The upper West Fork of Fishtrap Road is closed above the Stoney Lake Turnoff. 

Barktable Road is closed to all public use. 

Thorne Creek Fire Closures 9/9/2021

Updated 9/9/2021 to add the map and to reflect that Copper King Campground is open, with Thompson River Road closed just above (north) of the campground.

With the warm, dry weather over Labor Day weekend Thorne Creek Fire activity along the Thompson River corridor has picked up again, resulting in a few re-closures:

• For public and firefighter safety, the Thompson River Road has been closed again at the end of the pavement just above Copper King Campground upstream to Barktable Road.
• This road closure also results in the closure of Clark Memorial Campground. 
• Barktable Road remains closed to all public use.
• Please slow down while driving on the roads that are open in the fire area, keeping a close eye out for fire-related traffic.

A large area closure remains around the Thorne Creek Fire, in addition to the roads listed above. Visit the Closures Page for full information and maps.

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Due to recent cool weather and precipitation, fire managers will lift the area closure for the Thorne Creek Fire on September 24, 2021. All roads and trails within the burned area will be open unless otherwise specified below. The Thorne Creek Fire is 81% contained and 19 personnel continue to work on suppression activities. Currently, all mechanical suppression repair is complete on the fire. Firefighters continue mop-up activities and are working to identify and remove hazard trees along the main Thompson River Road and the West Fork of the Thompson River Road. Interior smoking/burning of heavy fuels may continue to occur within the fire perimeter on warm, dry, and breezy days or until a season-ending event occurs, like significant snowfall.

After hazards along roadways are addressed, crews will work on removing/falling immediate hazard trees along major trails. Trail clearing and hazard tree removal in this area will be an ongoing process and will take multiple seasons to address, especially after winter weather impacts the burned area. 

 

 NEW! (9/24/21) The area closure has lifted, some road closures remain in place: 

• Thompson River Road (#56) closure will remain in place from the end of the pavement, just past Copper King Campground, to Barktable Road (#16271) with barriers at each end.
• Due to the Thompson River road closure, Clark Memorial Campground remains closed.
• Due to the Thompson River road closure, access to the Pricilla/Sundance Ridge (#433) trailhead off the Thompson River Road remains closed.
• The West Fork of Thompson River Road (#603) will remain closed which means access to the trailheads along the West Fork of Thompson River Road will be closed including: Honeymoon Creek Trailhead (#469), Big Spruce Creek Trailhead (#1102) Cabin Lake/Four Lakes Loop Trailhead (#450/460/459) and Goat Lakes Trailhead (#478). Access to these trails is still available by foot via trailheads located off the Graves Creek Road or north of Thompson Falls.
• The lower/southern portion of Graves Creek Road is OPEN; however, the upper Graves Creek bridge was burned in the fire and Vermillion Pass is inaccessible from Thompson Falls. The District is working on plans to replace the burned bridge.
• Access to Winnimuck (#506), Vermillion/Headley (#528), and Slide Rock (#529) trails will only be possible via roads following the Vermillion River and/or Willow creek on the Kootenai NF to the north. 

The Tonto National Forest has issued a temporary road and area closure for the Middle Fire. The signed closure order and map are available on the Tonto National Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, assumed command of the Middle Fire this morning, Friday, July 9, 2021 at 6 a.m. A Type 2 Incident Management Team brings additional resources and management capabilities to manage the increasingly complex fire.

Operations: The Middle Fire was first discovered on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, just outside of the Mazatzal Wilderness boundary on the Cave Creek Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest. The Middle Fire was one of several lightning-caused fires that occurred last week as a result of thunderstorms passing through the area. The fire is burning 3 miles west of the Verde River and 3 miles northeast of Red Creek Ranch, in a remote area where access to the forest is extremely challenging due to steep, rocky terrain. Throughout the week, fire activity has steadily increased due to outflow winds from recent thunderstorms, higher temperatures, and lower humidity, and the fire continues to grow to the north and northeast in difficult terrain. Aviation resources have been assisting with mapping and information gathering while firefighters have been scouting for opportunities to safely and successfully contain the fire. Crews are currently assessing and providing protection around ranches and other infrastructure in the area.

Weather: Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon. Primary hazards associated with these storms include strong gusty winds, brief heavy rainfall and lightning. Isolated showers may also develop on Saturday but should remain in the higher terrain. High temperatures ranging from 102-105 degrees are expected over the fire area.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. The public is strongly urged to stay clear of the fire area. The Tonto National Forest has issued a temporary road and area closure for the Middle Fire. The signed closure order and map are available on the Tonto National Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

Restrictions: The Tonto National Forest remains in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions until September 30, 2021, or until rescinded. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place to protect the public and firefighters, as well as National Forest System lands and resources, during a period of very high to extreme wildlife danger. The Stage 2 Fire Restrictions order, along with accompanying map, are available on the Tonto National Forest website. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. Unauthorized use of drones in a wildfire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly an unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire. See www.nifc.gov/drones for additional information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground.

Smoke: Smoke from the Middle Fire may be visible from communities in the surrounding area. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your location to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

Media & Public Information Contact

Email: 2021.middle@firenet.gov •  Phone: (602) 428-5397 • Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7622/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest • Twitter: @TontoForest

The daily operational video update is now available on the Tonto National Forest Facebook page. 

Highlights: At the direction of the local agency, Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 is developing modified suppression tactics for the Middle Fire while concentrating on public and firefighter safety. The operational emphasis for the fire is focused on protecting existing infrastructure as well as significant natural and cultural resources.  

Operations: The Middle Fire is currently burning in rough, rugged terrain with minimal road access. Firefighters are scouting north and west of the fire to locate potential access routes and develop the best plan of action for containment. Fire managers are using aircraft to conduct reconnaissance flights over the fire area to detect and observe fire activity, and to gather intelligence to inform their management strategy. Yesterday, the fire was mainly active on the east perimeter and burned primarily in grass and light brush. Very little activity was observed on the northwest side. Firefighters are giving special attention to those locations where critical natural, cultural, and physical assets may be threatened by the fire’s spread.

Weather: An Excessive Heat Warning will bring very hot temperatures today before some cooling is expected to return on Sunday. Shower and thunderstorm activity is expected to decrease today as slightly drier air works into the region. Although thunderstorm activity is not expected near the fire, distant thunderstorms will still have the capability to produce gusty outflow winds. Outside of any thunderstorm winds, look for southwest winds in the afternoon around 10 to 15 mph with occasional gusts to 20 mph. High temperatures will once again exceed 105 degrees. Monsoonal moisture is expected to increase next week bringing the potential of more scattered storms that will produce heavy rain.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. The public is strongly urged to stay clear of the fire area. The Tonto National Forest has issued a temporary road and area closure for the Middle Fire. The signed closure order and map are available on the Tonto National Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

Restrictions: The Tonto National Forest remains in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions until September 30, 2021, or until rescinded. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place to protect the public and firefighters, as well as National Forest System lands and resources, during a period of very high to extreme wildlife danger. The Stage 2 Fire Restrictions order, along with accompanying map, are available on the Tonto National Forest website. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. Unauthorized use of drones in a wildfire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly an unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire. See www.nifc.gov/drones for additional information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground.

Smoke: Smoke from the Middle Fire may be visible from communities in the surrounding area. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your location to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

Media & Public Information Contact

Email: 2021.middle@firenet.gov •  Phone: (602) 428-5397 • Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7622/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest • Twitter: @TontoForest
 
 

Highlights: Yesterday, precipitation fell over the Middle Fire reducing fire activity in some areas of the fire. Despite receiving a quarter to a half inch of rain, the fire grew over 350 acres to the north through grass and light brush over Long Mesa.

Operations: Firefighters continue to scout for viable roads and access points into the Middle Fire. Rugged terrain and impassable roads are preventing direct access in and out of the fire area. Firefighters are working to protect critical infrastructure in the area, including powerlines managed by the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). Even though the fire is approaching the powerlines, vegetation treatments implemented by WAPA are expected to reduce fire behavior underneath the lines. Little activity was observed on the western and eastern sides of the fire, with the most intense heat concentrated on the northern end.

Weather: Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected again today as high pressure keeps an easterly flow over the area. The most favored times for storms to develop will be after 3 p.m. Brief, heavy rain and gusty, erratic winds are possible with any storm. Temperatures will be slightly cooler today but still hot with highs in the low 100s. Light terrain-driven winds in the morning will move out of the west in the afternoon with speeds of 10-15 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Monsoonal moisture is expected to increase early in the week with scattered, afternoon thunderstorms expected for much of next week. Some storms could produce heavy rain and flash flooding.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. The public is strongly urged to stay clear of the fire area. The Tonto National Forest has issued a temporary road and area closure for the Middle Fire. The signed closure order and map are available on the Tonto National Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

Restrictions: The Tonto National Forest remains in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions until September 30, 2021, or until rescinded. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place to protect the public and firefighters, as well as National Forest System lands and resources, during a period of very high to extreme wildlife danger. The Stage 2 Fire Restrictions order, along with accompanying map, are available on the Tonto National Forest website. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. Unauthorized use of drones in a wildfire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly an unmanned aircraft over or near a wildfire. See www.nifc.gov/drones for additional information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground.

Smoke: Smoke from the Middle Fire, along with several other fires burning in central Arizona, may be visible from communities in the surrounding area. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your location to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

Media & Public Information Contact

Email: 2021.middle@firenet.gov •  Phone: (602) 428-5397 • Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7622/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest • Twitter: @TontoForest

Highlights: Firefighters are working toward completion of incident objectives, with a focus on providing protection for structures and areas of high value. Yesterday, fire managers flew into the fire area to assess structures that could be impacted by the fire, including private ranches. Firefighters created defensible space around a critical piece of U.S. Forest Service communications equipment by removing flammable vegetation around the area. Defensible space provides a buffer that will help stop or slow fire progression to protect these values.

Operations: In addition to managing the Middle Fire, firefighters are lending support to other emerging fires on the Tonto National Forest. A Type 2 helicopter assigned to the Middle Fire was used to drop water on a new fire that started near the community of Strawberry. Another helicopter conducted a reconnaissance flight over the nearby Bear Fire. The Type 2 helicopter later provided support by monitoring and dropping water on the Ocotillo Fire. Despite severe thunderstorms in the area, the Middle Fire did not receive any rain yesterday. However, the increase in humidity and cloud cover limited fire growth to only 8 acres, as wildland fuels are not receiving adequate sunlight to dry out and carry fire.  

Weather: Ample monsoonal moisture is expected to enter the region over the next several days. Scattered thunderstorms are forecasted each afternoon through the week with a high chance for lightning each day. Afternoon storms should develop over the Mogollon Rim and gradually push southwest toward the fire. Gusty outflow winds, heavy rain, frequent lightning, and flash flooding will be a concern near any storm. Temperatures today will be about 2 degrees cooler with highs around 100 degrees. Light south winds in the morning will become west around 10 mph with occasional gusts to 15 mph. By late afternoon, gusty outflow winds are expected in the fire area. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity are expected through mid-week with the influx of monsoonal
moisture.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority. The Tonto National Forest has issued a temporary road and area closure for the Middle Fire, available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

Restrictions: The Tonto National Forest remains in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions until September 30, 2021, or until rescinded. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place to protect the public and firefighters, as well as National Forest System lands and resources, during a period of very high to extreme wildfire danger. The Stage 2 Fire Restrictions order, along with accompanying map, are available on the Tonto National Forest website. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. See www.nifc.gov/drones for information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting.

Smoke: Smoke from the Middle Fire, along with several other fires burning in central Arizona, may be visible from communities in the surrounding area. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom in to your location to see the latest smoke information. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

Highlights: At the direction of the local agency, fire managers are using modified suppression tactics that focus on completion of incident objectives rather than full containment of the fire. Percent completion is measured by the progress made toward meeting established incident objectives. The primary objective of the Middle Fire is to maintain firefighter and public safety by making sound risk management decisions and actions. Firefighters are expected to implement strategies and tactics that identify the values at risk and commit responders only to operations that meet sound risk management principles. This process involves weighing the probability of success against best management practices. The percent completion has increased to 28% as firefighters are working to protect the identified values that could be impacted by the Middle Fire.
 
Operations: Yesterday, a Type 3 helicopter transported the Payson helitack crew into the northern portion of the fire area. The helitack crew established several new helispots to provide improved takeoff and landing areas for the helicopters. The Carson Hotshots secured a section of fireline by “cold trailing” along the southern end of the fire. Cold trailing is a method of carefully inspecting the fire’s edge to identify any remaining heat. Firefighters then extinguish any heat that is discovered, preventing the fire from spreading any further in that area.