Fire
Fire activity was light on Griffin (62,477 acres, 77% containment) on Sunday. Superstition and Meddler fires have been turned back to local control. Hidden (4,307 acres, 0% containment), Rockhouse (19,440 acres, 0% containment) and Juniper (2,963 acres, 36% containment) were most active as were a couple other smaller fires. 

Smoke 
Rain and clouds today and tomorrow should continue to moderate fire activity and smoke generation. Some areas may see peeks of sun which will increase fire activity in those areas. Outflow winds from storms will add an additional level of uncertainty to smoke forecast. 

Ozone
Ozone is expected to continue in the Moderate or Good categories. Ozone is currently driving the AQI numbers versus fine particulates (PM2.5)

 Fire
Fire activity was light on Griffin (61,955 acres, 44% containment), Superstition (9,539 acres, 58% containment) and Meddler (4,452 acres, 44% containment) fires on Saturday. Hidden (4,307 acres, 0% containment) and Rockhouse (11,783 acres, 0% containment) were most active.

Smoke
Rain and clouds today and tomorrow should moderate fire activity and smoke generation. Some areas may still see peeks of sun which will increase fire activity in those areas. Outflow winds from storms will add an additional level of uncertainty to smoke forecast.

Ozone
Ozone is expected to continue in the Moderate or Good categories. Ozone is currently driving the AQI numbers versus fine particulates (PM2.5)

 The Griffin Fire Operations Update Video for August 30, 2020 with Planning Operations Trainee Caleb Finch is now available on the Salt Gin Griffin Fire Information Facebook page at http://bit.ly/OpsUpdateVideo

There is also an option to watch the video in Apache.

 Griffin, Alder, Rock House, Juniper Fires – August 30, 2020 Morning Update

Minimal Rain Over Fires Yesterday; Scattered Thunderstorms Possible Today

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 A Flash Flood Watch is in effect today. Scattered thunderstorms with locally heavy rain, outflow winds, and lightning are concerns today. Dry washes and valley drainages should be avoided during heavy rain. Keep in mind that heavy rain several miles away can flood a dry wash with little warning. Plan for an alternate route if this occurs.

All of the fires received minimal rain yesterday, ranging from 1/2” on the Juniper Fire to less than 1/10” on the Rockhouse Fire. Fire activity is expected to continue until these areas receive significant, widespread rain.

Firefighters are patrolling for hotspots and rehabilitating areas that have burned in the Griffin Fire along the highway.  They are cold trailing, making sure there are no active areas of heat near the fire’s perimeter on the northeast side. The portion of the Griffin Fire west of Highway 60 and the southeast flank of the fire on the San Carlos Reservation remain inactive. Firefighters plan to complete approximately ¾” miles of prep work along the 1300 Road on the northeast side of the Griffin Fire today. Firefighters continue work along the 1120 Road. They are also working on suppression repair including restoring dozer lines in areas of the fire that are now contained.

Highway 60 remains closed north of Globe from S. Parker Street (MM251) north to MM318 in Show Low. Highways 188 and 288 are open. Call 511, visit https://az511.gov or https://www.az511.com/about/mobileapp for current road status.

Road 1300, near Highway Tanks, Road 900, are closed on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Please be careful while driving in the fire area as firefighters are working along roadways and travelling through communities to reach the fires.

Firefighters are monitoring fire activity on the Alder Fire, located northeast of the Griffin Fire. They are prepared to conduct firing operations if needed. The fire is located in steep terrain where it is primarily spreading laterally due to the steep terrain when burning vegetation rolls downslope, then runs back upslope.

Yesterday firefighters made significant progress helping to secure the Juniper Fire, constructing line and using burnout operations to tie in within roads in the area. Direct suppression continues today.

Fire activity and movement will continue to be driven by dry fuels, terrain, slope and potential of winds from thunderstorms through the area. We are expecting higher temperatures and lower humidity over the fire area for the next several days. The chance of afternoon thunderstorm buildup and outflow winds will remain a concern for public and firefighter safety.

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

The communities along the east side of Highway 60 (north of Globe) from ADOT yard north to Winters Ranch including    Johnson Ranch and McMillianville remain in a “Go” evacuation Status. The San Carlos communities of Upper Gilson and Skill Center have returned to “Ready” status. For emergency alert and Red Cross evacuation information, visit http://www.readygila.com/. Ready (Prepare Now) – Set (Be Alert) – Go (Evacuate) Info: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

A South Central Arizona Smoke Outlook is available on https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthCentralArizona. Rain and clouds today and tomorrow should moderate fire activity and smoke generation. Some areas may still see peeks of sun which will increase fire activity in those areas. Outflow winds from storms will add an additional level of uncertainty to smoke forecast. Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions: https://tinyurl.com/y3xp4cy3

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 the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. knowbeforeyoufly.org

Fire Information: 928-421-4539 (public)      928-421-4579 (media)

Griffin Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7020/

Meddler Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7072/

Rockhouse Fire https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7103/

Juniper Fire https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7106/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaltGinGriffinFire/ and https://www.facebook.com/SCATFORESTRY/

Arizona Fire Information: https://wildlandfire.az.gov and https://ein.az.gov/

Interactive Fire Map: https://maps.nwcg.gov/sa/

Deep Creek Fire: 3,971 acres, 100% contained
Location: 10 miles east of Albany, Texas
Cause: lightning

The Deep Creek Fire is 3,971 acres and 100% contained. This fire will be transferred back to local resources to monitor. 

Deep Creek Fire: 3,971 acres, 90% contained
Location: 10 miles east of Albany, Texas
Resources: 55

This fire looked good yesterday with some smokes showing interior across the fire area. Dozers worked to widen and improve containment lines. Engines patrolled and mopped up the perimeter of the fire and continued to monitor it throughout the day.

Ground resources will be patrolling fireline and mopping up as needed today.

Fire Weather: Numerous thunderstorms are expected across the region today through Wednesday. These storms will contain frequent lightning and gusty, erratic winds, which may occur several miles away from the parent thunderstorm. The chance of a wetting rainfall is high with 1-3 inches possible through Wednesday night. It will be hot and humid today with temperatures in the mid 90 degrees with minimum relative humidity around 46 percent. A breezy south wind will continue for most of the day with a shift to the west possible late this afternoon. The remainder of the week will remain unsettled with multiple opportunities for rain and thunderstorms.

Deep Creek Fire: 3,971 acres, 80% contained
Location: 10 miles east of Albany, Texas
Resources: 34
Cause: lightning 

Fire activity was very active and the fire grew quickly yesterday. Crews utilized dozers to construct containment lines while engines were engaged in mop up across the fire area. The fire jumped containment lines yesterday afternoon and aviation resources, including five single engine air tankers and three fire bosses, were utilized to help slow fire progression. Approximately 30 homes were under voluntary evacuation as a precaution but all residents are able to return. Burn out operations were conducted on the north side of the fire to strengthen containment lines and remove unburned vegetation between the lines and active fire edge. There were multiple slopovers overnight.

Today, crews are working to contain the multiple slopovers that occurred overnight. Overall, the fire is looking good this morning with heavy fuels still holding heat. Containment lines will be tied in, widened and improved by dozers today, while engines will patrol and mop up.

Fire Weather: Isolated showers and a possible thunderstorm is possible this morning and into the afternoon. Severe weather is possible. Afternoon temperatures will be 100 degrees Fahrenheit with a heat index between 105-110, and cooler temperatures will return tonight. Winds will be out of the south at 10-15 mph.

Hubbard Creek Fire: 484 acres, 100% contained
Location: 7 miles east of Albany, Texas

The Hubbard Creek Fire is 484 acres and 100% contained. This fire will be transferred back to local resources to monitor. 

Hubbard Creek Fire: est. 500 acres, 90% contained
Location: 7 miles east of Albany, Texas
Resources: 32

Fire activity was moderate yesterday. Crews utilized heavy equipment to construct containment lines while engines were engaged in mop up across the fire area. Dozers made slow progress due to terrain difficulties, but continued to make headway in constructing fireline. There are several interior hotspots with a lot of heat on the perimeters. The left flank of the fire remained active into the evening and, around 11pm last night, the fire made a big run.

Today, ground resources will be patrolling fireline and mopping up as needed. Dozers will continue to improve containment lines across the fire area.

Fire Weather: Isolated showers and a possible thunderstorm is possible this morning and into the afternoon. Severe weather is possible. Afternoon temperatures will be 100 degrees Fahrenheit with a heat index between 105-110, and cooler temperatures will return tonight. Winds will be out of the south at 10-15 mph.

1853 Fire: 1,120 acres, 100% contained
Location: 7 miles northeast of Moran, Texas

The 1853 Fire is 1,120 acres and 100% contained. This fire will be transferred back to local resources to monitor.