June 13, 2021 4 p.m. 

June 12, 2021 6:30 p.m. 

Straight Creek Fire 80 percent contained

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. – Firefighters reached 80 percent containment on the 8-acre Straight Creek Fire today, with full containment expected tomorrow. 

Fifty firefighters made steady progress strengthening containment lines and mopping up through the significant amount of dead and down trees in the burn area. 

No aircraft were used in today’s operations. The Two Hot Shot crews will remain on the fire through tomorrow. Local crews will continue to monitor the Straight Creek Fire following full containment.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Forest Service has issued a closure for the area southeast of the fire for firefighter and public safety. The closure includes Straight Creek Trail and Tenderfoot trail system.

The latest information on the Straight Creek Fire, including area closures, is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7525/. The public fire information line is 970 468-5400. 

For the latest updates about I-70, visit www.cotrip.org  

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The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit (UCR) includes Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service firefighting resources that cover 5.8 million acres along the Interstate 70, Colorado River and Roaring Fork River corridors from the Continental Divide to the Utah state line. The UCR includes the White River National Forest and the BLM’s Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction field offices. The UCR cooperates with other federal and state agencies, local communities, and fire departments on a wide range of activities including fuels treatments, fire prevention, and suppression.

June 11, 2021 6 p.m.

Firefighters on the ground and aerial resources keep Straight Creek Fire from growing

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. – Firefighters today successfully kept the Straight Creek Fire from growing and brought containment to 30 percent.

Aerial mapping shows the burned area is 8 acres. As the afternoon winds picked up, firefighters were able to use two heavy helicopters and a light helicopter to douse areas as fire activity increased. Two Hot Shot crews are building containment line around the fire. About 60 firefighters are working the fire.

“This fire had the potential to significantly grow today,” said Dillon District Ranger Adam Bianchi. “The aggressive responsive coordinated among federal, state and local resources kept it small.”

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Forest Service has issued a closure for the area northeast of the fire for firefighter and public safety. The closure includes Straight Creek Trail and Tenderfoot trail system.

The latest information on the Straight Creek Fire, including area closures, is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7525/. The public fire information line is 970 468-5400. 

“We are early in the fire season, and conditions will be getting warmer and drier,” Bianchi said. “We really need people to continue to be diligent.”

In addition to being careful with campfires where they are allowed and ensuring fires are completely out before leaving camp, people need to be sure equipment like chainsaws have spark arresters, and avoid parking in dry grass or allowing trailer chains to drag. 

For the latest updates about I-70, visit www.cotrip.org.  

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The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit (UCR) includes Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service firefighting resources that cover 5.8 million acres along the Interstate 70, Colorado River and Roaring Fork River corridors from the Continental Divide to the Utah state line. The UCR includes the White River National Forest and the BLM’s Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction field offices. The UCR cooperates with other federal and state agencies, local communities, and fire departments on a wide range of activities including fuels treatments, fire prevention, and suppression.

Map of closure area Image of Forest Closure Order

Order# WRNF-2021-1O Fire Closure

FOREST ORDER

                                                                           USDA FOREST SERVICE WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST

Dillon Ranger District FIRE CLOSURE

Straight Creek Fire Area

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands within the Straight Creek Fire Area on the White River National Forest, Summit County, State of Colorado (the "Restricted Area") and on all roads and trails located within the Restricted Area along with all Forest System Roads and Trails east and north of the Town of Dillon and south of Interstate 70 (the "Restricted Roads and Trails").The Restricted Area and the Restricted Roads and Trails are shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A.

The purposes of this Order are to: (1) provide for public safety; and (2) prevent interference with firefighting operations.

PROHIBITIONS:

1)    Going into or being upon the Restricted Area. 36 C.F.R. § § 261.52(e).

2)     Being on the Restricted Roads. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

3)     Being on the Restricted Trails. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1)     Any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force, in the performance of an official duty;

2)    Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

This Order becomes effective at 12:01 am on June 11th, 2021 and remains in effect until rescinded.  Done at Glenwood Springs, CO, this 11th day of June, 2021.

   Scott Fitzwilliams
Forest Supervisor 
White River National Forest 

A violation of the prohibitions in this Order is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for a legal entity other than an individual, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. (16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559 and 3571).

Order# WRNF-2021-10 Fire Closure

More resources arriving to Straight Creek Fire

Public Information: (928) 362-8820 (until 6/27)
Email: 2021.pinnacle@firenet.gov (until 6/27)     
Size:  Approximately 34,417 acres     
Containment:  60%           
Cause:  Under Investigation 
Location:  Santa Teresa Mountains, Graham County, Arizona      
Start Date: June 10, 2021 
Incident Commander:  Dave Gesser                                              
Total Personnel:  246 

Command Changes for Pinnacle Fire
Ko’ Ba Nagoni I (Fire Update) 
 
This will be the final update for the Pinnacle Fire from Type 2 Incident Management Team 3.  A Type 3 incident commander will assume command of the Pinnacle Fire Sunday, June 27th.  Yesterday firefighters performed suppression repair and monitored fire lines for remaining heat near the perimeter. Minimal fire activity was observed. Firefighters will continue suppression repair and monitoring until sufficient rain occurs over the entire fire footprint.   

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been ordered and will begin surveying the fire footprint Monday, June 28th to evaluate the severity of the burn.    

Incident Commander Dave Gesser extends this Incident Management Team’s sincere appreciation to the communities of Safford, Thatcher, Klondyke, and the entire Gila Valley for allowing this team to serve these communities during these challenging times. It has been our pleasure to work with you. 

Smoke: The Pinnacle Fire may continue to produce smoke. For current air quality information go to: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EastCentralArizona and https://fire.airnow.gov                                                       

Evacuations: There are no remaining evacuations in effect for the Pinnacle Fire. For “Ready, Set, Go” information follow this link: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/ and https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.   

Closures: The existing FAA designated Temporary Flight Restriction for the fire area remains in place. The Coronado National Forest, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Arizona State Lands have general closure orders for their lands in effect. However, the Bureau of Land Management has rescinded its Pinnacle Fire area closure order and is making permits available for Aravaipa Canyon, effective June 28th. For specific closure information visit the following agency links:  
https://www.facebook.com/CoronadoNF and https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7523/ 
and https://land.az.gov 

Restrictions: Throughout southern Arizona the multiple agencies and jurisdictions are in varying levels of restrictions. For specific information for each, visit the link https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions. 

Effective 8 a.m. Sunday June 27th the fire information phone numbers have changed. For The Bureau of Land Management please call (520) 345-2825. For the Coronado National Forest, please call (520) 388-8484. 

Nawhi ni nlt eego anlsih (Take care of our land)

On Sunday, June 27 at 7 a.m., the Safford Field Office will rescind the closures of the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness and North Santa Teresa Wilderness associated with the Pinnacle Fire. Permits to enter the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness for Sunday, June 27 were previously cancelled and refunds were issued. Beginning Monday, June 28, permits will be available again through recreation.gov. 
For more information visit www.blm.gov/arizona/fire-restrictions 

On Sunday, June 27 at 7 a.m., the Safford Field Office will rescind the closures of the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness and North Santa Teresa Wilderness associated with the Pinnacle Fire.
Permits to enter the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness for Sunday, June 27 were previously cancelled and refunds were issued. Beginning Monday, June 28, permits will be available again through recreation.gov.
See the full closure order below:
Effective June 27, 2021
EMERGENY FIRE CLOSURE RESCINDEDBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTSAFFORD FIELD OFFICE
Under the authority of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et. Seq.) and pursuant to 43 CFR 8351.2 1 or 43 CFR 9212.2 (a) this notice rescinds the Emergency Fire Closure that was placed in effect on June 16, 2021, for lands within the Pinnacle Fire and included the following areas:
• North Santa Teresa Wilderness and surrounding BLM lands,• 4 Mile Campground and surrounding areas• BLM parcels north of Klondyke between North Santa Teresa Wilderness and Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness,• Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness and surrounding BLM lands,• Copper Creek and BLM lands within the Copper Creek area.
Effective on June 27th at 7:00 a.m., the Emergency Fire Closure for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands administered by the Safford Field Office noted above will be rescinded.
Signed this 23rd day of June 2020 in Safford, AZ
/s/ Roberta LopezActing Safford Field Manager
View fire restrictions and closure information at www.blm.gov/arizona/fire-restrictions

Public Information: (928) 362-8820
Email: 2021.pinnacle@firenet.gov

Size:  Approximately 34,417 acres
Containment:  60% 
Cause:  Under Investigation
Location:  Santa Teresa Mountains, Graham County, Arizona
Start Date: June 10, 2021
Incident Commander:  Dave Gesser 
Total Personnel:  385

Ko’ Ba Nagoni I (Fire Update)
 
Announcement: The Graham County Sheriff’s Office has rescinded the Pinnacle Fire evacuation order for the Black Rock area effective June 24th at 6 p.m.
   
Thursday, crews working the Pinnacle Fire continued to perform mop-up and suppression repair. Little smoke was encountered as work continued. No water drops were conducted as the footprint of the Pinnacle Fire cooled.
 
A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been ordered and will begin surveying the fire footprint to evaluate the severity of the burn. Once the plan is complete, the BAER team will repair severely burned portions of the fire to minimize potential flooding and erosion.

Currently assigned resources include 1 hand crew, 3 helicopters, 15 engines, 6 water tenders, and 2 dozers. Resources are being released from the Pinnacle Fire as operational needs are reduced. Released resources will travel home, rest, resupply, and prepare for their next assignment in what is unfolding as a long and severe fire season in the western United States.
 
Smoke: The Pinnacle Fire and other fires are producing smoke. For current air quality information go to: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EastCentralArizona  and  https://fire.airnow.gov

Evacuations: There are no remaining evacuations in effect for the Pinnacle Fire. For “Ready, Set, Go” information follow this link: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/ and  https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.
  
Closures: The existing FAA designated Temporary Flight Restriction for the fire area remains in place. The Coronado National Forest, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, and Arizona State Lands have closure orders in effect. For specific closure information visit the following agency links:  https://land.az.gov  and  https://Coronadonationalforest/Facebook.com  and  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7523/
 
Restrictions: Throughout southern Arizona the multiple agencies and jurisdictions are in varying levels of restrictions. For specific information for each, visit the link https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions.
 
For further information, please visit the following links:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov 
Facebook: Pinnacle Fire Facebook
Twitter: @PinnacleInfo21

Nawhi ni nlt eego anlsih (Take care of our Land)