Single Publication

Horton Fire Daily Update

December 25, 2024

Size: 898 acres 
Cause: Under Investigation 
Containment: 15% 
Total personnel: 150 
Start Date: December 14, 2024 
Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona 
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral

Highlights: The Horton Fire remains at 898 acres with 15% containment with crews remaining on-scene today to monitor the fire.

Operations: Minimal fire activity was observed across the fire area yesterday, including slow creeping and smoldering conditions with short flame lengths less than 1 foot. Crews patrolled and secured the fireline along Forest Road 300 and Highway 260. 

Today, resources on the western end of the fire will be patrolling and securing fireline, making improvements where needed and extinguishing hot spots when present. Fire still has potential for continued, though minimal, growth in east Horton drainage. Firefighters will hold fire south of Forest Road 300, east of Horton Trail and north of Highway 260 while conducting point protection as needed on infrastructure and other values at risk.

Weather: Temperatures will range from lows in the 20s to highs in the low 50s with relative humidity at 36-40% today. Wind gusts up to 25mph are expected today with light precipitation through tomorrow. No snow accumulation or significant wetting rain is 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: Light smoke from the Horton Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. More information is available 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.