Single Publication

Romero Fire Update Monday, July 22, 2024

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

Location: 13 miles southwest of Kearny                                                                                                         Acres: 7,000 

Personnel Assigned: 181                                                                                                                                   Containment: 30%

Evacuation: SET for 3C Ranch 

Summary: The Romero Fire is at 7,000 acres and 30% containment. Yesterday, firefighters on the Romero Fire worked to strengthen and improve containment lines along Freeman Rd, up to the structures in Haydon Ranch. The Cottonwood Wash is a natural feature on the east side that crews are utilizing as a natural fuel break to prevent further spread to the east. Aircraft were utilized for the majority of the day to suppress further spread to the east and north. A helicopter was utilized for multiple flights over the fire for reconnaissance and a mapping mission. A dozer and multiple handcrews spent the day constructing line around the north portion of the fire with the object to prevent further spread. This work was done in conjunction with a firing operation to strengthen and improve the containment line, securing the northeast corner by tying it into the Cottonwood 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, a second dozer will assist with line construction on the northwest corner of the fire. Residents in the surrounding communities should expect to see an increase in smoke throughout the day. Crews will continue to patrol the southern end of the fire and address any pockets of heat remaining on the fire’s edge. Along the eastern edge, crew objectives are to go direct where it is safe to do so. 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. That evacuation remains in place.  Residents 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-romero

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