Single Publication

Circle Fire Update Tuesday, July 23, 2024

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

Location: 14.5 miles south of Kearny                                                                                                               Acres: 2,800

Personnel Assigned: 73                                                                                                                                     Containment: 35% 

Summary: The Circle Fire is at 2,800 acres and 35% containment. Yesterday, the crews focused on securing the southern and eastern edges of the fire. Firing operations were implemented in the morning to strengthen containment lines already in place. With the cooperation of weather and no production of thunderstorms in the area, fire activity was minimal. The afternoon saw minimal smoke production over the fire except in the areas where a small firing operation occurred on the southern end. Crews spent the afternoon and early evening patrolling the western and southern fire perimeter to address any hotspots burning near the containment line. These spots were treated with water and large, burning vegetation was moved well interior to prevent any possibility of spread over containment lines.

Today, crews plan to conduct firing operations on the western and southern portions of the fire as long as weather conditions allow. The objective is to clean up pockets of unburned vegetation that could ignite, allowing the fire to spread. The entire fire perimeter will be patrolled by crews and engines to ensure that any trouble spots are addressed quickly and do not pose a threat to containment lines. Aircraft remain available to support the fire for recon and suppression efforts.

Objectives set by fire managers are being met due to the hard work of firefighters over the past four days. The Type 3 Organization will begin to release resource today so that they are made available to support new fires across the state. With this reduction in resources, the Circle Fire will downsize to a Type 4 Organization on Wednesday. The FINAL Press Release for the Circle Fire will be on Wednesday. After that, updates will be provided through the Incident Information sources listed below when significant activity occurs.

Residents in Pinal County can sign up for emergency alert notifications at: https://www.pinal.gov/1335/PENS---Pinal-Emergency-Notification-Syst to be notified in the event of future emergencies.

Closures: The AZT (Arizona Trail) is closed between Oracle and Kearny. Hikers should plan an alternate route. All road closures have been lifted. However, firefighters and heavy equipment are still working in the area and traveling on Freeman Road, Barkerville Ranch Road, and Willow Springs Ranch Road.  We ask that anyone not having a need to be in the area find alternate travel routes.  If you must travel the roads listed, please drive at slower speeds and turn on your headlights to be more visible.

Weather: Mostly sunny skies with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Expect temperatures to reach the upper 90s with winds forecasted 5-7mph. Gusty, erratic winds are expected near thunderstorms.

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