Single Publication

Firing operations continue, creating a potential increase of smoke impacts to the area.  
Daily Update: January 4, 2025

Size: 1,890 acres 
Cause: Under Investigation 
Containment: 17% 
Total personnel: 418 
Start Date: December 14, 2024 
Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona 
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral
Resources:    7 crews | 32 engines | 2 helicopters | 1 bulldozer | 4 water tenders

Highlights: With the Horton Fire moving down off the Mogollon Rim and onto the face, in addition to continued firing operations, there is increased visible smoke and flames along the top of the rim which can be seen from State Highway 260. For more information on local smoke impacts, visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/. 

Operations: Firefighters will continue working below the Mogollon Rim and along the Horton Creek Trail today, enhancing control features by removing available fuels with the use of hand tools and planned ignitions, from both the ground and the air, as conditions allow. Air resources may be less available today due to forecasted increasing and sporadic winds, especially on top of the rim. The fire is expected to continue moving south and off the face of the rim, and into the head of Horton Creek. Firefighters are working around the clock in this area to secure the fire line in this steep and difficult terrain. Structure protection resources laid over 7,000 feet of hose yesterday near the areas of Tonto Creek Estates and Christopher Creek. As additional incident personnel continue to arrive, the public is reminded to please practice caution when traveling in the area.  

TFR: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR 4/0101) is in place for the Horton Fire. More information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_0101.html 

Weather: The fire area is forecasted to experience temperatures from the low-30s to mid-50s with relative humidity around 16-25%. SW Winds will increase with localized gusts of 20-30 mph across the Rim. No precipitation is expected in the next 48 hours.

Evacuations, Road Closures and Forest Orders: The communities of Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery, Kohls Ranch, and Zane Grey Cabins are in SET evacuation status. The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.  
 
Highway closures are not currently in effect due to the Horton Fire, however reduced visibility due to smoke on SR-260 is possible. Travelers are encouraged to monitor roadway status and conditions via AZ Department of Transportation at https://www.az511.com/. A Forest closure order for the Horton Fire is in effect. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire as well as protecting assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. Learn more at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices. 

Information Links and Contacts:
Tonto National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
InciWeb https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-horton-fire-2024
Fire Email 2024.horton@firenet.gov
Fire Information Line (602)-551-7327 • Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.