HEBER, Ariz., June 21, 2021 – The Wyrick Fire near Heber was approximately 5,700 acres Monday morning.  Due to the heat and dry conditions, the fire remained active on all fronts. Predominate winds out of the west southwest, pushed the fire mostly to the east. A Type 2 Incident Management Team under the command of Mark Bernal is scheduled to assume management of the fire Tuesday, June 22.  

Closures and Evacuations: The Wyrick Fire has advanced toward Heber, and reached a starting point for setting evacuations into motion in Heber and Overgaard. Current status as of 3 pm: 

As of 3 pm June 21, 2021

Areas in READY Status:

Please be advised that activity has increased on the Wyrick Fire northwest of Heber, 1.5 miles from 95A. Outflow winds from thunderstorms are pushing the fire toward the southeast and generally spreading in all directions. Estimated size is 173 acres.

HEBER, Ariz., June 19, 2021 – The Wyrick Fire is approximately eight miles northwest of Heber on the Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The fire is burning in pinyon-juniper and grass with long range spotting up to one-quarter mile. There are approximately 60 personnel on the fire. Major concerns are the 500 kV lines west and northwest of the fire and the Chevlon Retreat.

Smoke: Smoke from the Wyrick Fire may impact Heber, Chevlon Retreat and surrounding communities. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to search for current smoke information.
Closures and Evacuations: There is a temporary road closure at the junction of 504/99 to the Salvation Army on 504.

There is a temporary closure at the junction of 504/99 to the Salvation Army on 504. The 99 road is closed

Final Release Unless Further Activity

Dolores, CO, June 22, 2021 — There has been no new growth on the Trail Canyon Fire over the past two days and the fire is now 90% contained. Since fire lines have held through several days of hot and windy weather, fire managers are downsizing the firefighting effort after today.

“Our crews, with a lot of support from helicopters and airtankers, have done a great job keeping this fire from gaining any additional ground,” says Operations Chief Lance Martin. Many of those crews have been at the fire, in a remote part of Ute Mountain Ute Tribal lands, since Saturday. They have been working in hot and dusty conditions, in some steep and rugged terrain. The two hotshot crews assigned to the fire will be released this evening so they can get some rest before another fire needs their help. The Type 3 Incident Management Team that has been coordinating the firefight will also be leaving after today’s shift. “We appreciate the cooperation of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and all the local partners who contributed people and equipment to this effort,” added Martin.

Some firefighters will remain at the fire after today to continue to patrol the perimeter, look for and extinguish hot spots and take any other actions that may be needed.

Fire danger remains very high across Southern Colorado and all residents and visitors are encouraged to obey all fire restrictions, which are in place on most public, and many private lands, in this area.

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Dolores, CO, June 21, 2021 — Wind hit the Trail Canyon Fire again yesterday, but firefighters on the ground, with the help of helicopters and fixed-wing air tankers, have been able to minimize the fire’s growth. The fire is now 881 acres and 30 percent contained. Two bulldozers were used yesterday to create fire lines on relatively flat ground on the southeast side of the fire. Two Hotshot crews and four engines are also engaged. Two “heavy” Chinook helicopters, along with air tankers dropping retardant, were used to slow the fire’s spread in steep terrain along Mancos and Horse canyons.

“The drought has meant there is very little grass to burn on the fires’ southeast side,” said Incident Commander Brad Pietruszka, “and that helped us immensely because the fire slowed down after it burned out of the Piñon-Juniper forest where it started.” The fire, along with many others, was started by lightning Friday night. Firefighters will continue building and strengthening lines today. Conditions will be good for continued fire growth over the next few days with high temperatures and wind.
An incident information page has been established at:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7557/

Smoke from the Trail Canyon Fire has been from US Highway 160 and the Durango and Cortez areas.  Wildfire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health  

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Dolores, CO, June 19, 2021 — The Trail Canyon Fire grew from approximately 40 acres this morning to 840 acres late this afternoon after strong winds pushed the fire to the southeast. It is burning on Ute Mountain Ute Tribal lands 10 miles NW of Red Mesa, Colorado, in Montezuma County. Approximately 65 firefighters have been assigned to the fire and they are being assisted by helicopters and fixed-wing air tankers. Some structures could be threatened if the fire continues to move to the southeast.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team is leading the firefighting effort. Additional resources are expected to arrive tomorrow. Local fire units, as well as a group of eight smoke jumpers, responded yesterday afternoon. The fire is burning in rugged and remote terrain. It’s forward growth slowed when the head of the fire burned out of the Piñon-Juniper forest where it started, and hit a mix of grass and brush.

Smoke from the Trail Canyon Fire has been from US Highway 160 and the Durango and Cortez areas.  Wildfire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health  

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 Rock Butte Fires transition to Type 4 Team
 June 27, 2021
 
  Location:  Five fires north of Paulden and west of Hwy 89
 Start Date: 6/17/2021-6/18/2021Size:  Rock Butte -126 acres, Red Hat – 49 acres, Limestone – 33 acres, Silent – 27 acres, Spring – 567 acres
 Percent Contained:   Limestone, Silent, Red Hat are 100% contained; Rock Butte – 85%; Spring – 75%
 Cause: Lightning
 Vegetation: Grass, Brush, and Pinyon juniper 

This will be the last update on the Rock Butte Fires unless there is a significant change in fire activity.

Summary:  Management of the Rock Butte Fires has transitioned to a Type 4 Team. Fire managers’ main objective today is to patrol and monitor all 5 fives in the Rock Butte Fire area. Crews will continue to check the fire perimeters and be available for initial attack if afternoon thunderstorms bring lightning. Resource advisors report that the fire lines are in good condition.

 
Crew Resources:   3-Engines (12 personnel), 1 – Crew module (9 personnel), 1 – Resource Advisor

 
Weather:  Forecast is for a sunny day with warm temperatures with highs on the low 90’s, light northeast winds, 12% relative humidity and 0% chance of precipitation. Chance of showers tomorrow with 13-18% relative humidity.

 
Closures: Due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are scarce, the entirety of the Prescott National Forest will close for public safety, beginning Friday (June 25) at 8 a.m. See Prescott NF Forest website for more information.

 
For information on the Prescott National Forest, check out the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.      

 Wildfire Update – Rock Butte Fires June 26, 2021 
  The five fires being managed by the Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management team are the following from north to south:
 Rock Butte Fires
• Red Hat Fire - 49 acres – 100% containment
• Limestone Fire - 33 acres – 100% containment
• Spring Fire - 567 acres – 75% containment
• Rock Butte Fire – 126 acres – 56% containment
• Silent Fire - 27 acre – 100% containment

Location: North of Paulden, AZ and west of HWY 89 
 
RESOURCES:98 Personnel
• 4 Engines
• 2 Crews
• 1 Dozers
• 2 Water tenders
 
 
Fire Management transitions to the Forest Type 4 Incident Management Team  
Prescott, Ariz. [June 26, 2021] – All five fires in the Rock Butte Fires showed minimal activity yesterday. The Limestone, Red Hat and Silent fires are 100% contained and both the Spring and Rock Butte fires are more than 50% contained.  Today crews will continue to monitor and patrol the fires.
 
The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Ryan Barela is preparing to transition management of the Rock Butte Fires to the Prescott National Forest Type 4 Incident Management Team. 
 
The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Team would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the community of Paulden, Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, Arizona Department of Transportation, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, Yavapai County Emergency Management, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the Prescott National Forest for their support during the Rock Butte Fires Incident. 
 
WEATHER: A warming drying trend is bringing winds out of the north/northeast with maximum daytime temperatures around 89 and 14% relative humidity. Afternoon isolated thunderstorms over the Mogollon Rim may bring gusts up to 20 mph.

CLOSURES: The Prescott, Kaibab, Coconino, Tonto, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have all implemented Forest Closures this week. 

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: For fire restriction information around Arizona, visit: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions   
Fire Information Rock Butte Fires: 928-925-1111  Hours: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. 
Email for Rock Butte Fires: 2021.RockButte@firenet.gov 
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7556/ Prescott NF
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrescottNFPrescott NF
Twitter: twitter.com/PrescottNF