Single Publication

 Grapevine Fire

July 29, 2023 – Daily Update

Weather Still Not Enough to Extinguish Fire Completely   

Location:  Mingus Mountain, Verde Ranger District (T14N, R2E, SEC 4), Approximately 10 miles east of Prescott Valley; 2 miles south of Mingus Spring Ranch

Start Date:  July 21, 2023

Size:  Approximately 1049 acres

Percent Contained:  0%

Cause:  Lightning    

Vegetation: Brush, Timber and Short Grass

Resources: 3 Type 1 Crews, 5 Type 2 Crews, 16 Engines, 3 Dozers, 4 Helicopters and additional support personnel

Number of Personnel Assigned:  374

Update: Fire crews are helped by the current weather lessening the ignitability of light fuels while the heavy fuels are still showing heat in the interior of the fire area. Continued efforts by fire personnel on the ground are being focused on the structures being threatened if the fire were to breach the existing control lines. Dozer lines have been established along the northern edge of the Whitehorse community while lines have been constructed along the northwestern side; heavy equipment is being deployed along the northeastern areas along with Hot Shot Crews. The Brindle Pup Mine area is being treated by moving fuels with heavy equipment and support personnel. Due to terrain and limited access; firefighters continue to identify hazards as they begin to safely suppress the fire.

Community Response: When Whitehorse residents received the Go Status on July 25, 2023, from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, the Equine Emergency Evacuation organization (EEE) stepped up to transport residents’ animals to a safe shelter and helped them return their animals home on July 27, 2023. Twenty-four EEE-trained rescue volunteers assisted in this rescue. Not only did EEE transport 10 horses, 6 goats, and 33 birds safely to shelters using 7 two-member volunteer teams while they also had 60 communications with animal owners during the Whitehorse evacuation incident. The effort of the EEE directly contributed to the life safety of these animals. In addition to EEE we have many volunteer organizations that help during emergency situations including Large Animal Shelters and Emergency Readiness (LASER), Red Cross, Sheriff’s Jeep Posse, and Animal Disaster Services.

Smoke:  Smoke may be visible from multiple locations including Prescott Valley, Dewey, Prescott and along Highway 169.

Closures: Prescott National Forest Roads along the route beginning at the junction of FR104 and FR143 and extending ¼ mile on either side of FR413 to junction of FR132 then along FR132 to the junction of County Rd 75, Cherry Creek Road.

Fire Restrictions: The entire Prescott National Forest is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions which prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within designated areas for portions of the forest. Under these restrictions, discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except for persons engaged in legal hunting activities, is prohibited on the Prescott National Forest. Fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited year-round on national forests.

For current evacuation information contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260 or follow them at https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff. 

Recreationists on Mingus Mountain should avoid camping and hiking near the fire and utilize caution while driving the roads as firefighters will be traveling to and from the fire.  

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111