and Sheep Fires. Team 4 is now managing seven incidents on the Tonto National Forest (see below for fire statistics). Yesterday, Team 4 gathered information and began developing suppression strategies for the three new fires. Engines, crews, aircraft, and other firefighting resources are engaged on all incidents, working together to prioritize fires based on threats to communities and infrastructure.

Fire crews continue work on the Skeleton Fire. Aviation resources have provided support to help reinforce fire edges using helicopter bucket drops of water and fire retardant drops from airtankers. The fire saw increased activity on the southwest side overnight but is largely staying  on the mesa tops. Variable gusty winds from passing  thunderstorms could cause continued  fire growth. The fire has burned in the Agua Fria National Monument and the Tonto National Forest. 

Jurisdiction: Hassayampa Field Office, Bureau of Land Management 

Crews conducted an aerial reconnaissance flight yesterday to assess the progress of all fires and look for any additional new starts. The Southwest Incident Management Team 4 continues to respond to the fires within their designated response area while also lending resources to the Tonto National Forest. The two Superscoopers that assisted on the Sand Stone Fire last week have returned from Idaho and Colorado to support the firefighting efforts. Firefighters will remain in place near Deer Creek and Rye to protect structures from the nearby Deer and Y Bar Fires.

The Skeleton Fire was reported on the afternoon of Aug. 3 on the Joes Hill area east of the Agua Fria canyon in the Agua Fria National Monument. The fire started in a remote area with limited access. Variable  gusty winds from passing thunderstorms drove the fire throughout the weekend. The fire has burned through high desert brush and grass and has expanded to 20,963 acres. It was most active to the east and has burned into the Tonto National Forest.

Jurisdiction: Hassayampa Field Office, Bureau of Land Management

Due to record-breaking temperatures, outflow winds, and over 800 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, several new fires started near the Sand Stone and Deer Fire areas yesterday. The Southwest Incident Management Team 4 is responding to two new fire starts within their designated planning area. The Y Bar Fire is located approximately 5 miles east of the Deer Fire and initially estimated at 150 acres. The Round 3 Fire is located near Bushnell, east of State Route 87 and mapped at 33 acres. Firefighting resources have been dispatched to fully suppress these two new lightning-caused fires.