Single Publication

UPDATE: West Fire, Payson Ranger District 
September25, 2024

Size: 15,053 acres                                             Start Date: August 28, 2024
Cause: Lightning                               Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
Containment: 51%                          Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral
Total personnel: 165

Operations: A local Type 3 Team assumed command of the fire yesterday afternoon and will continue to secure fireline and repair dozer and hand line.  Yesterday, unburned fuels were ignited by aerial ignition inside the perimeter of the fire, contributing to smoke and ash in neighboring communities.  Crews are also backhauling equipment and fire supplies longer needed.  Excavators are working along the east edge of the fire near 646 Road to repair damage, use caution in this area. Fire and flames may be visible during nighttime hours away from the edges of the fire.  The fire team is mindful of the evacuation status of Pine and Geronimo Estates residents, and is working to lower it. 

Weather: Today, sunny, warm and dry with a high temperature of 89 degrees. 0% chance of precipitation with humidities in the 20% range. East winds of 7 mph.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area and use caution around fire equipment on the roads  

Smoke: Smoke from the West Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will linger in lower areas in the morning and rise as temperatures increase during the day and later in the week. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued a closure for land surrounding the West Fire.  This includes the Pine Trailhead. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publications/aztnf-2024-west-fire-tnf/us-forest-service-closure-order-for-west-fire-09-04-2024

Evacuations:  Pine residents on the east side of SR 87 and east of North Pine Creek Canyon Road are in SET status. Geronimo Estates residents near the West Fire are in SET status. For information on the interactive map of evacuation status, visit https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appic+9bf2ca222ss74f8697bc670ae9c2531a

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto