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

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE
Incident Management Team
Ben Plumb – Incident Commander
Public Information Officer: 928-245-1585                              

Bonito Rock Fire Transitions from Type 3 to Type 4 Command Today

Bonito Rock Fire Final Update: Saturday, May 01, 2021

Location of Origin: 15 miles southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona

Start Date: April 19, 2021     

Size: 1,668 Acres      

Cause: Under Investigation   

Percent Contained: 40                                                         

Personnel: 173                     

Fuels: Timber (Litter, Grass, Understory), Brush (2 feet)

Resources Assigned: 2 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 4 Engine, 1 Dozer, 2 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 2 Initial Attack Crews, 1 Type 2 Crew, 1 Water Tender, 1 type 1 Helicopter, 1 type 3 Helicopter and miscellaneous incident management overhead.

Transition: The Bonito Rock Fire started on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation on April 19, 2021. Conditions at the time were very dry and the fire, burning in a remote area and in rugged terrain, quickly grew beyond the capacity of available firefighting resources under the command of a Type 4 organization. On April 23 the White Mountain Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire, led by Incident Commander Ben Plumb. In recent days the fires activity and growth have moderated. Today the fire will transition from the White Mountain Zone Type 3 Team back to a Type 4 fire organization led by Incident Commander Carlton Goseyun.

Operations: Firefighters, under the command of the Type 4 organization, will continue to work to keep the fire within established containment lines and utilize direct and indirect tactics to gain full suppression of the fire.

Weather: Warmer weather is forecast for today with winds up to to 12 mph and a high of 74 degrees.

Closures: The junction of Y70/Y40, R55/R32, and R55/Y20 roads are closed due to fire activity. 

Values at risk: The Bonito Rock fire area includes important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are working to protect commercial timberlands, watersheds, riparian areas, rangelands, heritage sites, and recreation and wilderness areas.

Safety: Smoke may be visible from Whiteriver and along U.S. 60 and 260. 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/7435/

·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/

·         Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/asnf/news-events

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

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE
Incident Management Team
Ben Plumb – Incident Commander
Public Information Officer: 928-245-1585
                             
Warm and Dry Conditions Return To Bonito Rock Fire 
Bonito Rock Fire: Friday, April 30, 2021
 
Location of Origin: 15 miles southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona
Start Date: April 19, 2021
Size: 1,800 Acres
Cause: Under investigation
Percent Contained: 40
Personnel: 209
Fuels: Timber (Litter, Grass, Understory), Brush (2 feet) Resources Assigned: 5 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 4 Engine, 2 Dozers, 2 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 3 Initial Attack Crews, 1 Type 2 Crew, 3 Water Tenders, 1 type 1 Helicopter, 1 type 3 Helicopter and miscellaneous incident management overhead.

Operations: Warmer and drier weather conditions returned to the Bonito Rock fire yesterday, and some interior pockets of unburned fuels where producing smoke but were identified as being well within containment lines. Firefighters will hold and mop up control lines today and will utilize road systems and previous fire scars as control measures and will utilize direct and indirect tactics to gain full suppression of the fire.

Closures: The junction of Y70/Y40, R55/R32, and R55/Y20 roads are closed due to fire activity.  

Weather: Temperatures will warm as a high-pressure system builds in the region on Friday and Saturday. Today’s forecast is calling for mostly sunny skies with winds 8 to 12 mph and a high of 74 degrees.

Values at risk: Fire fighter and public safety are the top priorities for the incident management team. The Bonito Rock fire area includes important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are working to protect commercial timberlands, watersheds, rangelands, heritage sites, and recreation and wilderness areas.

Safety: Smoke may be visible from Whiteriver and along U.S. 60 and 260. 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/7435/   
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/
• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/asnf/news-events
• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077
• National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/fgz/

 WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE  

Incident Management Team 

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander 

Public Information Officer: 928-245-1585 

Winter Weather Provides Brief Relief To Firefighting Efforts 

Bonito Rock Fire: Thursday, April 29, 2021 

Location of Origin: 15 miles southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona 

Start Date: April 19, 2021      

Size: 1,800 Acres 

Cause: Under investigation    

Percent Contained: 40 

Personnel: 209                      

Fuels: Timber (Litter, Grass, Understory), Brush (2 feet)  

Resources Assigned: 5 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 4 Engine, 2 Dozers, 2 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 3 Initial Attack Crews, 1 Type 2 Crew, 3 Water Tenders, 1 type 1 Helicopter, 1 type 3 Helicopter and miscellaneous incident management overhead. 

Operations: The Bonito Rock fire received approximately 3 - 6” of snow yesterday which greatly moderated overall fire activity. Firefighters will focus today on making sure that containment lines are holding strong and pose no threat to control measures. Crews will patrol fire lines, mop up hot spots, and assess opportunities to construct additional containment lines to achieve the full suppression objectives established by fire managers.   

Closures: The junction of Y70/Y40, R55/R32, and R55/Y20 roads are closed due to fire activity.   

Weather: Much warmer and drier weather is forecast in the coming days. Wind gusts today are expected to reach 20 mph with a daytime high of 64 degrees.  

Values at risk: Fire fighter and public safety are the top priorities for the incident management team. The Bonito Rock fire area includes important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are working to protect commercial timberlands, watersheds, rangelands, heritage sites, and recreation and wilderness areas. 

Safety: Smoke may be visible from Whiteriver and along U.S. 60 and 260. 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/7435/  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/ 
• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/asnf/news-events 
• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077
• National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/fgz/ 

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE

Incident Management Team

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

Public Information Officer: 928-245-1585

Firefighters Take Advantage of Weather Conditions

Bonito Rock Fire: Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Location of Origin: 15 miles southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona

Start Date: April 19, 2021

Size: 1,800 Acres

Cause: Under investigation

Percent Contained: 25

Personnel: 209

Fuels: Timber (Litter, Grass, Understory), Brush (2 feet)

Resources Assigned: 5 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 4 Engine, 2 Dozers, 2 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 3 Initial Attack Crews, 1 Type 2 Crew, 3 Water Tenders, 2 type 1 Helicopters, and miscellaneous incident management overhead.

Operations: Firefighters took advantage of the favorable weather conditions yesterday and were able to further secure fire lines by mopping up and extinguishing any hot spots. Crews were also able to deploy direct-attack tactics and constructed fire lines into Bonito Creek. Today firefighters will continue to patrol previously constructed control lines, and monitor the critical handline going into Bonito Creek to mitigate any threats to containment.

Closures: The junction of Y70/Y40, R55/R32, and R55/Y20 roads are closed due to fire activity.  

Weather: Wet conditions are expected to continue today with an 80% chance of rain showers and thunderstorms, wind gusts up to 20 mph and a high of 50 degrees.

Values at risk: Fire fighter and public safety are the top priorities for the incident management team. The Bonito Rock fire area includes important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are working to protect commercial timberlands, watersheds, rangelands, heritage sites, and recreation and wilderness areas.

Safety: Smoke may be visible from Whiteriver and along U.S. 60 and 260. 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/7435/

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

• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/asnf/news-events

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

• National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/fgz/

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE

Incident Management Team

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

Public Information Officer: 928-245-1585

Cool and Wet Weather Expected to Bring Relief

Bonito Rock Fire: Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Location of Origin: 15 miles southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona

Start Date: April 19, 2021

Size: 1,800 Acres

Cause: Under investigation

Percent Contained: 20

Personnel: 211

Fuels: Timber (Litter and Understory), Brush (2 feet)

Resources Assigned: 5 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 4 Engine, 2 Dozers, 2 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 3 Initial Attack Crews, 1 Type 2 Crew, 3 Water Tenders, 2 type 1 Helicopters, and other miscellaneous incident management overhead.

Operations: The Bonito Rock fire continued to back into Bonito creek yesterday and progressed to the northeast. High winds prohibited aerial operations until late in the afternoon. Today firefighters will utilize road systems and previous fire scars as control features and will monitor movement into Bonito Creek and along the northeastern flanks. The dramatic change in weather conditions is expected to moderate fire activity due to the forecasted precipitation and drop in temperatures. Tactical decisions will be based on current weather conditions, firefighter safety and full suppression objectives.

Closures: The junction of Y70/Y40, R55/R32, and R55/Y20 roads are closed due to fire activity.  

Weather: The forecast is calling for cool and wet weather with winds up to 15 mph and a daytime high of 45 degrees. An 80% chance of rain with occasional light snow is expected over the fire.

Values at risk: Fire fighter and public safety are the top priorities for the incident management team. The Bonito Rock fire area includes important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are working to protect commercial timberlands, watersheds, rangelands, heritage sites, and recreation and wilderness areas.

Safety: Smoke may be visible from Whiteriver and along U.S. 60 and 260. 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/7435/

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

• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/asnf/news-events

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

• National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/fgz/

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE

Incident Management Team

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

Public Information Officer: 928-245-1585

Red Flag Warning in Effect for Bonito Rock Fire  

Bonito Rock Fire: Monday, April 26, 2021

Location of Origin: 15 miles southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona

Start Date: April 19, 2021

Size: 1,800 Acres

Cause: Under investigation

Percent Contained: 10

Personnel: 194

Fuels: Timber (Litter and Understory), Brush (2 feet)

Resources Assigned: 5 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 4 Engine, 2 Dozers, 2 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 3 Initial Attack Crews, 1 Type 2 Crew, 9 Water Tenders, 2 type 1 Helicopter, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, and other miscellaneous incident management overhead.

Operations: Red Flag conditions tested fire control efforts yesterday as winds blew embers across the fire lines and caused a few small spot fires that were rapidly mitigated. Despite strong gusty winds and dry conditions, the size of the fire did not increase. Critical pieces of fire line were completed, and prior burnout operations have improved control measures. Today, firefighters will monitor the fires movement into Bonito Creek and develop a plan for control lines there. Crews will also patrol previous burnout operations while monitoring fire movement along the 70F road.

Alerts: A Red Flag Warning is in effect today from 10 am to 8 pm and is due to critical fire weather conditions that are either occurring or are imminent. A combination of strong winds and low relative humidities can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Closures: The junction of Y70/Y40, R55/R32, and R55/Y20 roads are closed due to fire activity.  

Weather: An approaching cold front will bring gusty winds up to 55 mph and dry conditions through this afternoon with a high of 60 degrees.

Values at risk: Fire fighter and public safety are the top priorities for the incident management team. The Bonito Rock fire area includes important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are working to protect commercial timberlands, watersheds, rangelands, heritage sites, and recreation and wilderness areas.

Safety: Smoke may be visible from Whiteriver and along U.S. 60 and 260. 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/7435/

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

• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/asnf/news-events

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

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE

Incident Management Team

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7435/  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/ 
• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/asnf/news-events 
• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077 
• Red Flag Warning: https://www.weather.gov/fgz/

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE 
Incident Management Team    

Ben Plumb – Incident Commander 

Public Information Officer: 928-245-1585 

Weather Moderates Activity on Bonito Rock Fire 

Saturday, April 24, 2021 

Location of Origin: 15 miles southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona 

Start Date: April 19, 2021      

Size: 1,500 Acres 

Cause: Under investigation    

Percent Contained: 0 

Personnel: 172                      

Fuels: Timber (Litter and Understory), Brush (2 feet)  

Resources Assigned: 3 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 4 Engine, 2 Dozers, 2 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 3 Initial Attack Crews, 1 Type 2 Crew, 6 Water Tenders, 1 type 1 Helicopter, 1      Type 3 Helicopter, and other miscellaneous incident management overhead. 

Operations: A storm system moved over the fire area yesterday which produced very light snow flurries and rain that moderated the fires activity throughout the day. The effects of the moisture will be short-term. Today, the fire is expected be driven by winds that will move it towards Bonito creek and to the northeast. Firefighting crews will continue to look for opportunities to bring control lines down to Bonito Creek and tie it into the fire scar from the Lofer fire in 2020.  

Closures: The junction of Y70/Y40, R55/R32, and R55/Y20 roads are closed due to fire activity.   

Weather: Strong southwest winds and dry conditions are forecast today, with wind gusts up to 25 mph and a high of 68 degrees. 

Values at risk: Fire fighter and public safety are the highest priorities for the incident management team. The Bonito Rock fire area includes important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are working to protect commercial timberlands, watersheds, riparian areas, rangelands, heritagesites, and recreation and wilderness areas. 

Safety: Smoke may be visible from Whiteriver and along U.S. 60 and 260. 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/7435/  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/ 
• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/asnf/news-events 
• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077

WHITE MOUNTAIN ZONE
Incident Management Team
Ben Plumb – Incident Commander

Public Information Officer: 928-245-1585

White Mountain Zone Team Assumes Command of Bonito Rock Fire 

Friday, April 23, 2021 

Location of Origin: 15 miles southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona 
Start Date: April 19, 2021 
Size: 1,300 Acres 
Cause: Under investigation    
Percent Contained: 0 
Personnel: 130                      
Fuels: Timber (Litter and Understory), Brush (2 feet)  
Resources Assigned: 3 Type 6 Engine, 1 Type 4 Engine, 2 Dozers, 2 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 2 Initial Attack Crews, 1 Type 2 Crew, 2 Water Tenders, 1 type 1 Helicopter, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, and other miscellaneous incident management overhead. 

The Bonito Rock fire transitioned from a Type-4 organization to a Type-3 complexity fire when the White Mountain Zone Incident Management Team assumed command at 6:00a.m. today. 

Operations: The Bonito Rock fire is burning on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in a remote location and in very rugged terrain. Fire crews have completed handlines along portions of the southwest flanks and will continue to scout for opportunities to construct additional containment lines to secure more of the fire’s edges.  

Closures: The junction of Y70/Y40, R55/R32, and R55/Y20 roads are closed due to fire activity.   

Weather: Today’s forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow showers in the morning and possible rain showers later in the day. Light winds are expected to be 15 mph with gusts up to 24 mph, and a high of 58 degrees. 

Values at risk: Fire fighter and public safety are the highest priorities for the incident management team. The Bonito Rock fire area includes important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are working to protect commercial timberlands, watersheds, riparian areas, rangelands, heritage sites, and recreation and wilderness areas. 

Safety: Smoke may be visible from Whiteriver and along U.S. 60 and 260. 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/7435/  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/ 
• Apache-Sitgreaves website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/asnf/news-events 
• ADEQ Air QualityInformation: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077