Suppression efforts continue on Calf Canyon Fire

April 21, 2022, Daily Update, 10:00AM

 Incendio Calf Canyon

20 de abril de 2022 Actualización diaria

 Calf Canyon Fire

April 20, 2022, Daily Update, 9:00AM

There will be a virtual community meeting today April 20th at 6:00PM. Subject matter experts, local officials, and members of the Southwest Incident Management Team will give an update on current fire conditions here at https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF
 
 

 The Calf Canyon Fire is located on Federal land near Gallinas Canyon. The fire is currently 300 acres and at 0% containment. Southwest Area Team 1, which is also in command of the Hermits Peak Fire, will assume command of this incident. Hermits Peak Fire resources assisted with initial attack today and will continue to be actively engaged on the fire.

The communities along the Highway 89 corridor, north of Flagstaff, from Campbell Avenue to the north entrance of Forest Service Road 545 (Wupatki National Monument) will be downgraded from “SET” (Pre-evacuation) to “READY” status. 

 “READY” status means-  you are aware of and monitoring fire activity in your area. You should have basic plans in place for yourselves, important documents, medications, pets and livestock in the event that a “GO” message is received. 

 “SET” status means- knowing there is significant danger in your area - residents should consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating.  Grab your emergency go kit. Keep in mind unique needs for your family or special equipment for pets and livestock. Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.  

The decision to downgrade evacuation status was made with the Type 1 Fire Incident Management Team that is now managing the Tunnel Fire.  After considering several factors to include fire behavior, fuel types, natural barriers, estimated time of evacuation, and other factors it was determined that this area was no longer currently in imminent danger from the Tunnel Fire. 

The neighborhoods and communities included in this change of status are Timberline, Fernwood, Brandis Way, Girls Ranch Road, Pumpkin Patch, Lenox Park, Wupatki Estates and Antelope Hills.

Current Situation: Containment on the Tunnel Fire increased to 43% on Wednesday evening due to firefighters’ continued hard work to mop- up and secure the fire’s perimeter in the Sunset Crater National Monument and Black Mountain areas. Critical fire weather caused increased fire behavior resulting in interior pockets of smoke. This was not a threat to the perimeter and there was no fire growth. Suppression repair work occurred along Forest Road 545 and in Sunset Crater National Park.
 Crews will remain on the Tunnel Fire for several days to patrol for smokes and mop-up as needed, finish backhaul of equipment that is no longer in use, and to complete suppression repair. As work is accomplished, resources will be released and made available to respond to other priority fires in the Southwest.
 As of this morning, the Tunnel Fire is 19,075 acres. The reduction in size is due to more accurately depicting the fire’s edge south of Darton Dome near the lava flows.
 Tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. the management of the Tunnel Fire will transition to the Coconino National Forests’ Type 4 Incident Commander. They will provide periodic updates as conditions change on the ground. Inciweb will be updated until the fire is contained. Highway 89 has reopened.
 Weather: There is a Red Flag Warning in effect for Thursday for low humidity levels and increased winds. Firefighters will continue to patrol and mop-up. They expect any active burning to be within the existing fire perimeter. Much of the visible smoke is a result of several large fires burning in the Region.

Fire restrictions remain in place. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire are prohibited. For more information, please visit the Coconino National Forest website.