Single Publication

Circle Fire Update Wednesday, July 24, 2024

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

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

Personnel Assigned: 73                                                                                                                                    Containment: 85% 

Summary: At 7am this morning, the Circle Fire transitioned to a Type 4 Organization. This will be the FINAL Press Release for the Circle Fire. Any future updates will be provided through the incident information sources listed below when significant activity occurs.

“With the Freeman Fire the previous week, we understand the anxiety this incident brought to the nearby communities” stated Incident Commander Eric Huddleston. “We would like to thank the community of Oracle and the owners of Haydon and Cactus Ranches for their support during the Circle Fire. The teamwork between Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, cooperators and federal agencies is what made operations successful in suppressing the Circle Fire quickly”.

Overall, there is minimal fire activity but one crew, two engines, one medical team and one water tender remain assigned to the fire. They will patrol the fire and conduct mop up operations until the fire reaches 100% containment. The Circle Fire is 2,800 acres and 85% contained. The lightning caused fire was discovered on July 19 just after 7pm.

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 and monitor. All road closures have been lifted. However, firefighters 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: Excessive heat and outflow winds continue over the next few days as forecasted thunderstorms move through the area.

Safety: The TFR has been lifted for the fire. However, we ask that the public avoid flying aircraft (including drones) in and around the fire area. Firefighters remain assigned to the fire and could request air support at any time.

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