The Valentine fire is a lightning caused wildfire that is currently burning eight miles northeast of Young, AZ. The fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy with the goal of reintroducing fire into a fire dependent ecosystem that has been excluded for more than 50 years. The intended result of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions and restore ecological balance. While decreasing unnaturally high accumulations of fuels thus decreasing the potential for future fires to burn with unnaturally high severity in support of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.
Operations: Firefighters efforts will continue to improve firelines and focus on the protection of the many values at risk which include high voltage transmission lines, State Routes 260 and 512, communities of Ponderosa and Colcord Estates, range infrastructure, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, recreation, and other environmental and social values.
Weather: Conditions will be mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. These conditions are forecasted to continue over the next couple days. Winds will generally be out of south to southwest during the day and light at night. High temperatures will range from 80 to 90 degrees below 5000 feet elevation and 86 to 96 above 5000 feet elevation. The forecasted weather conditions are favorable for maintaining low to moderate fire behavior in the area which closely resemble natural fire regimes in these ecosystems.
Closures: The Tonto National Forest is currently developing an emergency closure area for the Valentine Fire. Until the closure is in effect the public is asked to avoid the fire area. The purpose of the closure order will be to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.
Smoke: Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.
Fire details:
Size: 13 acres
Start Date: August 18, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Location: Payson Ranger District, AZ
Containment: 0%
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, Mixed Conifer, Pinyon Juniper
Total personnel: 50
Fire information
Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
Tonto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest