Acres: 38,328 acres
Percent Containment: 1%
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: 590

Community Meeting Planned for Camp Verde on Wednesday Evening
Firefighters continue to work to contain the Backbone wildfire that was started last week by lightning. The Backbone Fire is one of dozens of wildfires burning in hot, dry conditions across Arizona. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority as only 1 percent of the fire is contained. There will be a community meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Philip England Performing Art center in Camp Verde, AZ.
 
On the west side Fire crews continue to monitor the fire as it nears the east side of the Verde River. Contingency lines near Beasley Flat and Camp Verde are being improved. Preparation efforts also continue along State Route 260 and near structures and other infrastructure for possible firing operations. Weather conditions overnight did not allow for additional firing operations; however, Fire personnel continued to hold, patrol, and secure the east side of the fire, improving previous night’s operations. Crews and aircraft continue to work the southeast area of the fire in areas including Hardscrabble Canyon and Deadman Mesa to prevent fire from establishing in the drainage.
 
Public Land Closures: An emergency area fire closure has been issued to protect public health and safety from fire activities. All Tonto, Coconino, and Prescott National Forest lands, roads, and trails in the area of the Backbone Fire are closed. Full details of area and road closures are available on the Backbone Fire Inciweb page at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7545/
 
Road Closures: State Route 260 is closed between Camp Verde and state Route 87. State Route 87 is closed north of Payson to Clint’s Well. Motorists are advised to visit https://www.az511.com for current road closures before traveling.
 
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: Gusty and erratic winds from outflow will be possible, but the chance of any measurable rain remains low.
 
Evacuations: Evacuation orders were issued for the communities of Pine and Strawberry. 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. National Forest closures are in effect on the Kaibab and Coconino 6/23/21, Apache-Sitgreaves 6/24/21, Prescott 6/25/21. Tonto National Forest will implement a Forest Closure beginning Friday, June 25. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/

 Below is a copy of the transcript from the June 21, 2021 public meeting.

Acres: 37,296 acres                                                                                   

Yavapai County Sheriff's Office

Based on updated information received from fire incident command, the decision was made to place the area of Verde Lakes and Beasley Flats in “Ready” status. There is currently no immediate threat to these areas or the incorporated town of Camp Verde.

Ready status means that 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.

YCSO has assigned a liaison to the Backbone fire incident command and should the need arise to move to a “set” or “go” status notifications will be sent out via the Code Red system and on our Facebook page.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., June 21, 2021 — Due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are sparse, the entirety of Coconino National Forest will close for public safety, beginning Wednesday (June 23) at 8 a.m. A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of Coconino National Forest at any time. Only those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing utility support where necessary, and firefighters performing their duties. Forest Service personnel will attempt to reach as many people as possible to begin vacating campsites and informing individuals who are camping in the forest currently. Campers and visitors to the national forest should vacate their campsites before the closure begins, and the public should cancel any plans for visiting the Coconino National Forest for the next several weeks. Though parts of the national forest may receive rain from sporadic storms over the next couple of weeks, this closure will not be rescinded until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the risk of wildfire, and hot, dry weather conditions are no longer forecast to continue. In short, this closure will continue until conditions are such that the closure can be lifted. Work on thinning and other forest and watershed restoration projects will cease. Partner agencies, organizations, concessionaires, outfitters, permit holders, and contractors, are all prohibited from entering the national forest. Violating closures and fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.

Forest Specific Public Information:  928-527-3600
Media/Press Desk: 928-224-8306 

ORDER NO: 03-04-21-18
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST STAGE III FOREST CLOSURE PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands as described in this Order (the “Restricted Area”) and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Coconino National Forest, Coconino and Yavapai Counties. 1. Going into or being upon the Restricted Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e)

EXEMPTIONS Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from the provisions in this Order: 1. Persons with a written Forest Service permit specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order. 2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of official duty. 3. Residents using roads in the Restricted Area to the extent necessary to access their private property.

RESTRICTED AREA All National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the boundary of the Coconino National Forest, as depicted on Exhibit A. PURPOSE This Order is necessary to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire danger.

IMPLEMENTATION 1. This Order will be in effect at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, and shall remain in effect until September 1, 2021, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. 2. A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of the Order map for the Coconino NF, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coconino/alerts-notices. 3. Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. § 3581(b)(7)). 4. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Coconino National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Flagstaff, Arizona, telephone number (928) 527-3600, the Flagstaff Ranger District located in Flagstaff, Arizona, telephone number (928) 526-0866, the Mogollon Rim Ranger District located in Happy Jack, Arizona, telephone number (928) 477-2255, and at the Red Rock Ranger District located in Sedona, Arizona, telephone number (928) 203-2900. 5. This Order supersedes all orders covering the same acts prohibited by this order, but all Stage II restrictions under Order No. 03-04-21-14 remain in effect. Done at Flagstaff, Arizona this 21st day of June, 2021.

Acres: 37,296 acres                                                                                   

 Acres: 32,757 acres                                                                                   

Ready, Set Go! is a nationwide program adopted by the 15 Arizona Sheriffs that educates residents about proactive measures to take before an emergency and actions to follow when communities are threatened. Please familiarize yourself with the Ready, Set, Go program: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go   

Code RED and Everbridge: With the threat to property within the area of the Backbone Fire, it is important to utilize multiple ways of staying informed. Many Arizona counties and tribes have a system in place designed to quickly notify an affected area of an emergency by sending a voice or text message to you.   
 
Yavapai County: The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office now utilizes CodeRED® as its Emergency Notification System. With this service, they can send messages to residents and businesses within minutes with specific information when an emergency or time-sensitive issue arises. Sign up here:

June 21, 2021, the Gila County Sheriff’s Department announced that as a result of fire activity and for the safety of fire personnel the following road closure will go into effect at 5:00 pm this evening.

The road closure at Hwy 87 and Houston Mesa Road will be a hard closure and there will be no access for any reason to residences in the Pine, Strawberry community. There is no estimated time when the Highway will reopen. Contact the Gila County Sheriff's Department for more information.