WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE
Incident Management Team

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

White Mountain Zone Team Assumes Command of Horton Complex

Horton Complex: Friday, June 18, 2021

Location of Origin: 5 miles northeast of Hannagan Meadow

Start Date: June 15, 2021

Size: 491 combined acres

Cause: Lightning

Percent Contained: 0

Personnel: 100

Fuels: Heavy dead and down logs

Resources Assigned: 5 Engines, 2 Dozers, 2 Hand Crews, and 1 Water Tender. Additional firefighting resources will be ordered as needed.

The Horton Complex consists of four separate wildfires that are burning in proximity and all located within the Wallow Fire scar. The Horton Complex fire transitioned from a Type-4 organization to a Type-3 complexity fire when the White Mountain Zone Incident Management Team assumed command at 6:00 a.m. today.  

Operations: Low to moderate fire behavior is occurring as the fire moves through the dead and down fuels. Firefighters will utilize indirect methods to fully suppress the fire and will look for opportunities to construct fire lines where it safe to do so. Strategies will be deployed to protect all values at risk.

Closures: A pending closure around the fire’s perimeter will be put into place to ensure the safety for firefighters and the public. The closure will not impact any of the primary roads or affect access to recreation areas.

Weather: Today’s forecast is calling for sunny skies in the morning then becoming mostly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to reach 86 degrees with light winds up to 10mph.

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 near the fire. Important wildlife habitat is in close proximity to these fires and may be threatened in the future.

Safety: Smoke may impact the communities of Alpine, Nutrioso, Springerville and Eagar. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

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/news/asnf/news-events

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

Acres: 40,855 acres                                                                               

Percent Containment: 76%        

Start Date: June 16, 2021

Cause: Lightning
Origin Location: Approximately 12 miles west of Pine and Strawberry, Arizona
Fuels: Pinyon Juniper, Chaparral, Brush, Grass, Cactus

Personnel Assigned: 319

Final Update

Today is the last day on the Backbone Fire for Southwest Area Incident Command Team #1. On Thursday morning, management of the fire will be turned back to the local units, a smaller organization that will continue with suppression repair work. There is a 75% chance of rain today. Firefighters will be working the fire’s edge looking for any remaining hot spots and transporting excess supplies and equipment from containment lines to their fire camp. Crews are also finishing chipping debris along the corridor of State Route 260. Firefighters will continue suppression repair work across the fire area.

Public Land Closures: Because of the extreme fire danger, many of the National Forests in Arizona have been closed to protect public health and safety. Please check the website for your specific National Forest for closure notifications.

Road Closures: State Route 260 has reopened between Camp Verde and State Route 87. Motorists are advised to visit https://www.az511.com for current road closures.

Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) is working closely with the agencies responding to wildfires across the state. While there has been some damage to APS infrastructure due to wildfire activity, at this time there are no customers without power because of the fires and disruption in service is not currently anticipated. APS is monitoring fire progress and will coordinate with emergency response agencies in the event there is a need to take power lines out of service to protect firefighters and/or if the fire or smoke impacts electrical infrastructure. Given the unpredictability of fires and weather, APS encourages customers to visit aps.com/outagecenter for tips on how to prepare for an outage, to sign up for outage alerts and to view the APS outage map.

Weather: Temperatures today will range from 84 to 94 degrees and humidity will be higher, ranging from 26 to 36%. Winds this morning will be from the southeast with gusts of 25 mph possible, switching to the southwest in the afternoon.

Evacuations: The communities of Hunt Ranch, Strawberry, and Pine are at “Ready.” Residents and visitors should contact their county or visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for information regarding evacuation status.   

No Drone Zone: A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the Backbone Fire.

Fire Danger Remains Extreme:  Please use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/.

Backbone Fire Information

• Phone: 928-362-4088                                                           

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BackboneFireInfo/

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7545/      

Office of Sheriff of Gila County .J. Adam Shepherd 

Press Release June 29, 2021  

Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd would likie to release the following information regarding tbe area of Pine, Strawberry and Hunt Ranch due to the Backbone Fire.

The Gila County Sherifr s Office will be moving the areas of Pine, Strawberry and Hunt Ranch from SET to READY status af 10 am today. This decision was reachecl with infomation from the Southwest Team l in coordination with the Sheriffs Office. 

Sheriff Shepherd would like to thank all residents who live in the affected areas for tbeir cooperntion and understaunding during this event.  We understand how hard it is to leave your home for an extended period while not knowing what did or could happen. Your cooperation and patience are very appreciated and we are glad to have you back home. 

Sheriff Shepherd would like to than the Payson Police Departlnent, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona Department of Transportation Payson Posse, Tonto Rim Search and Rescue, Coconino County Sheriff's Office, Coconino County Search and Rescue and the Pine/Strawberry Fire Department Their cooperative assistance in the evacuation, patrol, and reentry of the citizens of Pine, Strawberry and Hunt ranch area was invaluable.  
We wou]d also like to extend a special thank you to Uncle Tom's/Pine Ice for your support for all the first responders during the evacuation.
 

 https://twitter.com/ArizonaDOT/status/1409922538889572353
 

 *REOPENING UPDATE, SR 260* SR 260 has reopened in both directions after a lengthy fire closure between east of Camp Verde (MP 227) and SR 87 (MP 251). Check your route before you head out with the AZ 511 and ADOT Alerts apps: http://bit.ly/2K1RT5n #aztraffic #azfire

Acres: 40,855 acres                                                                               

Percent Containment: 64%        

Start Date: June 16, 2021

Cause: Lightning
Origin Location: Approximately 12 miles west of Pine and Strawberry, Arizona
 Fuels: Pinyon Juniper, Chaparral, Brush, Grass, Cactus

Personnel Assigned: 504

Increasing chance of rain today 

There is a 50% chance of rain today and the probability increases over the next three days.  Firefighters will be working the fire’s edge looking for any remaining hot spots and transporting equipment from containment lines to their fire camp. Crews are also finishing chipping debris along the corridor of State Route 260.  Firefighters will continue suppression repair work across the fire area. 

Public Land Closures: Because of the extreme fire danger, many of the National Forests in Arizona have been closed to protect public health and safety. Please check the website for your specific National Forest for closure notifications.

Road Closures: State Route 260 is closed between Camp Verde and State Route 87. Motorists are advised to visit https://www.az511.com for current road closures.

Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) is working closely with the agencies responding to wildfires across the state. While there has been some damage to APS infrastructure due to wildfire activity, at this time there are no customers without power because of the fires and disruption in service is not currently anticipated. APS is monitoring fire progress and will coordinate with emergency response agencies in the event there is a need to take power lines out of service to protect firefighters and/or if the fire or smoke impacts electrical infrastructure. Given the unpredictability of fires and weather, APS encourages customers to visit aps.com/outagecenter for tips on how to prepare for an outage, to sign up for outage alerts and to view the APS outage map.

Weather: Temperatures today will range from 88 to 98 degrees and humidity will be higher, ranging from 18 to 28%. Winds will continue to be from the east with gusts of 20 mph possible.

Evacuations: The communities of Hunt Ranch, Strawberry, and Pine are at “Set.” Residents and visitors should contact their county or visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for information regarding evacuation status.   

No Drone Zone: A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the Backbone Fire.

Fire Danger Remains Extreme:  Please use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/.

Backbone Fire Information

• Phone: 928-362-4088                                                           

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BackboneFireInfo/

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7545/      

Acres: 40,855 acres                                                                                   
Percent Containment: 43%         
Start Date: June 16, 2021
Cause: Lightning                           
Origin Location: Approximately 12 miles west of Pine and Strawberry, Arizona
Fuels: Pinyon Juniper, Chaparral, Brush, Grass, Cactus
Personnel Assigned: 632

Increased containment on Backbone Fire

Today begins a trend towards cooler and wetter conditions, which will moderate fire behavior and aid suppression efforts.  Fire crews will be working the fire’s edge looking for any remaining hot spots.  They are being supported by drones with infrared and aircraft conducting bucket drops as needed.  Crews are also finishing chipping debris along the corridor of State Routes 260 and 87.  Firefighters will continue suppression repair work across the fire area.

 Below is a copy of the transcript from the June 26, 2021 public meeting

GILA COUNTY SHERRIF'S OFFICE PRESS RELEASE

Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd would like to release the following information regarding the evacuated areas of Strawberry and Hunt Ranch due to the Backbone Fire. 

The Gila County Shcritrs Office will be ,noving the areas of Strawberry and Hunt Ranch back to a SET status allowing residents lo return home at 4 pm today. Those residents in Pine, Strawberry and Hunt Ranch will remain in SET status and need to be prepared if there are any significant changes in fire behavior. 

This decision was reached in discussion with Southwest Area Team I due to the efforts of the fire crews in suppression activities on the east side of the Backbone fire. This did not eliminate the danger, but it has been reduced with the moisture received over the last few days.

The Arizona Departme111 of Transpor1ation will be moving the hard closure from mile post 270 on highway 87 been Pine and Strawberry to mile posl 270.5. Fossil Creek Rd and Highway 87. The speed limit from Payson 10 Pine and again, from Pine to Strawberry was reduced to 45 mph. There will still be a significant amount of fire traffic in the area, and you are asked to use caution when traveling on Hwy 87. 

The Sheriff's Oflice would like to ask for your cooperation in an orderly return of the residents to Strawberry, 

Backbone Fire
Acres: 40,826 acres                                                                               

Percent Containment: 35%        

Start Date: June 16, 2021

Cause: Lightning                           

Origin Location: Approximately 12 miles west of Pine and Strawberry, Arizona

Fuels: Pinyon Juniper, Chaparral, Brush, Grass, Cactus

Personnel Assigned: 697

Increased fire danger today

Today will be hot and dry with stronger winds out of the northeast.  Fuels have dried out from the recent rains and increased fire activity is possible with the low humidity and strong winds.  Fire crews are working the fire’s edge looking for any hot spots that remain.  They are being supported by drones with infrared and aircraft will conduct bucket drops as needed.  Crews are also working on chipping debris along the State Route 260 corridor.  On the east side of the fire, crews will be working at removing excess water handling equipment around Strawberry and Pine.  The fire continues to remain on the east side of the Verde River.  

Public Land Closures: Because of the extreme fire danger, many of the National Forests in Arizona have been closed to protect public health and safety. Please check the website for your specific National Forest for closure notifications.

Road Closures: State Route 260 is closed between Camp Verde and State Route 87. State Route 87 is closed at mile post 270 north of Pine to Clints Well. Motorists are advised to visit https://www.az511.com for current road closures.

Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) is working closely with the agencies responding to wildfires across the state. While there has been some impact to APS infrastructure due to the Backbone Fire, there are no customers without power at this time because of fire activity and disruption in service is not currently anticipated. APS is monitoring fire progress and will coordinate with emergency response agencies in the event there is a need to take power lines out of service to protect firefighters and/or if the fire or smoke impacts electrical infrastructure. APS customers can visit aps.com/outagecenter for information on how to be prepared for an outage and to view the APS outage map.

Weather: Temperatures today will range from 96 to 107 degrees and humidity will drop to 8%. Winds will be out of the northeast with gusts of 30 mph possible.

Evacuations: Evacuation orders continue to be in place for the community of Strawberry, while Pine is at “Set.” Residents and visitors should contact their county or visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for information regarding evacuation status.   

No Drone Zone: A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the Backbone Fire.

Fire Danger Remains Extreme:  Please use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/. 

Backbone Fire Information

• Phone: 928-362-4088                                                           

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BackboneFireInfo/

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7545/