Griffin – Meddler – Salt Fires, August 27, 2020 Morning Update 

Salt Fire                                                                                                                                                                 Cause: Lightning                             Percent containment: 71%
Location: 11 miles north of Globe, AZ near the junction of Hwy. 188 and SR 288                 Size: 20,838 acres                       
Vegetation: Sonoran Desert Grass and Brush 
Fire Strategy: Full Suppression 

Griffin Fire 
Location: 5 miles northeast of Globe, AZ in the Apache mountains west of Hwy. 60              Cause: Lightning                             Percent containment: 28%
Vegetation: Grass and Brush                                                                                                                           Size: 60,075 acres  
Fire Strategy: Full Suppression 

Meddler Fire                                                                                                                                                       Cause: Under Investigation                         Percent containment: 20%
Location: 7 miles northeast of Roosevelt, AZ                                                                                          Size: 5,142 acres 
Vegetation: Grass and Brush 
Fire Strategy: Full Suppression 

Resources: 537 total including: 12 Crews; 35 Engines; 5 bulldozers; 11 water tenders; 6 helicopters 

Griffin Fire Grows to Northeast Ko’ Ba Nagoni i’ 

Last night a thunderstorm moved across the southern portion of the Griffin Fire bringing lightning and some rain. An “Initial Attack” contingent of firefighters from the team are on standby to respond to any new fires in the area that may result from the lightning. 

Take the time to become familiar with the Ready-Set-Go Evacuation information before you see smoke in your community.  More information is available at: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go 

 Overview 

• The communities along the east side of Highway 60 (north of Globe) from ADOT yard north to Winters Ranch including Johnson Ranch and McMillianville are in a “Go” evacuation Status. 

• The San Carlos communities of Upper Gilson and Skill Center have returned to “Ready” Status. 

• Highway 60 is closed north of Globe from S. Parker Street (MM251) north to MM318 www.az511.gov  

• 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. 

• Highways 188 and 288 are open. 

• Road 1300, near Highway Tanks, Road 900, and Indian Route 6, Old San Carlos Highway, 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. 

UPDATE 

Griffin Fire (merged with Champion Fire): 

The fire continued to exhibit active fire behavior yesterday. Residual heat and overnight fire spread contributed to an active fire edge that increased in fire activity early in the shift. The northeast flank continues to be very active north of the Sevenmile Mountains in heavy brush and timber. An active edge of fire from Winters Ranch south down the Hwy 60 corridor continued to advance to the west. As winds switched to the west-southwest in the mid-afternoon fire behavior began to moderate and push away from Highway 60. Winds are forecast to be from the southwest today from 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph with the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms. 

Today, firefighters are in place to help protect residences and other values at risk in the Highway 60 corridor and will build direct line and burn out if necessary, along the east side of Highway 60 to keep the fire from crossing the highway. Crews were able to secure the south flank of the fire and will hold and improve those firelines today. On the east side of the fire, firefighters will build direct line where possible and continue to prepare contingency lines from the Cassadore Springs Fire scar south to the Quail Fire scar. On the northwest corner, west of Highway 60 firefighters continue to protect the Griffin, Winters, McMillianville, Adobe, Haystack and Tucker Ranches and keep fire south of FR 303 (Sevenmile Wash Rd). Please continue to be on the lookout for fire equipment and personnel as they drive through San Carlos and the Sevenmile communities to access the fires. 

Communities Affected: 

The communities along the east side of Highway 60 from the ADOT yard north to Winters Ranch, including Johnson Ranch and McMillianville are in a “Go” evacuation Status. 
The following communities on San Carlos Reservation have moved from “Set” to “Ready” status: Upper Gilson and Skill Center. 
For emergency alert and Red Cross evacuation information, visit http://www.readygila.com/. 

Meddler Fire: 

Minimal fire activity was observed on the fire yesterday. Crews will hold and improve fireline along FR 203 on the north edge of the fire and hold the fire along a two-track road on the east flank as well. Firefighters are working to mitigate threats to 5 residences, 10 outbuildings, and 500kV powerlines.  Structure prep work is being conducted in the Rockhouse Community, Dagger Ranch, and Coon Creek Ranch. 

Salt Fire: 

Firefighters continue to patrol and monitor the fire perimeter. Occasional smoke, flames and ash whirls from within the burned area may be visible from the highway and nearby communities. 

Roosevelt Lake Recreation: 

Roosevelt Lake and adjacent recreation sites remains open to the public, with the exception of Bermuda Flat, Cholla Bay, and Bachelor’s Cove which are closed due to concerns for potential flooding after the Bush Fire earlier this summer. 

Griffin and Salt fires Smoke Report: 

Today and tomorrow, smoke during the afternoon is expected to move toward the east/southeast with light to moderate impacts likely through the day in San Carlos and Peridot. There will be a continued chance for afternoon thunderstorms along with gusty outflow winds. As outflows move through the region, fire activity may increase, resulting in more smoke production. Outflow winds may also push brief pockets of moderate to heavy smoke into Globe-Miami and Roosevelt. Expect hazy conditions with periods of light to moderate smoke impacts for all communities surrounding the fires. 

Overnight smoke will move into the drainages and low lying areas adjacent to the fire. Smoke from the Medicine Fire is expected to combine with smoke from the Griffin Fire, causing heavier smoke impacts throughout the night into the early morning hours in San Carlos, Peridot, and possibly Globe-Miami. The heaviest of impacts are expected between 2 am and 9 am with the smoke lifting out by 10 am. https://azdeq.gov/WildfireForecast 

Closures and Restrictions: The Tonto National Forest has issued a Public Safety Closure Order for the area impacted by these fires, for more information visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices or https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7019/  

Values: Fire fighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. The fire area includes multiple communities, power lines, mines, range improvements, historical, cultural, ceremonial sites and natural resources, which firefighters are working hard to assess and protect. 

The Griffin Fire Operations Update Video for August 27, 2020 with Planning Operations Trainee Caleb Finch is now available on the Salt Gin Griffin Fire Information Facebook page at http://bit.ly/OpsUpdateVideo

Location: 5 miles northeast of Globe, AZ in the Apache mountains west of Hwy. 60
Cause: Lightning
Size: 60,056 acres
Percent containment: 28%
Vegetation: Grass and Brush
Fire Strategy: Full Suppression

The Griffin fire is currently burning on the Tonto National Forest and the San Carlos Indian Reservation approximately 9 miles north of Globe, AZ. It is currently being reported at 38,069 acres, 32% containment. A new fire named the Champion fire started just south of the Griffin's perimeter on the San Carlos Indian Reservation. The Champion is expect to grow into the Griffin fire today. 

Yesterday drier conditions and outflow winds produced from thunderstorms in the area increased fire activity and smoke production. Northeasterly winds overnight pushed more smoke back into the Globe, Miami areas. Early this morning, all smoke monitors in the area recorded their highest readings since the fires began.

Today we are expecting similar weather conditions to what was seen yesterday, with above normal temperatures and thunderstorms in the late afternoon. There will be a slight change in the wind direction as we are forecasting south to southeast winds early today before increasing and becoming outflow driven in the early afternoon. An increase in fire activity is expected to produce more smoke, and with the addition of smoke from other fires in the area, smokier conditions are also expected throughout the day into the overnight.

All communities located around the fires should anticipate hazy conditions with periods of heavy smoke. Overnight smoke will move into the drainages and low lying areas adjacent to the fire. A northerly flow is expected to enhance the diurnal wind pattern, allowing smoke from the wildfires to the north to combine with smoke from the Griffin and Champion fires. This will cause heavier smoke impacts throughout the night into the early morning hours in the communities surrounding the fire. The heaviest of impacts are expected between 2 am and 9 am with the smoke lifting out by 10 am. Air quality is forecasted to be in the Unhealthy AQI category.

If possible, the suggested actions to take are: close windows and use fans or alternative cooling devices, turn off swamp coolers, use filtered HVAC systems, and avoid outdoor activities. A heat advisory has been issued for today; please take necessary precautions to protect your health and the health of those around you. Roadways near the fire may see periods of heavy smoke lowering visibility, use caution when driving.
 
Go to https://azdeq.gov/wildfireforecast?fire=griffinfire for the full report.  

Griffin Fire Sees Additional Growth East of Highway 60
Ko’ Ba Nagoni i’

Griffin Fire

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

Cause: Lightning

ROAD CLOSURES:

• Highway 60 is closed from the intersection of Highway 70 and Highway 60 to BIA-1956 (mile marker 318).
• Indian Route 6 is closed.  
• Rd 1300 and 900 on San Carlos

• 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.

• The communities of Upper Gilson and Skill Center are now on ‘Set’ mode.

GO! –  Evacuate

Danger in your area is imminent and life threatening.

• If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand emergency services may not be able to assist you further.

• Follow instructions from emergency personnel, stay on designated evacuation routes and avoid closed areas.

SET – Be Alert

Know there is significant danger in your area.

Residents should consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating. 

Grab your emergency go kit.

Keep in mind unique needs for your family or special equipment for pets and livestock.

Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.  

This might be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Be SET to GO.

Griffin Fire Continues to Progress into the Sevenmile Drainage

Sunday August 23, 2020 Salt & Griffin Update

Salt Fire Evacuation Area Lifted

Community Status: Returned To “Set” Mode

Salt Fire

Location: 11 miles north of Globe, AZ near the junction of Hwy. 188 and SR 288

Cause: Lightning

Size: 20,288 acres

Percent containment: 20%

Vegetation: Sonoran Desert Grass and Brush

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression

Gin and Griffin Fires Merge now called the Griffin Fire

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

 Reopened

• Hwy. 188 and SR 288 have reopened. Drivers will be escorted via pilot car though the Salt Fire Burned Area and can expect delays from E Del Rio Ln (MM216) to Sr 188 Old Alignment (MM232).
• Hwy 60 has reopened.

• Road 1300 coming off Highway 60 onto San Carlos Apache Nation
• Road 900 coming off Road 1300 on San Carlos Apache Nation

New Areas on “Go” Evacuation Status

 
Salt Fire