PREPARING FOR RAINSTORMS

RANCH2 SOIL BURN SEVERITY MAP RELEASED

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists recently completed their data gathering and verification field work of the Ranch2 Fire burn area.  The Soil Burn Severity map has been finalized.  Soil Burn Severity levels are Unburned/Very Low, Low, Moderate, and High.

The map shows that in the Ranch2 Fire area, approximately 18% of the 4,119 acres analyzed by the BAER team is either unburned/very low (4%) or low (14%) soil burn severity, while 75% sustained a moderate soil burn severity, and 7% burned at high soil burn severity.

The BAER post-fire assessment team uses soil burn severity data to identify if there are areas of concern where increased soil erosion, accelerated surface water run-off, and debris flows have the potential to impact human life/safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources from storm events. The BAER team consists of Forest Service scientists and specialists that are considering emergency stabilization options for those critical resources.

BAER Team Leader Todd Ellsworth said, “The BAER team expects erosion and run-off within the Ranch2 Fire area to increase as a result of the fire because 82% of the burned area experienced moderate or high soil burn severity.”  In specific areas that experienced moderate to high soil burn severity, there is concern for increased post-fire run-off from steep hillslopes and resultant increases in post-fire soil erosion and debris flows.

The Ranch2 Fire soil burn severity BAER map can be downloaded at the interagency “Ranch2 Post-Fire BAER” InciWeb site (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7114) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “maps” tab.

A "Field Guide for Mapping Post-Fire Soil Burn Severity" can help with interpreting the map and can be found online at http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr243.pdf.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

Ranch2 Post-Fire BAER Assessment information is available at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7114/.

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Limitations

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water run-off may increase and cause flooding, soil and rock may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs putting community water supplies and endangered species at-risk.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging storm event to meet program objectives.

BAER Objectives:

• Determine whether imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands exist and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage the unacceptable risks.
• If emergency conditions are identified, mitigate significant threats to human life and safety, Forest Service property and other critical natural and cultural resource values.
• Prescribe emergency response actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.
• Implement emergency response actions to help stabilize soil; control water, sediment and debris movement and potentially reduce threats to the BAER critical values identified above when an analysis shows that planned actions are likely to reduce risks substantially within the first year following containment of the fire.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.

BAER Interagency Coordination:

Post-fire emergency response is a shared responsibility. There are several Federal, State and local agencies that have emergency response responsibilities or authorities in the post-fire environment. The BAER team coordinates with these agencies to look at the full scope and scale of the situation to reduce the potential threats to human life and property. It is important that BAER efforts are communicated with all affected and interested cooperating agencies and organizations regarding other post-fire recovery and restoration efforts.

BAER treatments cannot prevent all of the potential flooding or soil erosion impacts, especially after a wildfire-changed landscape. It is important for the public to stay informed and prepared for potentially dramatic increased run-off events.

One of the most effective BAER strategies is interagency coordination to provide post-fire threat information to local cooperators who can assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners to prepare for rain events. For example, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program for post-emergency assistance on private and tribal land, the National Weather Service (NWS) has responsibility for flood warning alerts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has flood insurance and other responsibilities if the area is a Presidentially-declared emergency, Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) and counties, as well as State and local-highway and emergency services departments, Flood Control authorities, etc. It is important that landowners work directly with NRCS and other agencies to determine appropriate actions needed to protect private structures and other assets.

BAER Process:

BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals that may include: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, botanists, archeologists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe temporary emergency stabilization actions on National Forest System lands to protect the land quickly and effectively. BAER assessments usually begin before a wildfire has been fully contained.

A BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization measures. The team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and model potential watershed response from the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of very low/unburned, low, moderate, and high which may correspond to a projected increase in watershed response. The higher the burn severity, the less the soil will be able to absorb water when it rains. Without absorption, there will be increased run-off with the potential of flooding.

The BAER team presents these findings in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural and critical natural resources. This includes early detection and rapid response (EDRR) treatments to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities. The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire watershed response information, areas of concern for life and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization measures for Forest Service lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated. Severely burned areas steep slopes, and places where water run-off will be excessive and may impact important resources, are focus areas and described in the BAER assessment report if they affect critical values. Response action timing is essential to ensure the emergency stabilization measures are effective.

There are a variety of emergency stabilization actions that the BAER team can recommend for Forest Service land such as mulching with agricultural straw or chipped wood to protect soil productivity, increasing road drainage to keep roads and bridges from washing-out during post-fire floods, and early detection rapid response invasive plant treatments to prevent spread of weeds into native plant communities. BAER treatments are preventative in nature but cannot prevent all damage, especially debris torrents in areas that are prone to sliding and have lost critical root structure from plants.

The Cans and Cannots of BAER:

What BAER Can Do:

• Install water or erosion control devices
• Seed or mulch for erosion control or stability reasons
• Install erosion control measures at critical cultural sites
• Install temporary barriers to protect treated or recovering areas
• Install warning signs
• Replace minor safety related facilities, like burned guard rails
• Install appropriate-sized drainage features on roads, trails
• Remove critical safety hazards
• Prevent permanent loss of T&E habitat
• Monitor BAER treatments
• Implement EDRR treatments to minimize the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities

What BAER Cannot Do:

• Prevent all flooding and debris flows
• Replant commercial forests or grass for forage
• Excavate and interpret cultural sites
• Replace burned pasture fences
• Install interpretive signs
• Replace burned buildings, bridges, corrals, etc.
• Repair roads damaged by floods after fire
• Remove all hazard trees
• Replace burned habitat
• Monitor fire effects
• Treat pre-existing noxious weeds

BAER Funding:

Special Emergency Wildfire Suppression funds are authorized for BAER activities and the amount of these expenses varies with the severity of the fire season. Some years see little BAER activity while other years are extremely busy.

Because of the emergency nature of BAER, initial requests for funding of proposed BAER treatments are supposed to be submitted by the Forest Supervisor to the Regional Office within7 days of total containment of the fire. The Regional Forester’s approval authority for individual BAER projects is limited. Approval for BAER projects exceeding this limit is forwarded onto the Washington Office.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.   

KEY ELEMENTS OF A BAER ASSESSMENT 
                              
Forest Service BAER assessment teams are established by Forest Supervisors before wildfires are fully contained. The teams coordinate and work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), National Weather Service (NWS), local counties, State Department of Transportation, and other federal, state, and local agencies to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to the watersheds burned from wildland fires.

• The BAER assessment teams are evaluating watershed conditions to determine the level of potential risks to human life, safety, property, critical natural and cultural-heritage resources, and determine if there are appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures that can be implemented on federal lands in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding and debris flow threats.

• The BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area.

• BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals that may include: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, geologists, biologists, botanists, archeologists, geographic information system mapping specialists, recreation and trails specialists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe emergency response actions to protect the land quickly and effectively.

• BAER assessments usually begin before a wildfire has been fully contained.

• The BAER assessment team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and watershed response to the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of low/unburned, moderate, and high which corresponds to a projected increase in watershed response.

• The BAER team presents these findings and treatment recommendations to the Forest Supervisor in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency stabilization actions needed to address potential post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural-heritage and critical natural resources on National Forest System lands.

• The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire response information, areas of concern for human life, safety and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization actions for federal lands that burned.

• In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated.

• If the BAER assessment team determines there may be potential emergency situations, the short-term goal is to have flood and erosion control protection measures completed before the first large, damaging rain events occur.

• Timely implementation is critical if BAER emergency response actions are to be effective.

• The BAER assessment team coordinates with other federal and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased run-off and potential flooding.

• Federal assistance to private landowners regarding post-fire potential impacts is the primary responsibility of the NRCS through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program (www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/).

• NRCS in coordination with additional state, local and federal agencies conduct damage survey reports for the private land adjacent to and downstream from the burned areas. NRCS uses these reports, along with the BAER team’s assessment report, to develop recommended emergency measures for businesses and private home and landowners to reduce the impacts to their property from potential increased water and debris flows.

  SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

FOREST SERVICE BAER PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging event to meet program objectives:

BAER Objectives:

-   Determine whether imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands exist and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage the unacceptable risks.

-   If emergency conditions are identified, mitigate significant threats to health, safety, human life, property and critical cultural and natural resources.

-   Prescribe emergency response actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to critical values resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.

-   Implement emergency response actions to help stabilize soil; control water, sediment and debris movement and potentially reduce threats to the BAER critical values identified above when an analysis shows that planned actions are likely to reduce risks substantially within the first year following containment of the fire.

-   Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water run-off may increase and cause flooding, soil and rock may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs putting community water supplies and endangered species at-risk.

The BAER team presents these findings in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural and critical natural resources. This includes early detection and rapid response (EDRR) treatments to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities. The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire watershed response information, areas of concern for life and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization measures for Forest Service lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated. Severely burned areas steep slopes, and places where water run-off will be excessive and may impact important resources, are focus areas and described in the BAER assessment report if they affect critical values. Time is critical if the emergency stabilization measures are to be effective.

A BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization measures. The team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and model potential watershed response from the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of very low/unburned, low, moderate, and high which may correspond to a projected increase in watershed response. The higher the burn severity, the less the soil will be able to absorb water when it rains. Without absorption, there will be increased run-off with the potential of flooding.

BAER Funding:

Special Emergency Wildfire Suppression funds are authorized for BAER activities and the amount of these expenses varies with the severity of the fire season. Some years see little BAER activity while other years are extremely busy.

Because of the emergency nature of BAER, initial requests for funding of proposed BAER treatments are supposed to be submitted by the Forest Supervisor to the Regional Office within 7 days of total containment of the fire. The Regional Forester’s approval authority for individual BAER projects is limited. Approval for BAER projects exceeding this limit is to the Washington Office.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

FOREST SERVICE BAER TEAM BEGINS

POST-FIRE ASSESSMENT OF WILDFIRES

A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team was established by the Angeles National Forest to begin burned area assessments of the Ranch2 and Lake Fires. The BAER team is being led by Forest Service Watershed Specialist Todd Ellsworth. The team is coordinating with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Weather Service (NWS), US Geological Survey (USGS), Los Angeles County DPW-Stormwater Division and other federal, state and local agencies as they assess potential post-fire impacts to the burned watersheds.

BAER surveys are rapid assessments that evaluate the burned area to identify watersheds having increased potential for post-fire flooding, sediment flows and rock slides. Since the BAER survey is a rapid assessment to assist land managers prepare the burned area for rainstorms, the team will focus on potential emergency impacts to life, and safety on National Forest System (NFS) land and share the team’s findings with the responsible downstream agencies.

BAER teams may consist of scientists and specialists including hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, wildlife biologists, recreation specialists, archeologists and geographic information specialists. BAER teams collect data during their burned area surveys to analyze through GIS and computer models and presents their findings along with recommended BAER emergency stabilization treatments in a BAER assessment report.

BAER teams utilize satellite imagery and specialist data to analyze and produce a map that shows the levels of burn severity on the watersheds. This is the first step in assessing potential watershed impacts from wildfires to any NFS values that may be at-risk from potential increased flooding, sedimentation, debris flows and rock slides. BAER teams produce a report that describes threats associated with the burned area’s post-fire conditions along with recommended emergency stabilization measures and actions. BAER emergency response efforts are focused on the protection of human life, safety and property, as well as critical cultural and natural resource values such as the water quality of streams and wetlands on NFS lands.

BAER reports are shared with interagency cooperators who work with downstream private home and land owners to prepare for potential post-fire flooding and debris flow impacts. Homes or businesses that could be impacted by flooding from federal land that resulted from wildfires may be eligible for flood insurance coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Information about NFIP is available through FEMA at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program or www.fema.gov/wildfires-you-need-flood-insurance. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods at www.floodsmart.gov/.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

Ranch2 Post-Fire BAER Assessment information is available at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7114/.

Lake Post-Fire BAER Assessment information is available at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7115/.

THREE PHASES OF WILDFIRE RECOVERY

There are three phases of recovery following wildfires on federal lands:

• Fire Suppression Repair

• Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)

• Long-Term Recovery and Restoration

• Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

• Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first post-fire damaging events. Fires result in loss of vegetation, exposure of soil to erosion, and increased water runoff that may lead to flooding, increased sediment, debris flows, and damage to critical natural and cultural resources. BAER actions such as: mulching, seeding, installation of erosion and water run-off control structures, temporary barriers to protect recovering areas, and installation of warning signs may be implemented. BAER work may also replace safety related facilities; remove safety hazards; prevent permanent loss of habitat for threatened and endangered species; prevent the spread of noxious weeds, and protect critical cultural resources.

• Long-Term Recovery and Restoration utilizes non-emergency actions to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally and to repair or replace facilities damaged by the fire that are not critical to life and safety. This phase may include restoring burned habitat, reforestation, other planting or seeding, monitoring fire effects, replacing burned fences, interpreting cultural sites, treating noxious weed infestations, and installing interpretive signs.

 Alder and Rockhouse Fires – September 4, 2020 Final Update 

Alder Fire: 633 acres       0% contained     Cause: Lightning      Vegetation: Grass and Brush
Started 8/27   Location: 16 miles north of San Carlos, AZ  

Rockhouse Fire: 19,506 acres    37% contained      Cause: Lightning      Vegetation: Grass and Brush
Started 8/21   Location: 22 miles southeast of San Carlos, AZ 

Resources: 378 total including: 6 Crews; 14 Engines; 4 bulldozers; 5 water tenders; 3 helicopters; 9 Ambulances

Final Update; Firefighters Focus on Suppression Repair; Transition to Type 3 Organization on Saturday
Ko’ Ba Nagoni i’ 

This is the final update for the Alder and Rockhouse Fires unless significant events occur. Beginning Saturday, August 5, visit the San Carlos Apache Forest Resources Program – Forestry Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SCATFORESTRY or call 928.475.2326 for fire information. 

No smoke was observed during aerial surveys on the Alder Fire yesterday. Chipping will continue on the 1300 Road today.  

No fire activity was observed on the Rockhouse Fire yesterday afternoon. Crews will continue to monitor and patrol the fire perimeter.  

Excessive heat and drying is expected through the weekend.  

The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team #1 will transition command of the Rockhouse and Alder Fires to a Type 3 Incident Commander effective 7 a.m. on Saturday, September 4.  Firefighters will continue to focus on fire suppression repair.  

Some smoke may be visible from time to time within the perimeter of the fires until the area receives significant precipitation. Heavy fuels, like downed logs, can hold heat for a long time. Fire activity may occur within pockets of unburned vegetation within the fire’s perimeter, especially on hot, dry, windy days and in steep, rugged terrain. 

Firefighters will continue to protect values at risk as needed where they can do so safely and effectively. Challenges include extreme temperatures and steep and remote terrain. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority. Firefighters are working to protect local communities; power lines; mines; range improvements; historical, cultural, and ceremonial sites; and natural resources.  

Highway 60 is open. There is a reduced speed limit of 55 mph along Highway 60 due to firefighters working in the area. Please use caution when travelling, observe posted speed limits, and drive with lights on for safety. For current road status call 511, visit https://az511.gov/, https://www.az511.com/aout/mobileapp, or follow https://twitter.com/ArizonaDOT.  

Road 1300 near Highway Tanks, SC Route 6, and Road 900 remain closed on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.  

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t! Every time a drone is spotted near a fire, all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/ 

This region is experiencing an active fire season and all residents should consider themselves in “READY” status, be aware of hazards, and keep up to date on changing conditions. For current emergency management information, visit Gila County Emergency Management at http://www.readygila.com/ or San Carlos Apache Tribe Emergency Response Commission https://tinyurl.com/y50067jr. Learn more about Ready (Prepare Now) – Set (Be Alert) – Go (Evacuate) at https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go. 

Fire Information Through Friday, September 4 
Fire Information: 928-421-4539 through 9/4; 928-475-2326 beginning 9/5 
Alder Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7113/ 
Rockhouse Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7103/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltGinGriffinFire  

Fire Information Beginning Saturday, September 5 
Fire Information: 928-475-2326 
Alder Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7113/ 
Rockhouse Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7103/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCATFORESTRY  

Regional Fire Information 
Interactive Fire Map: https://maps.nwcg.gov/sa/ 
Arizona Fire Information: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/ and https://ein.az.gov/  
Gila County Emergency Management: http://www.readygila.com/  
San Carlos Apache Tribe Emergency Response Commission (TERC): https://tinyurl.com/y50067jr  

Alder Fire Operations Update Video for September 3, 2020 with Planning Operations Trainee Caleb Finch is now available on the Salt Gin Griffin Fire Information Facebook page at http://bit.ly/OpsUpdateVideo

A version in Apache will also be available

Griffin, Alder, Rockhouse – September 3, 2020 Morning Update 

  Griffin Fire:      61,821 acres       100% contained                  Cause: Lightning                               Vegetation: Grass and Brush

The Griffin Fire (started 8/17) merged with the Gin Fire (started 8/16) and Champion Fire (started 8/23).

Location: 5 miles northeast of Globe, AZ in the Apache mountains west of Hwy 60

Alder Fire: 633 acres                   0% contained                    Cause: Lightning                               Vegetation: Grass and Brush Started 8/27     Location: 16 miles north of San Carlos, AZ

Rockhouse Fire: 19,506 acres  37% contained                    Cause: Lightning                               Vegetation: Grass and Brush Started 8/21     Location: 22 miles southeast of San Carlos, AZ

Resources: 419 total including: 7 Crews; 17 Engines; 5 bulldozers; 7 water tenders; 7 helicopters

 Griffin Fire Contained; Another Day of Warming and Drying 

Ko’ Ba Nagoni i’ 

The Griffin Fire is 100% contained. This means that a control line has been completed around the entire fire perimeter with a reasonable expectation that fire will not spread beyond that point. Smoldering will continue within the fire’s perimeter until significant moisture is received over the fire area. Firefighters are nearing completion on chipping and grading to restore roads impacted by fire suppression efforts. 

Firefighters inserted by helicopter on the Alder Fire yesterday were successful in suppressing areas of heat near the fire’s edge on the ridgetop. Crews continue to monitor the fire where it is inaccessible in steep, rugged terrain. Firefighters continue to chip materials along the 1300 Road to the east of the fire. 

Firefighters used heavy equipment to improve access to areas east of the Rockhouse Fire. This will provide opportunities for firefighters to access the fire from roads if necessary in the future. Firefighters will be in the area to monitor, patrol and respond to any new fires detected. 

Significant warming and drying is predicted through the upcoming holiday weekend. Excessive heat with temperatures climbing above 100 degrees is forecasted for lower elevations. No precipitation is forecasted for the next few days. Weather conditions could allow fire behavior to pick up in the afternoon. 

Today is the last day for a South Central Arizona Smoke Outlook at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthCentralArizona. Smoke production has almost ceased. Any smoke generated will likely be within the interior of the fire as flames creep through unburned pockets of vegetation. Smoke is not likely to move far beyond the fire perimeter. Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions can be found at https://tinyurl.com/y3xp4cy3.  

Firefighters are focused on protecting values at risk where they can do so safely and effectively. Challenges include extreme temperatures and steep and remote terrain. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority. Firefighters are working to protect local communities; power lines; mines; range improvements; historical, cultural, and ceremonial sites; and natural resources. We are working with nearby Incident Management Teams and agency administrators to share resources where they are needed most. 

This region is experiencing an active fire season and all residents should consider themselves in “READY” status, be aware of hazards, and keep up to date on changing conditions. For current emergency management information, visit Gila County Emergency Management at http://www.readygila.com/ or San Carlos Apache Tribe Emergency Response Commission https://tinyurl.com/y50067jr. Learn more about Ready (Prepare Now) – Set (Be Alert) – Go (Evacuate) at https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go. 

Highway 60 is open. There is a reduced speed limit of 55 mph along Highway 60 due to firefighters working in the area. Please use caution when travelling, observe posted speed limits, and drive with lights on for safety. For current road status call 511, visit https://az511.gov/, https://www.az511.com/aout/mobileapp, or follow https://twitter.com/ArizonaDOT.  

Road 1300 near Highway Tanks, SC Route 6, and Road 900 remain closed on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.  

The Tonto National Forest has issued Public Safety Closure Orders for the areas impacted by these fires. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices for details. 

Temporary Flight Restrictions are in effect. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t! Every time a drone is spotted near a fire, all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. http://knowbeforeyoufly.org/ 
 

Fire Information: 928-421-4539         Email: 2020.griffin@firenet.gov
Griffin Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7020/
Alder Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7113/
Rockhouse Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7103/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltGinGriffinFire and https://www.facebook.com/SCATFORESTRY
Arizona Fire Information: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/ and https://ein.az.gov/
Gila County Emergency Management: http://www.readygila.com/
San Carlos Apache Tribe Emergency Response Commission (TERC): https://tinyurl.com/y50067jr
Interactive Fire Map: https://maps.nwcg.gov/sa/