FINAL UPDATE: Cold Front Aids in Horse Fire Suppression

October 26, 2020 
 
New Fire Information Number 928-925-1111 

Location: 7 Miles Northwest of Crown King; 18 miles south of Prescott, AZ on the Bradshaw Ranger District (T1N, R2W, S24)

Start Date: 10-15-20

Size: 9537 Acres 

Percent Contained: 74%

Cause: Human. Under investigation.

Vegetation: Juniper, Chaparral, and Timber

Summary:   The Prescott National Forest assumed command of the Horse Fire on Sunday, October 25 at 9:00 pm.  The fire remains at 9,537 acres and is currently 74% contained. Although there is no threat of fire spread or potential growth; firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor containment lines. As a low-pressure system enters the area, fire officials anticipate that lower temperatures and high chances of precipitation will help to moderate fire activity; but will keep a close watch on the northeast perimeter as gusty winds are predicted for Monday evening. 

This will be the final news release unless there are significant changes in fire activity.

Closures: The Prescott NF has lifted the Horse Fire Area Closure at 6:00 am on Monday, October 26, 2020. We ask that the residents of Crown King and the public please stay out of the fire area, as post fire hazards still exist; and we ask that you stay off  the following roads as emergency fire road repair is occurring - FSR 52 from Palace Station to Crown King and FSR 52 south from Hooper Saddle to Minnehaha.  Please use County Road 59 to access the community of Crown King. 

Reminder - Stage 1 Fire Restrictions remain in effect across Prescott National Forest.

Remember – One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire.  

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
• Twitter:  @PrescottNF
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Fire Information for the Prescott National Forest: 928-925-1111

FINAL TEAM RELEASE

Acres: 9537 acres                                

Containment: 74%

Resources: 275

Vegetation: Juniper, Chaparral and Timber

Start Date: Oct. 15, 2020: noon

            Cause: Human, Under Investigation

            Origin Location: 7 Miles Northwest of Crown King; 18 miles south of Prescott, AZ on the Bradshaw Ranger District (T1N, R2W, S24)

Prescott National Forest Assumes Control of Horse Fire Monday

Type 1 Incident Management Team wraps up operations  

Crown King, Ariz., Oct 25, 2020 – The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 will transition the Horse Fire back to the Prescott National Forest on Monday, October 26, 2020.  This will be the final update from the Southwest Team 2; further updates and information on the Horse Fire will be provided by the Prescott National Forest. 

A smaller number of firefighters and engines remain to work with the Forest in its on-going operations to monitor the Horse Fire. Heavy equipment is still being used to improve FSR 58 and FSR 52, and crews are chipping downed trees and clearing vegetation.

A winter storm front is still on track to impact the fire area this weekend and early next week. Temperatures will drop sharply, and humidity will increase making good conditions to aid in wildland firefighting. Winds will increase Monday on mountain ridges reaching 40 miles per hour, yet no fire growth is anticipated. Smoke may be seen or increase up on the northern edge of the fire as heavy timber continues to molder within the fire perimeter. There is no threat of fire spread.

The public and residents of Crown King are reminded that an area closure for the Horse Fire remains in effect.  Even though deer season is underway, hunters are asked to stay out of the closure area which includes portions of Game Unit 20A/B.  Please view the Fire Area Closure Map to see what portion of the unit is closed.  
 
 
 

Public Information

Prescott NF Information: 928-925-1111

Media Phone: 928-499-4736

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7244/

Forest Closure: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7244/58100/

Closure Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd828593.pdf

Acres: 9537 acres

Containment: 63%

Resources: 333

Vegetation: Juniper, Chaparral and Timber

Start Date: Oct. 15, 2020: noon

Cause: Human, Under Investigation

Origin Location: 7 Miles Northwest of Crown King; 18 miles south of Prescott, AZ on the Bradshaw Ranger District (T1N, R2W, S24)

Crown King Residents Return Home

Incident Management Team inspects containment lines

Crown King, Ariz., Oct 24, 2020 – The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team is winding down operations Saturday on the Horse Fire after containment increases to 63 percent.

With no perimeter growth, evacuations were lifted for certified residents of Crown King. Firefighters remain in the area to ensure safety. There is no evidence of heat or smoke from the western edge to the southern tip of the fire perimeter. The FSR 52 is secure, though smoke will be seen from smoldering Ponderosa. Heavy equipment is still being used to improve the FSR 52 and FSR 58, and crews continue chipping downed vegetation.

Firefighters will inspect and monitor all containment lines Saturday. Up north, only two areas show smoke, and they are deep into the interior of the Horse Fire and in the Towers Creek drainage but pose no threat.

A winter storm front arrives this weekend with a sharp drop in temperatures and big increase in humidity that helps subside fire activity. By Monday and Tuesday, winds will increase on ridges in higher elevations, and this may produce increased smoke as unburned pockets of heavy fuels continue to smolder from within the fire perimeter. Officials expect no perimeter growth in the north.

A Horse Fire area closure remains in effect. Although deer season is underway, hunters are asked to stay out of the closure area which includes portions of Game Unit 20A/B. Please view the Fire Area Closure Map to see what portion of the unit is closed.

Public Information

Public Phone: 928-235-2061

(ends Saturday, 10/24, at 6 p.m.)

Media Phone: 928-499-4736

Email: 2020.horse@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/

Forest Closure: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7244/58100/

BAER Information:

Chad Yocum, BAER Team Leader 928-443-8082
David Moore, BAER Coordinator 928-713-9028

PRESCOTT, AZ – October 23, 2020 - The Prescott NF Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will
be conducting an in-depth assessment of emergency post-fire risks that could potentially impact
human safety, impact property, and damage sensitive resource values of the Horse Fire.  A BAER
assessment will be initiated when the fire is fully contained. Post fire risks are normally
affiliated with flashfloods and unstable soils.  The footprint of the fire is located within steep
and rugged terrain that is susceptible to post fire soil instability and higher run-off.  However,
the fire perimeter is in a remote area and initial surveys suggests minimal post-fire values are at
risk.

An initial assessment of the current perimeter suggests a probability of lower post-fire risks
associated with winter storm events.  Winter precipitation patterns normally do not pose flash
flood risks.  Flash floods that are normally affiliated with monsoons would most likely not
occur.  However, there is still a risk of flooding with sustained winter precipitation which would
be predictable and affiliated with normal flows that would gradually increase.

Additional Horse Fire BAER Assessment information is available at:https://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/

Evacuations will be lifted for residents only in Crown King and adjacent communities today at 4pm. See video for details. To watch the video click this link: https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/videos/917845465406120/

Please visit the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Facebook page for the most updated information.   

Catch our most recent Horse Fire Operations Briefing video by going to our Videos Tab or by clicking this link:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/video/7244/0/110538

Acres: 9536 acres

Containment: 49%

Resources: 394

Vegetation: Juniper, Chaparral and Timber

Start Date: Oct. 15, 2020: noon

Cause: Human, Under Investigation

Origin Location: 7 Miles Northwest of Crown King; 18 miles south of Prescott, AZ on the Bradshaw Ranger District (T1N, R2W, S24)

No New Growth on Horse Fire – Containment at 49%

Smoke on North Side as Vegetation Continues to Smolder

Crown King, Ariz., Oct 23, 2020 – There has been significant progress in the suppression of the Horse Fire. With 49% containment, the western perimeter is secure. Crews successfully extinguished all heat sources on the southern tip and southeastern area. Heavy equipment is being used to improve FSR 58 and FSR52, making it accessible to emergency vehicles. There is no new growth or movement of the fire.

The only remaining heat and smoke are well within the interior of the northeast corner of the fire, which is inaccessible. Aircraft is being used to monitor the interior pockets of heat which will smolder until a rain/snow-ending event.

With containment up and threats reduced, resources are slowly being released Friday and Saturday. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fires edge looking for any remaining heat and hazards; and begin to start working on suppression repair such as chipping trees that were cut for firebreaks.

In Crown King, firefighters are breaking down sprinklers and removing equipment as the risk of fire is greatly reduced. No structures are damaged or destroyed. The Yavapai County Sherriff’s (YCSO) office is evaluating evacuation orders today. For information on evacuations please call YCSO at 928-771-3260.

The southern half of the Prescott National Forest remains in an emergency closure. Although deer season opens today, hunters are asked to stay out of the closure area (Game Unit 20A/B). Please call Arizona Game and Fish for more information at 602-942-3000.

Public Information

Public Phone: 928-235-2061; (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

Media Phone: 928-499-4736

Email: 2020.horse@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/

Forest Closure: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7244/58100/

Southwest Area Team 2 Incident Commander, John Truett, talks with us about how a wildfire becomes a Type 1 Incident. To watch this, and all of our videos, please visit the Videos Tab or click this link:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/video/7244/0/110496

Today's operational update video is available for your viewing through the Videos Tab, or by clicking this link:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/video/7244/0/110478
 

Today's Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)'s Wildfire Smoke Forecast for the Horse Fire can be located at the following link:
https://azdeq.gov/WildfireForecast?fire=horsefire

Today and Friday, smoke from the Horse Fire will continue to disperse to the northeast. Light overhead smoke will be possible for the Mayer area.

In the evenings, smoke will settle down in areas adjacent to the fire. Overnight, smoke is expected to drain to the south, possibly into areas including Black Canyon City, Lake Pleasant, and Wickenburg. But by 9 AM tomorrow morning, any smoke near the ground will lift.

Individuals who are sensitive to smoke are encouraged to be "smoke aware." If you smell smoke, you are breathing smoke, please take the necessary precautions to protect your health.