(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – Operational priorities today include searching for hot spots within the Haystack Fire (#196) perimeter and monitoring for lightning holdover fires in the vicinity. A holdover fire or sleeper fire can smolder below the surface of the ground for a substantial amount of time until temperatures warm, vegetation dries, and winds breathe life into the dormant fire. Today the weather is expected to be warmer and dryer than the past several days, so hot spots and holdover fires could begin to generate more visible smoke.

While containment is increasing, substantial challenges remain as line is completed around the entire fire. Firefighters are constructing line in steep terrain that bulldozers cannot access. The Snake River Valley crew will arrive today from Oregon, as the White Mountain Crew heads home to Fairbanks for much deserved rest.

A portion of an old fuel break constructed during the 2004 Boundary Fire by the State of Alaska Division of Forestry was instrumental in stopping the northeast progression of the Haystack Fire. One of the best ways to protect Alaska communities from wildfire and reduce firefighting costs is constructing fuel breaks between populated areas and wildlands or forested areas. The Division of Forestry recently received $5 million from the State Legislature for fuels reduction programs and is currently assessing and prioritizing fuels reduction projects around the state. Fuel breaks have played an important role in fighting several recent fires that threatened Alaska communities, including Funny River Fire in 2014, East Fork Fire in 2018, Shovel Creek and Swan Lake fires in 2019, and now the Haystack Fire.

Incident Commander, Ed Sanford, will hold a community meeting outdoors at the Haystack Mountain Laundry and Showers (5001 Haystack Drive) at 7:00pm on Tuesday, June 22. The intent of the meeting is to present information about operations for Haystack Fire (#196) and identify community concerns that may influence objectives and strategies. Members of the incident management team and agency representatives will be available to answer questions.

The Moose Creek Cabin in the White Mountains National Recreation Area is closed due to proximity to the fire. The Bureau of Land Management will continue to monitor the fire status and resume reservations when firefighting efforts in the area are reduced.

Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations encourages residents to sign up for wildland fire information alerts issued by the borough by texting "FNSB2021Wildfire" to 226787.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire and some of the surrounding area to provide a safe operating environment for firefighting aircraft. Go to https://tfr.faa.gov for more information.

Public Information: (907) 931- 8113        Email: 2021.Haystack@firenet.gov

www.akfireinfo.com ♦inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7548 ♦ http://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry

(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – Incident Commander, Ed Sanford, will hold a community meeting outdoors at the Haystack Mountain Laundry and Showers (5001 Haystack Drive) at 7:00pm on Tuesday, June 22. The intent of the meeting is to present information about operations for Haystack Fire (#196), identify community concerns that may influence objectives and strategies. Members of the incident management team and agency representatives will be available to answer questions.

Approximately one-half inch of rain fell on the fire from the weather front moving through the area, continuing to reduce potential for an increase fire activity today. More rain is forecast for today, but the area is expected to see warmer weather at the end of this week, with long hours of sunlight to dry forest fuels and increase visible smoke.

Firefighters constructed another 2 miles of saw lines with hose-lays along the steep slopes on the east side of the fire. Crews continue to find and cool hot spots burning up to 12 inches deep into the forest floor. Engines remain stationed in the Haystack Subdivision to evaluate wildfire risks to homes and recommend actions to reduce hazards.

The Moose Creek Cabin in the White Mountains National Recreation Area is closed due to proximity to the fire. The Bureau of Land Management will continue to monitor the fire status and resume reservations when firefighting efforts in the area are reduced.

Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations encourages residents to sign up for wildland fire information alerts issued by the borough by texting "FNSB2021Wildfire" to 226-787.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire and some of the surrounding area to provide a safe operating environment for firefighting aircraft. Go to https://tfr.faa.gov for more information.

Public Information: (907) 931- 8113        Email: 2021.Haystack@firenet.gov

(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – The Haystack Fire (#196) is smoldering and creeping in the dry duff, leaves and needles covering the forest floor. Crews have detected heat up to 12 inches deep in the duff on the south end of the fire, while on the north side, heat depth is approximately 5 inches. Cool weather, higher humidity, and relatively calm winds continue to decrease smoke and visible fire activity. However, the particularly deep hot spots pose threats to revive the fire if a warm, dry weather pattern returns. 

Firefighters continue to construct and improve containment lines. The Upper Tanana Crew #2 is making excellent progress on the north side of the fire, working on the black/burned side of the dozer line to locate and cool hot spots. The Yukon Fire Crew, arriving today from the Winter Trail Fire, will develop heli-spots needed to facilitate the efficient movement of crews and gear. 

On the northeast side of the fire, the Winema Hotshots are constructing saw line and installing hose-lays to the south. The Midnight Sun Hotshots and White Mountain Crew are on the southeast side, working toward the north. They are making good progress on extremely difficult fire perimeter, scrambling along the steep and challenging hillsides, inaccessible to heavy equipment. 

On the south side of the fire, the Tanana Chiefs and Highlands crews continue to improve the width of the containment line, methodically checking for hot spots in the burned area. Engines and dozers are also staged in the Haystack Subdivision area. Those firefighters are focused on evaluating wildfire risks to homes in the area and providing information to homeowners to reduce hazards. 

The Moose Creek Cabin in the White Mountains National Recreation Area is closed due to proximity to the fire. The Bureau of Land Management will continue to monitor the fire status and resume reservations when firefighting efforts in the area are reduced. 

Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations encourages residents to sign up for wildland fire information alerts issued by the borough by texting "FNSB2021Wildfire" to 226-787. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire and some of the surrounding area to provide a safe operating environment for firefighting aircraft. Go to https://tfr.faa.gov for more information. 

Public Information: (907) 931- 8113  Email: 2021.Haystack@firenet.gov 

www.akfireinfo.com ♦inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7548 ♦ http://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry 

 (FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – Cool, humid conditions continue to assist firefighters constructing and improving containment line around the Haystack Fire (#196). Dozers are making slow progress on the north end, working from east to west. Containment remains at 30%, with line in place along the western flank of the fire perimeter. Crews are continuing to lay hose lines and install pumps to mop-up hot spots on the perimeter to increase the width of the containment line. 

Moderated fire activity allowed a better survey of the fire area providing a revised estimate of acreage to be 927. Published maps today, show a more accurate representation of the fire area.  

The east side of the fire presently poses the greatest challenges. There are eight to ten miles of hand line to be constructed in steep and rugged terrain. While the eight dozers operating on the Haystack Fire have been invaluable resources to help contain the other flanks, they cannot operate in the terrain on the east side. Two Type 1 crews are assigned, as well as three Type 2 initial attack crews and a Type 2 hand crew, supported by two helicopters. They will continue to cut and plumb a saw line along the fire’s edge as they work towards containment. 

Thunderstorms are again forecast for today. Although the moisture is expected to moderate fire behavior and decrease ignition potential, the accompanying lightning strikes can smolder in the forest floor for days. For example, the thunderstorm that ignited the Haystack Fire occurred on June 7, but the fire was not able to be detected by aerial spotters until June 14. It took a week for hot, dry weather conditions to form and sufficiently dry combustible fuels that kindled the flames. A similar weather pattern appears to be developing this week, with cooler temperatures, moisture, and lightning at the beginning of the week and warmer, dry weather by the end of the week.  

The Moose Creek Cabin in the White Mountains National Recreation Area is closed due to proximity to the fire. The Bureau of Land Management will continue to monitor the fire status and resume reservations when firefighting efforts in the area are reduced. 

Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations encourages residents to sign up for wildland fire information alerts issued by the borough by texting "FNSB2021Wildfire" to 226-787. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire and some of the surrounding area to provide a safe operating environment for firefighting aircraft. Go to https://tfr.faa.gov for more information. 

Public Information: (907) 931- 8113  Email: 2021.Haystack@firenet.gov 

www.akfireinfo.com ♦inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7548 ♦ http://www.facebook.com/AK.Forestry 

(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) –Alaska Division of Forestry initial attack firefighters constructed containment line to reach around 30 percent of the Haystack Fire (#196) before transferring command to the Alaska Incident Management Team early this morning. Since responding on Tuesday, forestry crews along with other Alaskan wildfire suppression agencies have scrambled to contain the fire amidst extreme fire behavior on Wednesday. A group of eight dozers have been working to open old firebreaks and construct new ones. A couple of dozers worked through the night to cut line around the fire where it crossed over control lines to the north. Firefighters were able to cut a saw line around a 0.6 acre spot that crossed to the southside of Caribou Creek about a mile from the Haystack subdivision.

Today firefighters will continue to construct dozer and hand lines around the northern portion of the fire tying it in with crews working on both flanks. Two additional crews that arrived from the Lower 48 on Thursday will be inserted in the operation. Crews are working on laying hoses and installing pumps along the fire perimeter to mop-up hot spots in the interior of the fire area.

Heavy rains across the Fairbanks area did not reach the fire area but light rain was reported on the fire Thursday morning, increasing humidity and moderated fire activity. Continued inclement weather is expected to continue to cool the fire over the next few days, reducing potential for torching and spotting. However, afternoon thundershowers remain in the forecast, which pose threat for additional lightning or strong winds. Fuels in the Haystack Mountain area remain dry and conditions for fire ignition and spread remain high.

The Moose Creek Cabin in the White Mountains National Recreation Area is closed due to proximity to the fire. The Bureau of Land Management will continue to monitor the fire status and resume reservations when firefighting efforts in the area are reduced.

Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations encourages residents to sign up for wildland fire information alerts issued by the borough by texting "FNSB2021Wildfire" to 226-787.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire and some of the surrounding area to provide a safe operating environment for firefighting aircraft. Go to https://tfr.faa.gov for more information.

Public Information: (907) 356- 5511      Email: 2021.Haystack@firenet.gov

 WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE

 Incident Management Team

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

Fire Activity Moderates and Evacuees Return Home

Horton Fire: Friday, July 02, 2021

Location of Origin: 5 miles northeast of Hannagan Meadow

Start Date: June 16, 2021

Size: 12,263 acres    

Cause: Lightning

Percent Contained: 37

Personnel: 226   

Fuels: Heavy dead/down logs 

Resources Assigned: 1 Hand Crew, 2 Engines, 2 Helicopters, 1 Dozer, 1 Masticator, and 1 Water Tender.

Operations: Firefighters will continue to hold containment lines, patrol, mop-up and implement fire suppression repair. The fire has received modest rainfall and cooler temperatures and fire activity has been minimal. The priorities will remain to keep the fire south of Forest Road 26, east of Forest Road 24, and west of Highway 191, while protecting the powerlines and all values at risk.
 

Closures: A Stage III Forest Closure is in effect to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger.

Weather: Today’s forecast is calling for a high probability of showers and thunderstorms with temperatures in the mid to low 70s and light winds.

Values at risk: Firefighters will work to protect and mitigate risks to the Josh Ranch, Beaverhead Lodge, Sprucedale Ranch, Hannagan Meadow, historic Balke Cabin, and Navopache Electric power lines. Important wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species is adjacent to these fires and may be threatened in the future.

Safety: The public is encouraged to follow the Ready, Set, Go! program that educates residents about actions to follow when communities are threatened. Wildfire smoke may impact local communities and smoke-sensitive individuals are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for an interactive fire and smoke map.

Official fire information can be found on these sites:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7547/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Horton-Fire-Information-102543715413662 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireHorton 

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/asnf 

• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077 

• Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go 

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE

Incident Management Team

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

Fire Activity Moderates and Evacuees Return Home

Horton Fire: Thursday, July 01, 2021

Location of Origin: 5 miles northeast of Hannagan Meadow

Start Date: June 16, 2021

Size: 12,263 acres    

Cause: Lightning

Percent Contained: 33

Personnel: 259    

Fuels: Heavy dead/down logs 

Resources Assigned: 4 Hand Crews, 5 Engines, 3 Helicopters, 3 Dozers, 1 Masticator, and 3 Water Tenders

Operations: The Greenlee County Sheriff’s office in coordination with the White Mountain Zone Incident Management Team have determined that the threat of imminent danger posed by the Horton fire has subsided allowing the evacuees of Hannagan Meadow to return under the Ready, Set, Go! protocols. Other private in-holdings and residents near the fire remain in READY status. Yesterday the fire received rainfall and experienced cooler temperatures which significantly moderated the fire’s activity. Firefighters are taking advantage of favorable weather conditions and are securing control lines, mopping up, and looking for opportunities to gain additional containment.    

Closures: A Stage III Forest Closure is in effect to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger.

Weather: Today’s forecast is calling for an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms with temperatures in the low 70s and light winds up to 5 mph.

Values at risk: Firefighters will work to protect and mitigate risks to the Josh Ranch, Beaverhead Lodge, Sprucedale Ranch, Hannagan Meadow, historic Balke Cabin, and Navopache Electric power lines. Important wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species is adjacent to these fires and may be threatened in the future.

Safety: The public is encouraged to follow the Ready, Set, Go! program that educates residents about actions to follow when communities are threatened. Wildfire smoke may impact local communities and smoke-sensitive individuals are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for an interactive fire and smoke map.

Official fire information can be found on these sites:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7547/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Horton-Fire-Information-102543715413662 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireHorton 

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/asnf 

• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077 

• Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go 

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE

Incident Management Team

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

Monsoonal Effects Minimize Horton Fire Activity

Horton Fire: Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Location of Origin: 5 miles northeast of Hannagan Meadow

Start Date: June 16, 2021

Size: 12,263 acres    

Cause: Lightning

Percent Contained: 33

Personnel: 292    

Fuels: Heavy dead/down logs 

Resources Assigned: 7 Hand Crews, 11 Engines, 3 Helicopters, 4 Dozers, 1 Feller Buncher, 4 Masticators, and 6 Water Tenders.

Operations: Monsoonal effects have sharply moderated fire activity with only minimal creeping and smoldering fire behavior observed yesterday. Firefighters were able to take advantage of cooler temps and higher humidities and gained additional containment yesterday. Crews will continue to monitor fire movement in Bear Creek and along critical areas on the southern flanks. Firefighters will patrol and mop-up to strengthen control lines.

Closures: A Stage III Forest Closure is in effect to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger. US 191 is closed 2.75 miles south of Alpine to MM 175, north of Morenci.

Weather: As a monsoonal system moves into the fire area, there is an 80% chance of an increase in showers and thunderstorms for Wednesday and into Thursday. Today’s temperatures are forecast to be in the low 70s with winds up to 7 mph.

Values at risk: Firefighters will work to protect and mitigate risks to the Josh Ranch, Beaverhead Lodge, Sprucedale Ranch, Hannagan Meadow, historic Balke Cabin, and Navopache Electric power lines. Important wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species is adjacent to these fires and may be threatened in the future.

Safety: The public is encouraged to follow the Ready, Set, Go! program that educates residents about actions to follow when communities are threatened. Wildfire smoke may impact local communities and smoke-sensitive individuals are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for an interactive fire and smoke map.

Official fire information can be found on these sites:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7547/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Horton-Fire-Information-102543715413662

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireHorton

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/asnf

• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077

• Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE

Incident Management Team

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

Horton Fire Relieved by Favorable Weather

Horton Fire: Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Location of Origin: 5 miles northeast of Hannagan Meadow

Start Date: June 16, 2021

Size: 12,263 acres    

Cause: Lightning

Percent Contained: 25

Personnel: 265    

Fuels: Heavy dead/down logs 

Resources Assigned: 5 Hand Crews, 11 Engines, 3 Helicopters, 4 Dozers, 1 Feller Buncher, 4 Masticators, and 6 Water Tenders.

Operations: Firefighters took advantage of favorable weather conditions yesterday and were able to achieve additional containment of the Horton fire. Low to moderate fire activity was observed as the fire was mostly creeping and smoldering. Most of the focus today will be on the southern end of the fire as firefighters will patrol and assess areas where the fire is backing and creeping. Burnout operations will be conducted as necessary when weather conditions permit, and aviation resources will be utilized to check fire growth in critical areas.

Closures: A Stage III Forest Closure is in effect to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger. US 191 is closed 2.75 miles south of Alpine to MM 175, north of Morenci.

Weather: Today’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies with showers and occasional thunderstorms throughout the day. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach the mid-60s and light winds up to 8 mph. Thunderstorms may bring lightning, brief heavy rains, and strong wind gusts up to 45 mph.

Values at risk: Firefighters will work to protect and mitigate risks to the Josh Ranch, Beaverhead Lodge, Sprucedale Ranch, Hannagan Meadow, historic Balke Cabin, and Navopache Electric power lines. Important wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species is adjacent to these fires and may be threatened in the future.

Safety: The public is encouraged to follow the Ready, Set, Go! program that educates residents about actions to follow when communities are threatened. Wildfire smoke may impact local communities and smoke-sensitive individuals are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for an interactive fire and smoke map.

Official fire information can be found on these sites: 

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7547/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Horton-Fire-Information-102543715413662 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireHorton 

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/asnf 

• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077 

• Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go 

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE

Incident Management Team

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

Weather Moderates Horton Fire Activity

Horton Fire: Monday, June 28, 2021

Location of Origin: 5 miles northeast of Hannagan Meadow

Start Date: June 16, 2021

Size: 12,180 acres    

Cause: Lightning

Percent Contained: 21

Personnel: 261    

Fuels: Heavy dead/down logs 

Resources Assigned: 5 Hand Crews, 11 Engines, 3 Helicopters, 4 Dozers, 1 Feller Buncher, 4 Masticators, and 5 Water Tenders.

Operations: Fire activity was low to moderate yesterday as successful burnout operations continued along the northern flanks. Smaller burnout operations along the west and south sides have also been effective at bringing several segments of the perimeter down to indirect lines. The primary objective is to keep the fire south of FR 26, west of Highway 191 and east of FR 24. Firefighters will continue to look for opportunities to gain additional containment and will work to protect the values at risk.

Closures: A Stage III Forest Closure is in effect to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger. US 191 is closed 2.75 miles south of Alpine to MM 175, north of Morenci.

Weather: More moisture is expected today with daytime temperatures in the low 70s. Showers and thunderstorms are likely this afternoon with moderate to heavy rains possible and light winds up to 9mph.

Values at risk: Firefighters will work to protect and mitigate risks to the Josh Ranch, Beaverhead Lodge, Sprucedale Ranch, Hannagan Meadow, historic Balke Cabin, and Navopache Electric power lines. Important wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species is adjacent to these fires and may be threatened in the future.

Safety: The public is encouraged to follow the Ready, Set, Go! program that educates residents about actions to follow when communities are threatened. Wildfire smoke may impact local communities and smoke-sensitive individuals are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for an interactive fire and smoke map.

Official fire information can be found on these sites:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7547/ 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Horton-Fire-Information-102543715413662 

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireHorton 

• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/asnf 

• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077 

• Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go