Single Publication

Horton Fire Daily Update

December 23, 2024

Size: 898 acres 
Cause: Under Investigation 
Containment: 0% 
Total personnel: 181 
Start Date: December 14, 2024 
Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona 
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral

Highlights: The Horton Fire is currently 898 acres with 0% containment. A weather shift is expected through Christmas Day, with cooler temperatures and increased humidity forecasted. No fire activity has occurred below the Highline Trail and the fire continues to hold along Forest Road (FR) 300 to FR 9305. Fire activity remains east of Horton Spring and in the headwaters of East Fork of Horton Creek drainage, area with steep, rugged terrain on the Mogollon Rim where direct engagement is not feasible and ground transportation time takes longer than 4 hours to get firefighters out of the area if injured.

Operations: Crews made great progress yesterday, successfully completing prep along the powerline corridor on the southwest portion of the fire and along FR 300 on the north end of the fire. Minimal growth was observed in East Fork of Horton Creek drainage and onto Promontory Point.

Today, crews will monitor fire activity and prep recreational infrastructure on the north end of the fire along FR 300, by removing leaf litter and downed material away from signs, restrooms, and kiosks. To the south, ground resources will complete handline around Christopher Creek and continue working along the powerline corridor. 

Assessing values at risk remains a priority. Incident personnel are identifying the best course of action to protect these values with the highest probability of success if persistent, dry conditions persist. Crews will patrol the fireline, improving containment features where necessary.

Weather: The fire area will experience cooler temperatures with highs in the mid-upper 50s and increased relative humidity at 25-30%. By mid-week, temperatures will reach the mid-50s, relative humidity will increase, and winds will range from 10-20mph. Light precipitation is possible but no significant, wetting rains are expected. .

Closures: An emergency closure order for the Horton Fire is in effect from Dec. 18, 2024, to Jan. 31, 2025. The public is asked to avoid the fire area. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. Please visit the Alerts and Notices page for more information. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices. The Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery is also closed due to the Horton Fire. 

Safety: The communities of Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery, and Zane Grey Cabins remain in SET evacuation status. 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.

Smoke: Smoke from the Horton Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. 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 at https://www.azdeq.gov/.

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. – 5 p.m.