Cold weather event reduces Horton Fire behavior; Containment continues to increase

Highlights: Today’s change in the weather has brought colder temperatures and higher winds into the area. This incoming weather has diminished fire activity, and fire crews are continuing full suppression strategies on the Horton Fire. Yesterday and overnight, firefighters addressed unburned areas on the interior of the fire while also holding and patrolling the edge of the fire, especially along the western edge and the SR-260 corridor.

Acreage increases as Horton Fire grows towards handlines and control features; Public meeting tonight

Highlights: Firefighters were successful yesterday and last night in bringing the fire off the rim and closer to established control lines north of SR-260, east of Horton Creek, and west of Christopher Creek. With today’s predicted favorable weather conditions and as part of the full suppression tactics for the Horton Fire, crews plan
on continuing strategic burning operations to secure the fire perimeter near neighborhoods and along SR-260.

Firing operations underway to protect communities near Horton Fire; Smoke impacts expected

Highlights: Firefighters had a successful day of firing operations and fireline enhancement yesterday and last night. Today, work will continue around Promontory Point, with ongoing ignitions below the rim between Horton Creek Trail and eastward towards Christopher Creek as work continues on this full suppression fire.

Firing operations continue on the Horton Fire, creating a potential increase of smoke impacts to the area

Highlights: With the Horton Fire moving down off the Mogollon Rim and onto the face, in addition to continued firing operations, there is increased visible smoke and flames along the top of the rim which can be seen from State Highway 260. For more information on local smoke impacts, visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/.

Aerial and ground firing operations underway on Horton Fire; Night operations begin tonight

Highlights: The Horton Fire is now at 1,352 acres and 17% containment. Yesterday, firefighters conducted hand ignitions on the north end of the fire. Crews were successful in holding containment lines and monitored fire activity through the day. Last night, fire moved to the west side of Promontory Point and there was active fire behavior on the west/southwest side.  

Crews holding fireline after successful firing operations; Public meeting tonight in Christopher Creek

Highlights: The Horton Fire is now 1,164 acres and remains 17% containment. A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 546 W Ashby Apple Dr., Payson, AZ 85541. This meeting will also be livestreamed on the Tonto National Forest Facebook page. 

Horton Fire continues slow growth; community meeting tonight in Payson

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.

Horton fire operations continue; community meeting planned for Monday

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.

Increased smoke from the Horton Fire may be visible in surrounding areas

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.