Fire
On Tuesday there was minimal growth on the Griffin-Alder (62,454 acres, 88% containment) and the Rockhouse (19,520 acres, 0% containment) fires. They will be watched closely because the fuels are drying out and fire activity could increase. Visit the incident's inciweb link for the latest fire details: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7020/

Smoke
Strong west winds expected today will push smoke to the east. Similar but lighter winds tomorrow. Expect similar smoke conditions as the last two days. Long term outlook shows trends toward hot and dry conditions. 

Ozone
Ozone is expected to continue in the Moderate category. Ozone is currently driving the AQI ratings versus fine particulates (PM2.5)

Griffin Fire Operations Update Video for September 1, 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 not be available today

Griffin, Alder, Rockhouse, Juniper Fires – September 1, 2020 Morning Update

Griffin Fire:      61,822 acres       81% 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: 632 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  0% contained                    Cause: Lightning                               Vegetation: Grass and Brush Started 8/21     
Location: 22 miles southeast of San Carlos, AZ

Juniper Fire: 2,867 acres            100% contained               Cause: Under Investigation          Vegetation: Grass and Brush
Started 8/24     Location: 7 miles northeast of Roosevelt, AZ

Resources: 472 total including: 8 Crews; 34 Engines; 6 bulldozers; 11 water tenders; 2 masticators; 5 helicopters; 2 super scoopers

Highway 60 Reopened; All areas back to “READY” statusKo’ Ba Nagoni i’
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has reopened US Highway 60 between Globe and SR 73. There is a reduced speed limit of 55 mph 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/about/mobileapp or follow https://twitter.com/ArizonaDOT.

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

As a result of successful firefighting efforts on the Griffin Fire, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office and Gila County Emergency Management determined it is safe for residents to return to all areas on the east side of US Highway 60, north from the ADOT yard to Winters Ranch, including all residents of Fairgrounds Road, Winters Ranch, and Johnson Ranch. Residents in this area 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) information at  https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.

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, 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.

The weather forecast for today includes an elevated chance for scattered thunderstorms with strong outflow winds and lightning. After today, high pressure will build in the area,
Resulting in a warming and drying trend through the end of the week.

Crews on the Griffin Fire are working today to repair areas affected by fire suppression efforts. This includes grading roads, repairing dozer lines, and chipping woody debris. There is minimal smoldering within the Griffin Fire.

The Alder Fire is active with uphill runs possible when the sun shines on the hillside and winds expose the heat. Fireline has been constructed to prevent further spread to the northeast. If conditions allow, a helitack crew may be inserted in the northwest part of the fire to work in otherwise inaccessible terrain.

The Rockhouse fire is active on the northwest, south, and east ends. Helicopters may be used to transport firefighters to respond to fire activity. Two amphibious water scoopers, also known as super scoopers, are available to drop water on these areas.

The Juniper Fire and Starlight Fire are 100% contained.

A South Central Arizona Smoke Outlook with specific smoke forecasts for various communities is available on https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthCentralArizona. Strong west/southwest winds over the next few days are predicted to push smoke to the east. The Bylas area may be the most affected today. Wildfire Smoke and COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions can be found at 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 a 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)    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/
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/
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/

Fire
On Monday there was minimal growth on the Griffin-Alder (62,454 acres, 81% containment) fire and the Juniper fire was contained. The Rockhouse (19,506 acres, 0% containment) also showed minimal growth Monday but will be watched closely over the next couple days due to its potential to grow. Smoke from this fire and the nearby Light fire could affect Bylas.

Smoke
Slight chance of thunderstorms today. Concern for storms to create dry lightning. Strong west/southwest winds expected today and tomorrow pushing smoke to the east. Some wetting rain received on the Rockhouse otherwise none fell on fires in previous days. Long term outlook brings back hot and dry conditions.

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

Latest Update from Gila County Sheriff's Office for the #GriffinFireAs a result of the successful firefighting efforts on the Griffin Fire, the Gila County Sheriff's Office and Gila County Emergency Management have determined that the following areas are safe to repopulate: 
All residents on the East side of US Highway 60, North from the ADOT yard to Winters Ranch. Including all residents off Fairgrounds Road, Winters Ranch, and Johnson Ranch. All residents in this area should consider themselves in “READY” mode.

Read more at https://www.facebook.com/Gila-County-Sheriffs-Office-641987809193824 

US 60 eastbound east of Globe: Eastbound lanes have reopened between mileposts 251 and 318 after the #GriffinFire. The speed limit between Globe and near Fort Apache Reservation will be reduced to 55 mph to accommodate continued firefighting. https://twitter.com/ArizonaDOT/status/1300511532199981056

Griffin Fire Operations Update Video for August 31, 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, Rockhouse, Juniper Fires – August 31, 2020 Morning Update

Griffin Fire:      61,377 acres       77% 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: 578 acres                   0% contained                    Cause: Lightning                               Vegetation: Grass and Brush Started 8/27     Location: 16 miles north of San Carlos, AZ

Rockhouse Fire: 19,440 acres  0% contained                    Cause: Lightning                               Vegetation: Grass and Brush Started 8/21     Location: 22 miles southeast of San Carlos, AZ

Juniper Fire: 2,963 acres            36% contained                  Cause: Under Investigation          Vegetation: Grass and Brush

Started 8/24     Location: 7 miles northeast of Roosevelt, AZ

Resources: 456 total including: 7 Crews; 31 Engines; 4 bulldozers; 11 water tenders; 2 masticators; 5 helicopters; 2 amphibious super scooper planes

Significant Progress Along Highway 60 Corridor Fires

Ko’ Ba Nagoni i’

Firefighters have made significant progress along the Highway 60 corridor. Firefighters continue to work in the area, monitoring, patrolling, and continuing suppression rehabilitation. Call 511, visit https://az511.gov/ or https://www.az511.com/about/mobileapp or follow https://twitter.com/ArizonaDOT for current road status.

Road 1300, near Highway Tanks, and Road 900 remain 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. Observe posted speed limits, slow down in the vicinity of emergency vehicles and personnel, and drive with your lights on for safety.

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) information at  https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

No rain fell on the fire areas yesterday. Daytime sunshine quickly dried the moisture that fell the night before. The potential for scattered thunderstorms with outflow winds and lightning remain a concern today. A warming and drying trend is predicted through the end of the week.

The Griffin Fire has minimal fire behavior with interior pockets of vegetation burning. Heavy equipment is being used to repair bulldozer lines, grade roads, and chip woody material removed during suppression efforts in the Griffin Fire.

The Alder Fire was active with movement to the south and north. Firefighters have may drop buckets of water to slow the fire’s spread where they can do so effectively. They continue to the monitor fire activity and may conduct firing operations to protect values at risk as needed.

The Rockhouse Fire remains on the northwest, south, and east sides. Amphibious super scoopers dropping water have been effectively helping slow the fire’s spread, however without rain, the fire is expected to remain active and grow. Firefighters continue to assess values at risk in the area. 

Firefighting efforts prevented further movement on the Juniper Fire. It continues to creep and smolder.

Air attack personnel located a new fire, the Starlight Fire, east of the Rockhouse Fire yesterday and growth was quickly limited by firefighting resources already in the area.

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.

A South Central Arizona Smoke Outlook is available on https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthCentralArizona.  Rain and clouds today and tomorrow should continue to moderate smoke generation. Sun breaks and outflow winds from storms add uncertainty to the 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/

Alder Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7113/

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/

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/

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)