Kings Creek Fire July 17, 2022 10:00pm

Size: 500 acres
Containment: 65%
Cause: Under Investigation
Start Date: July 17, 2022

Crews from Texas A&M Forest Service are working in Unified Command with local fire departments in Kaufman County to contain the Kings Creek Fire. The fire started this afternoon in some thick brush and quickly began to spread requiring a large number of resources to stop it. Several different aviation resources were used to slow down forward progress and lower fire intensity. Lower fire intensity made it safer for dozers and engine crews to begin effectively constructing containment line around the outside of the fire. This process is still ongoing and will likely continue into tomorrow morning. As the dozers clear the perimeter of the fire of fuel, any combustible material, engines then drive along and work to extinguish any hot areas of the fire. These engines will continue to patrol around the edge of the fire putting out the hot areas for at least the next several hours. 

This weeks extended forecast calls for more heat and dry air with minimal chances for moisture. A weather pattern like this will only dry the fuels further, making wildfires more likely to occur and more intense when they do burn. Texas is currently in an extended drought and resources from across the country are working to assist with this fire as well as many of the wildfires across the state. 

Local residents are advised to take caution in this heat and be carefl when outside with anything that may cause a spark. Any thing like a chain dragging or a tire blowing on the side of the road is very likely to start a fire at this time. 

Wilson Canyon Fire July 17, 2022 3:30pm

Size: 100 acres
Containment: 0%
Cause: Under Investigation
Start Date: July 17, 2022

Crews from Texas A&M Forest Service are working in Unified Command with Erath County Fire Department to suppress a wildfire located 5 miles southeast of Lipanrt, Texas. The fire grew quickly from on top of a ridge and through large grass areas. Aerial resources are being used to knock down the fire while dozers, engines, and handcrews have begun constructing line around the edge of the fire. Hot and dry conditions are causing vegetation to reach critically dry levels, turning even live grass into fuel for a wildfire.

High temperatures and low humidity are expected to continue through this week with little to no chance for moisture. As these conditions continue, the energy release component, or how intense the fire burns, are reaching record levels. Fires that start are going to be resistant to control and take lots of resources to be suppressed successfully.

With multiple aircraft working in the area it is important that any drones are not in the air. Any drones spotted will cause air operations to stop and leave the fire due to the danger to their safety. Remember, if you fly we can't. 

Acre: 200
Containment: 90% 
Cause: Unknown

Aircraft were successful with water drops on hotspots of the fire, and allowed dozer crews to increase containment of the fire to 90%. The fire behavior has moderated as the evening progressed, and all structures are secured and being monitored by local fire departments  

SEDONA, Ariz., July 17, 2022 –  Erratic thunderstorm-caused winds Sunday evening led to an increase in size and fire behavior on the Committee Fire, which is now roughly 300 acres and located east of Sedona.

The fire is moving at a moderate rate of spread through heavy brush. Containment is at 0 percent.

Sunday operations included ground and aerial work. Helicopters shuttled firefighters to the top of the mesa to conduct ground operations throughout the day in addition to performing bucket drops along the steep edges of Jacks Canyon.

Crews plan to spend Monday conducting similar operations. 

There is a 20 percent chance of precipitation with a slight chance of thunderstorms Monday afternoon.

Current resources assigned to the Committee Fire include two Hotshot crews, one engine, one fuels crew, two Type 1 helicopters, one type 2 helicopter, one Type 3 helicopter, an Unmanned Aircraft System and miscellaneous overhead. Additional resources have been ordered.

Individuals are asked to refrain from flying drones anywhere around the fire's perimeter due to the large number of aerial resources working on the Committee Fire. If drones are present, all forest aircraft must be grounded, which hinders firefighting efforts.

Smoke will continue to be visible from the Sedona area. No structures are threatened at this time. 

A closure order has been issued for various roads and trails in the fire area. Closures may update at any time.

The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. Friday and was likely caused by lightning.

 SEDONA, Ariz., July 17, 2022 – Erratic shifting winds due to thunderstorms have led to an increase in smoke and size on the Committee Fire, located east of Sedona on Munds Mountain.

 SEDONA, Ariz., July 16, 2022 – The Committee Fire, located east of Sedona on Munds Mountain, is now at 100 acres.

The fire has a low-to-moderate rate of spread through heavy brush, and is currently moving in a north/ northeast direction. Containment is at 0 percent.

Resources assigned to the Committee Fire include two Type 1 helicopters, one Hotshot crew, one engine and one fuels crew. Additional resources are on order.

Helicopters spent Saturday conducting bucket drops.

Smoke will continue to be visible from the Sedona area, as well as along Interstate 17. No structures are threatened at this time.

Both Munds Mountain Trail and Jacks Canyon Trail are closed for public and firefighter safety. 

There is a 20 percent chance of precipitation on Sunday. Forecasted thunderstorms could cause erratic and unpredictable winds, regardless of whether rain is received.

The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. Friday and was likely caused by lightning.

SEDONA, Ariz., July 15, 2022 – Resources are responding to the 10-acre Committee Fire, located on the back side of Munds Mountain (GPS: 34°51'25.8"N 111°42'47.4"W), east of Sedona.

The fire has a moderate rate of spread and is moving through heavy brush in a north direction across the top of Munds Mountain.

There are no structures threatened at this time.

There is a 50 percent chance of precipitation in the area later this evening.

Travelers on Interstate 17 can expect to see smoke throughout the day.

The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. and was likely caused by lightning

Cooler temperatures coupled with precipitation continued to moderate fire activity on all fires in the Dalton Highway Complex on Sunday. The MM 125 Fire (#441) showed minimal fire behavior; crews worked on hotspots on the southern perimeter to keep it east of Dalton Highway. Crews continued suppression efforts on the Idaho Bar Fire (#555). The Curky (#318), Prospect (#494), Troublesome (#359), and Huron (#372) Fires all remained inactive. Some surface and subsurface hotspots remain scattered across the complex and will continue to creep and smolder in the deep duff layer. All fires have benefitted from the precipitation, whether a light drizzle to measurable amounts of rain. The cooling trend and precipitation are expected to continue into this week.

Firefighters continue to check on all fires within the complex to ensure that all appropriate actions are being taken. The Curky (#318), Little Salt (#521), Tozitna (#543), Idaho Bar (#555), and Montana Gulch (#556) Fires are full-suppression fires. The remaining 12 fires in the complex are in monitor and point-protection status. Idaho Bar Fire (#555) is the most active fire in the complex. Crews continue to mop up and secure the Fort Hamlin Hills Fire (#562) on the east side of the Dalton Highway.

Dalton Highway Complex (89,100 acres): The acreage total includes all fires in the Dalton Highway Complex. Fluctuation in reported acreage is due to additional mapping analysis by the incident’s GIS specialists. The largest or most active fires in the complex are

• Curky Fire (#318): 28,961 acres, located 4.5 miles west of MP 84 on the Dalton Highway
• Douglas Fire (#336): 23,124 acres, located on both sides of the Dalton Highway between MP 141 and MP 149
• Huron Fire (#372): 18,822 acres, located between Rampart and the Dalton Highway
• MM 125 Fire (#441): 2,986 acres, located between MP 121 and MP 125 on the Dalton Highway
• Troublesome Fire (#359): 13,282 acres, located 11.5 miles east of Rampart
• Fort Hamlin Hills Fire (#562): 615 acres, located between MP 70 and MP 73 on the Dalton Highway
• Idaho Bar Fire (#555): 112 acres, located 4.5 miles southeast of Rampart

Fire Weather: The cool, wet weather pattern will persist through the week as several weather fronts pass through the Interior.

Closures: Arctic Circle Campground is closed due to firefighting activity. Arctic Circle Wayside (sign location) is open.

Public Safety: Smoke conditions can change rapidly. When driving on the Dalton Highway, be prepared for possible temporary delays, use caution, practice patience, and always drive with headlights on.  The road is narrow, and stopping for any reason is discouraged.

Contact Information: 2022.daltonhighwaycomplex@firenet.gov, 907-921-2547 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily)