Single Publication

Circle Fire Update Monday, July 22, 2024

Start Date: Friday, July 19, 2024                                                                                                                      Cause: Undetermined 

Location: 13 miles southwest of Kearny                                                                                                           Acres: 2,800

Personnel Assigned: 99                                                                                                                                   Containment: 10%

Evacuation: SET for 3C Ranch 

Summary: The Circle Fire is at 2,800 acres and 10% containment. Yesterday, a dozer completed containment line along the north end of the fire. This dozer line was tied into a wash on the west side that is currently serving as a fuel break. The wash runs south of Freeman Road and has also been improved by the dozer.  Handcrews went direct on the northwest perimeter of the fire to support the dozer operations. Crews implemented multiple small firing operations to tie the fireline into the wash.

A sever thunderstorm moved into the area early Sunday evening. The storm produced strong, erratic outflow winds that impacted the fire area with low visibility and gusts up to 50 mph. Resources were pulled off the fireline for safety with a few overhead remaining in the fire area late into the evening to monitor fire behavior. No moisture was received over the fire area from the passing storm.

Today, crews are returning to the northeast side of the fire perimeter. After going direct in this area yesterday, the line will be strengthened and improved today. They will also address any remaining hotspots on the fire’s edge that may pose a threat to further spread.  Depending on the weather conditions, crews may initiate firing operations to strengthen containment lines. Firing operations will only be implemented if weather conditions are favorable to do so. Firefighters will go direct where it is safe to do so but contingency plans are in place. Aircraft remain available to support the fire for recon and suppression efforts.

Due to the proximity of the fire to the 3C Ranch west of the fire, near Barkerville Rd, fire operations made the decision to place the ranch in SET evacuation status. in Pinal County can sign up for emergency alert notifications at: https://www.pinal.gov/1335/PENS---Pinal-Emergency-Notification-Syst. 

Closures: Freeman Road is closed. Deputies will be placed at roadblocks throughout the fire area. The public is asked to avoid the fire area, including Barkerville and Willow Springs Road. The AZT (Arizona Trail) is closed between Oracle and Kearny. Hikers should plan an alternate route.

Weather: Weather is expected to be the same as the past two days. Expect mostly sunny skies, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Thunderstorms with lightning and strong, erratic outflow winds remain a concern in the afternoon.

Safety: A TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) is in place over the fire. Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination. Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly…we can’t.

Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 fire restrictions in effect on State Trust lands in Pinal County. Restriction info: http://wildlandfire.az.gov/.

Incident Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aza3s-circle

Twitter: @azstateforestry: https://twitter.com/azstateforestry

Facebook: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management: https://www.facebook.com/arizonaforestry

Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go