Suppression repair work continues, as personnel downsize in preparation of transferring management of the fire back to a Type 3 team from the Tonto National Forest at 0700 on January 13, 2025. As of last night, AZ Department of Transportation removed the lane restrictions on SR-260. The increase in fire acreage is due to more accurate mapping. Crews will continue to search for areas of hot spots to ensure nothing escapes the containment lines.

Highlights:

Firefighters worked through snow and frigid temperatures yesterday to strengthen containment along the fire perimeter. With increasing containment, excess equipment is being backhauled, and crews are actively monitoring and patrolling the area. Efforts continue to address remaining pockets of heat within the fire perimeter to ensure the fire stays within its current footprint.

Highlights:

With cold and wet conditions reducing fire behavior, firefighters continued patrols, mop-up efforts, and prep work along the fire perimeter. Crews addressed internal pockets of unburned fuels, which may produce visible smoke and flames but remain well within the interior of the fire. Improved containment lines have led Gila County to lower evacuation levels to READY for communities along the western containment line.

Highlights: The Horton Fire increased to 1,095 acres and remains at 17% containment. No firing operations occurred on the Horton Fire yesterday.

Tonight’s community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 546 W Ashby Apple Dr., Payson, AZ 85541.

Tomorrow, December 31, 2024, Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 will assume command and management of the Horton Fire.

The Horton Fire increased to 1,074 acres and remains at 17% containment. Increased activity occurred near the Promontory Point area, with fire continuing to move east and south along Promontory Point and east of Horton Springs.

As a reminder, a community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 546 W Ashby Apple Dr., Payson, AZ 85541.

The current Horton Fire incident management team will begin the processes of transitioning management of the Horton Fire to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 this weekend. Team 1 is scheduled to assume command of the fire early next week.

A community meeting is scheduled for at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 546 W Ashby Apple Dr., Payson, AZ 85541.

Highlights: The Horton Fire grew to 928 acres with 15% containment.

Operations: Crews monitored and patrolled yesterday, observing continued slow creeping and smoldering conditions across the majority of the fire area. Smoke production did increase yesterday near East Horton Creek and Horton Spring area between Forest Roads 76U and 76K as fire consumed heavier fuels in drainages. No firing operations occurred.

The Horton Fire remains at 898 acres with 15% containment with crews remaining on- scene today to monitor the fire.

Operations: Minimal fire activity was observed across the fire area yesterday, including slow creeping and smoldering conditions with short flame lengths less than 1 foot. Crews patrolled and secured the fireline along Forest Road 300 and Highway 260.

Today, Horton Fire crews will focus on the north and western areas of the fire.

Highlights: The Horton Fire is currently 898 acres with 15% containment. A weather shift is expected through Christmas Day, with cooler temperatures and increased humidity forecasted. Crews will remain on-scene throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.