Single Publication

CORDUROY FIRE

Start Date: July 12, 2023, Location: 20 Miles SW Alpine, Percent Contained: 56, Size: 1,027 acres, Cause: Lightning, Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory) Medium Logging Slash, Resources Assigned: 2 Engines, 2 Crews, 1 Dozer, 2 Water tenders.

Operations: Recent rains and cooler temperatures have substantially moderated fire behavior. Firefighters were able to complete handlines and secure dozer lines. Crews will patrol and monitor the fire to secure containment lines.

BOUNDARY FIRE

Start Date: July 27, 2023, Location: 30 Miles SW of Alpine, Percent Contained: 0, Size: 929 acres, Cause: Lightning, Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory) Brush, Resources Assigned: 2 Crews, 3 Engines, 2 Water tenders, 1 Dozer.

Operations: A helicopter recon flight observed a few remaining heat sources on the far eastern edge yesterday, but rains have diminished most of the fire activity. Crews will continue to prep road systems on the 130 acre portion of the Boundary fire burning on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation as a part of a contingency plan for potential fire movement in that area.

WILLOW FIRE

Start Date: July 27, 2023, Location: 12 Miles SW of Alpine, Percent Contained: 27, Size: 401 acres, Cause: Lightning, Vegetation: Timber (Grass and Understory) Medium Logging Slash, Resources Assigned: 4 Crews, 5 Engines, 2 Dozers, 1 Water tender.

Operations: The last remaining piece of handline on the southeastern edge was completed yesterday. Rain and cooler temperatures have given firefighters opportunities to achieve additional containment.

Closures: To provide for public and firefighter safety, highway 191 is closed in both directions from mileposts 231.3 to 239.7. Highway 191 will temporarily reopen to traffic over the weekend starting on August 11th at 8:00pm until August 14th at 6:00am when it will be reclosed.

Weather: A seventy-percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms are expected to bring substantial rains, with a high of 65 degrees, and 5-10mph winds with higher gusts near approaching storm fronts.

Values at risk: Sensitive species in surrounding areas, cattle and grazing areas, watersheds, riparian areas, impacts to Highway 191, Hannagan Lodge, and nearby electric powerlines.

Restrictions: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. For details, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices/?aid=81123

Smoke: Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from Hwy 191, especially at night.

Official fire information:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azasf-black-river-complex
• Incident Email and Phone: 2023.blackrivercomplex@firenet.gov, 928-245-1585
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf