Flag Fire Continues to Contain Interior Heat

A new closure order is now in effect as of noon yesterday closing portions BLM Road 7101 and BLM road 7178. For full order information visit Flag fire closure information on Inciweb.

The fire has remained within its footprint for the past two days due to Tuesday’s precipitation and the efforts of firefighters. Wildland fires typically burned in a mosaic pattern, leaving many interior islands of unburned vegetation.  These unburned fuels within the interior of the perimeter have potential to show more active fire behavior with the drying trend moving over the fire area.

Fire crews continue working to make sure the perimeter of the fire is secure. This is being accomplished by strengthening containment lines, by clearing more vegetation, as well as looking for and extinguishing any heat adjacent to the containment line that may challenge the line as the weather becomes hotter and drier. Until these actions are complete, fire managers cannot be sure that the fire will not escape to resume as a threat.

Heavy truck traffic, bulldozers, and other equipment along access roads continue, making access roads difficult and hazardous.

Evacuations:

• GO - Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has ordered evacuations of Hualapai Mountain Park, Lodge, and the Pine Lake Community. 

• SET - Atherton Acres and Pinion Pine communities are currently on SET status for evacuations. Evacuation Orders remain imminent for this area; please start preparing for evacuations.

Mohave County residents are encouraged to learn more about Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for Mohave County Emergency Notifications by visiting: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Closures: Hualapai Mountain Road is currently CLOSED at milepost 10 to everyone except first responders.  Portions of BLM Road 7101 and BLM Road 7178 are CLOSED.

No Drone Zone:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the Flag Fire. Flying a hobbyist drone over a fire puts everyone at risk and hinders firefighting suppression efforts. If you fly, we must ground all aircraft, including large air tankers due to the dangerous conditions drones pose in unauthorized airspace. Always follow FAA rules when flying your aircraft. If caught, your drone could be confiscated by law enforcement and you could face hefty fines.

Can I donate? We continue to receive numerous offers of donations of food, bottled water, cookies, and other items from the Kingman community. While we are deeply moved by the sentiment, we are unable to accept donations. This is partially due to our COVID-19 protocols and our firefighters have everything needed to support operations. We suggest donations be made to the Cornerstone Mission in Kingman, the local food bank, or cash donations to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

FLAG FIRE RELATED CLOSURES

Mohave County Parks - Hualapai Mountain Park Closure: https://parks.mohavecounty.us/

Partial Rescission: Fire Closure Order Number. AZ-CRD-2021-01

PUBLIC LAND CLOSURE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT COLORADO RIVER DISTRICT KINGMAN FIELD OFFICE

Due to decreased fire conditions and activities in the area, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Colorado River District, Kingman Field Office is partially rescinding Fire Closure Order Number: AZ-CRD-2021-01.

The closure area that will remain in place includes: 

(a) BLM Road 7101 (Flag Mine/Ridge Road) from the southern border with Hualapai Mountain Park to the intersection of Antelope Wash Road, accounting for approximately 2 miles of BLM Road 7101.

All other areas affected by the original fire closure order will be open.

This partial rescission of the area closure will be in effect on May 14, 2021 at 0600 for the purpose of protecting the public and shall stay in effect until rescinded. The Colorado River District Fire Management Officer and Kingman Field Manager will make the determination as to when the closure will be rescinded based on public safety. The map of the closure area may be obtained from InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7438/

(1) Persons exempt from the closure and that are allowed in the closed area without written permission include the following:

a. Emergency vehicles, equipment, and personnel.

b. Government employees acting in the performance of their duties.

c. Grazing permittees in the performance of permitted acts.

(2) The closure also applies to special recreation permit holders who are authorized to conduct activities on BLM land.

(3) This closure follows provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701) and 43 CFR 9212.0-6 and 43 CFR 9212.1-4. The penalties of this Fire Prevention Order are provided in 43 CFR 9212.4. Any person who knowingly and willfully violates the regulations at 9212.1 of this title shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 12 months or both.

Flag Fire now thirteen percent contained

Due to more accurate mapping today acreage decreased to 1,279 acres.

Fire crews, aided by yesterday’s precipitation and additional resources, were able to secure portions of the eastern fire line and continue to make progress in the rougher terrain to the north and west perimeters. Crews working directly on the fire perimeter have been cold trailing and extinguishing hot spots. They are also removing hazard trees, increasing fire lines and creating barriers down slope to stop potential roll out of burning materials. These actions will continue through tomorrow.

The recent weather front that provided Tuesday’s moisture is moving out of Arizona and will be replaced by building high pressure, low humidity, and higher temperatures as we progress toward the weekend and early next week. To prepare for forecasted increased fire weather conditions, fire managers are intent on securing this fire’s perimeter.

Fire managers and the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office are closely coordinating to assess when it will be safe for evacuated residents to return to their homes. Heavy truck traffic, bulldozers, and other equipment along access roads continue, making access roads difficult and hazardous. For those reasons, and continued uncertainty with fire activity, the current evacuations remain in effect.

Evacuations:

• GO - Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has ordered evacuations of Hualapai Mountain Park, Lodge, and the Pine Lake Community. Please use Hualapai Mountain Road and be aware of public safety vehicles responding to the area.

• SET - Atherton Acres and Pinion Pine communities are currently on SET status for evacuations. Evacuation Orders remain imminent for this area; please start preparing for evacuations.

Mohave County residents are encouraged to learn more about Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for Mohave County Emergency Notifications by visiting: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Closures: Hualapai Mountain Road is currently CLOSED at milepost 10 to everyone except first responders.

No Drone Zone:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the Flag Fire. Flying a hobbyist drone over a fire puts everyone at risk and hinders firefighting suppression efforts. If you fly, we must ground all aircraft, including the large air tankers due to the dangerous conditions drones pose in unauthorized airspace. Always follow FAA rules when flying your aircraft. If caught, your drone could be confiscated by law enforcement and you could face hefty fines.

Can I donate? We continue to receive numerous offers of donations of food, bottled water, cookies, and other items from the Kingman community. While we are deeply moved by the sentiment, we are unable to accept donations. This is partially due to our COVID-19 protocols and our firefighters have everything needed to support operations. We suggest donations be made to the Cornerstone Mission in Kingman, the local food bank, or cash donations to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

Fire Danger is high. Use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/

Rain and snow fell over the entire fire area. The fire, burning in the Hualapai Mountains southeast of Kingman, diminished in immediate intensity Tuesday but is forecasted to return to dry and hot conditions. Fire managers remain concerned that the fire activity and intensity is likely to return. A great deal of heat remains on the west and north side of the fire. Incident Commander Alan Sinclair reminds everyone that despite the recent moisture, there remains a threat until all lines are secured.

Five crews, working with aircraft resources, were directly working the fire line Tuesday, while others were conducting structure protection actions adjacent to values at risk. These actions involve reinforcing contingency lines adjacent to area neighborhoods and removing dead trees along the north and east perimeter to create defensible space. The Pine Lake powerline has been re-energized to those structures.

Fire managers and the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to assess when it will be safe for evacuated residents to return to their homes.

Evacuations:

• GO - Mohave County Sheriff’s Office has ordered evacuations of Hualapai Mountain Park, Lodge, and the Pine Lake Community. Please use Hualapai Mountain Road and be aware of public safety vehicles responding to the area.

• SET - Atherton Acres and Pinion Pine communities are currently on SET status for evacuations. Evacuation Orders remain imminent for this area; please start preparing for evacuations.

Mohave County residents are encouraged to learn more about Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for Mohave County Emergency Notifications by visiting: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Closures: Hualapai Mountain Road is currently CLOSED at milepost 10 to everyone except first responders.

No Drone Zone:  A temporary flight restriction is in place over the Flag Fire. Flying a hobbyist drone over a fire puts everyone at risk and hinders firefighting suppression efforts. If you fly, we must ground all aircraft, including the large air tankers due to the dangerous conditions drones pose in unauthorized airspace. Always follow FAA rules when flying your aircraft. If caught, your drone could be confiscated by law enforcement and you could face hefty fines.

Can I donate? We continue to receive numerous offers of donations of food, bottled water, cookies, and other items from the Kingman community. While we are deeply moved by the sentiment, we are unable to accept donations. This is partially due to our COVID-19 protocols and our firefighters have everything needed to support operations. We suggest donations be made to the Cornerstone Mission in Kingman, the local food bank, or cash donations to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

Fire Danger is high. Use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/

Flag Fire Information

• Phone: (602) 345-0246

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7438/

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

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BLMAZFire #FlagFire #AZFire

 Flag Fire Update – April 27, 2021

 Acres: 1,400 acres (did not fly due to limited visibility)                Percent Containment: 0%

Per the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 43 CFR 9212.1(f), it is illegal to resist or interfere with the efforts of firefighter(s) to extinguish a fire. Doing so can result in a significant fine and/or a mandatory court appearance. So, be smart and just don't fly your drone anywhere near a wildfire. No amount of video or photos are worth the consequences.


Arizona has a law addressing drones/UAS, SB1449:-UAS cannot interfere with police, firefighters, or manned aircraft.-Flying a drone in “dangerous proximity” to a person/property is defined as Disorderly Conduct 
SB1499 - AMENDING SECTION 13-2904, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES; AMENDING TITLE 13,CHAPTER 37, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, BY ADDING SECTION 13-3729; RELATING TOUNMANNED AIRCRAFT. 


More information can be found at:  

NIFC's No Drone Zone -  https://www.nifc.gov/drones/
Know Before You Fly - https://knowbeforeyoufly.org/home

Flag Fire Update – April 26, 2021

Wind-driven Flag Fire burning in the Hualapai Mountains south of Kingman, Arizona 

Community of Pine Lake, Hualapai Mountain Lodge evacuated – Pinion Pine and Atherton Acres on “SET” alert

KINGMAN, Ariz. [April 25, 2021] – The Flag Fire was reported on Sunday, April 25, 2021, around 2:00 p.m. The fire originated between the Flag Mine and Wild Cow Campground in the Hualapai Mountains, approximately 11 miles south/southeast of Kingman. 

Evacuations: 

• GO - Mohave County Sheriff’s office is conducting evacuations of Hualapai Mountain Park, Lodge, and the Pine Lake Community. Please use Hualapai Mountain Rd. and be aware of public safety vehicles responding to the area.
• SET - Atherton Acres and Pinion Pine communities are currently on SET status for evacuations. Evacuation Orders are Imminent for this area, please start preparing for evacuations.

Mohave County residents are encouraged to learn more about Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for Mohave County Emergency Notifications by visiting: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Closures: Hualapai Mountain Road is currently CLOSED at milepost 10 to everyone except evacuees and first responders.

Shelter: The American Red Cross is establishing a shelter for those affected by the evacuation orders at Palo Christi School (500 Maple Street in Kingman).

Fire Danger is high. Use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/

Flag Fire Information can be found on:

• Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7438/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMArizona/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BLMAZFire #FlagFire #AZFire

BLM

Atherton Acres and Pinion Pine communities are currently on SET status for evacuations. Evacuation Orders are Imminent for this area, please start preparing for evacuations.


Mohave County Sheriff Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MohaveCountySheriffsOffice

Sign up for Mohave County Code Red Emergency Notifications:  https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF06DA57F62C

For more information on Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program, visit: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go   

 EVACUATION ORDERS FOR HUALAPAI MOUNTAIN PARK AND PINE LAKE COMMUNITY
A fire in the Hualapai Mountains has prompted an immediate evacuation of the Hualapai Mountain Park, Lodge, and the Pine Lake Community. Please use Hualapai Mountain Rd. and be aware of public safety vehicles responding to the area.
Hualapai Mountain Rd. is currently CLOSED at MP 10 to everyone except evacuees and first responders.

Mohave County Sheriff Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MohaveCountySheriffsOffice

Sign up for Mohave County Code Red Emergency Notifications:  https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF06DA57F62C

For more information on Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program, visit: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go