Single Publication

Fire Crews Continue to Build Control Lines to Protect Properties

Location:  Mingus Mountain, Verde Ranger District (T14N, R2E, SEC 4), Approximately 10 miles east of Prescott Valley; 2 miles south of Mingus Spring Ranch

Start Date:  July 21, 2023

Size:  Approximately 1049 acres

Percent Contained:  0%

Cause:  Lightning    

Vegetation: Brush, Timber and Short Grass

Resources: 2 Type 1 Crews, 5 Type 2 Crews, 18 Engines, 3 Dozers, 4 Helicopters and additional support personnel

Number of Personnel Assigned:  375

Update:  A combination of hand tools and saws were used to build much needed control lines along the west side of the fire by crews. A major protection effort was completed by dozers along the north and east boundaries between the Prescott National Forest and the community the Whitehorse.  Control lines were also constructed along the west side of the fire at Shylock Mine by crews using hand tools and power saws. Efforts to complete control lines are ongoing at the Mingus Mountain Academy using hand tools, saws, and heavy equipment.  Headway is being made to protect the 4H Camp with hand crews improving existing control lines and building new lines. A line has been established along the south side of the Brindle Pup Mine.

Community Response: Large Animal Shelter & Emergency Readiness known as LASER is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide safe shelter for barn animals and provide information for emergency preparedness.  Partnering with Yavapai County Emergency Management in Prescott the trained volunteers were called to action on July 23, 2023 with the evacuation of Whitehorse residents while 38 volunteers remained around the clock taking care of the resident’s animals. The volunteers stayed on duty until the last of the animals went home on July 29, 2023. Altogether the volunteers put in over 600 hours of service caring for 13 equines, 7 goats, 3 pigs, and 69 fowl plus kept in communication with the owners, letting the family know the status of their animals. In addition to LASER we have many volunteer organizations that help during emergency situations including Red Cross, Sheriff’s Jeep Posse and Animal Disaster Services.

Closures: Prescott National Forest Roads along the route beginning at the junction of FR104 and FR143 and extending ¼ mile on either side of FR413 to junction of FR132 then along FR132 to the junction of County Rd 75, Cherry Creek Road. 

Fire Restrictions: The entire Prescott National Forest is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions which prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within designated areas for portions of the forest. Under these restrictions, discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except for persons engaged in legal hunting activities, is prohibited on the Prescott National Forest. Fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited year-round on national forests.

For current evacuation information contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260 or follow them at https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff. 

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.