Outflow winds from area storms has increased fire activity on the Ridge Fire this afternoon, pushing it in a northerly direction.

There is NO immediate threat to homes or structures - residents should be READY.

Learn more about Arizona's READY-SET-GO program so you are READY and SET in case you are asked to GO!: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go #AZFire
 
 
Mohave County residents are encouraged to sign up for the County's Code Red Emergency Notification System: https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/BF06DA57F62C  
  

County Emergency Order: Hualapai Mountain Park Closed Effective Sunrise Tomorrow - Update on Hualapai Ridge Fire
 
KINGMAN, AZ (August 20, 2020) – Today, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jean Bishop signed a Declaration of Fire Emergency in Mohave County (ATTACHED) due to the continuing high fire threat and the Ridge Fire currently burning on BLM property in the Hualapai Mountains. The declaration confirms that: Mohave County Hualapai Mountain Park will be closed to new visitors effective at sunrise, August 21, 2020, for the duration of the fire emergency or until the potential threat to the Park is declared over. RV campers currently in the Park will be allowed to stay for the time being, but have been informed to be prepared for an immediate evacuation if it becomes necessary. 

The closure of the Park does not affect Pine Lake residents. The Ridge Fire is approximately 5 miles from the Pine Lake community and does not pose an immediate danger to residents. However, it is standard procedure to take safety precautions well in advance of the development of a potential wildfire threat such as in this case. The Park closure is a prudent precaution to limit the number of persons in the Pine Lake area, particularly hikers in the Park, that would need to be located, notified and evacuated. It is also important to limit the current area traffic volume to avoid interference with fire resource movements. 

Pine Lake residents have been advised via door to door contacts by Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Posse members to be prepared to evacuate should this become necessary. Procedures are in place to provide evacuation notifications as soon as a threat develops. The Declaration will also expedite the use of Mohave County resources in support of Ridge Fire operations should such resources be needed. 


The Ridge Fire located in the Hualapai Mountains, southeast of Kingman began on the afternoon of August 16 as the result of a lightning strike from area thunderstorms. The community of Pine Lake is approximately 5 miles north of the fire. The fire is currently not threatening any homes or structures. Winds from area storms increased fire activity late yesterday afternoon pushing the fire to over 2,000 acres. It remained active overnight with movement north, east, and west. Continued growth toward the north and east is expected to take place, as firefighters continue to remove vegetation adjacent to roads, trails and natural features identified as potential containment features. Firefighters are using various techniques to remove vegetation including cutting, mastication, and burnout operations to remove available fuel ahead of the main fire. Aviation resources including air tankers and helicopters continue to support the efforts of firefighters on the ground. 

Due to increased incident complexity, predicted hot and dry weather, and proximity of the fire to communities and critical communications infrastructure a Type 2 incident management team [Southwest Area Type 2 - Team 3 (Gesser)] has been ordered. That team is scheduled to transition with the Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team tomorrow (Friday) with a full transfer of management Saturday morning. 

There are no immediate threats to area ranches or communities from the Ridge Fire. Mohave County residents are encouraged to learn more about Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for Mohave County Emergency Notifications by visiting: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go 

Closures: There are several road and trail closures in the fire area, affecting the Moss Wash OHV Trail, Blake Ranch Road and the Ridge Road, among others. Details of the road closures and maps can be found on Inciweb. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6990/ 

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible through the day and into the evening as it settles into the surrounding low-lying areas. Smoke sensitive individuals are encouraged to stay indoors to reduce their exposure. 

Fire Danger is high. Fire Restrictions are in effect. The Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Trust Lands and unincorporated Mohave County lands in this area are under Fire Restrictions. Use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/ 

 Information on the RIDGE FIRE will continue to be updated at:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6990/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMArizona/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BLMAZFire #RidgeFire #AZFire

Ridge Fire Update – August 20, 2020

Acres: 2,283 acres Percent Containment: 0%
Start Date: Sunday, August 16, 2020 Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: Hualapai Mountains; 5 miles S of Pine Lake, AZ
Fuels: Grass, Chapparal, Pinyon-Juniper, and Ponderosa Pine
Personnel Assigned: approx. 140 personnel

Wind from area storms pushes Ridge Fire to over 2,000 acres

Kingman, Ariz. – Winds from area storms increased fire activity late yesterday afternoon pushing the Ridge Fire to over 2,000 acres. The fire remained active overnight with movement north, east, and west. Continued growth toward the north and east is expected through the day, as firefighters continue to remove vegetation adjacent to roads, trails and natural features identified as potential containment features. Firefighters are using various techniques to remove vegetation including cutting, mastication, and burnout operations to remove available fuel ahead of the main fire. Aviation resources including airtankers and helicopters continue to support the efforts of firefighters on the ground.

Due to increased incident complexity, predicted hot and dry weather, and proximity of the fire to communities and critical communications infrastructure a Type 2 incident management team [Southwest Area Type 2 - Team 3 (Gesser)] has been ordered. That team is scheduled to transition with the Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team Friday with a full transfer of management Saturday morning.

There are no immediate threats to area ranches or communities from the Ridge Fire. Mohave County residents are encouraged to learn more about Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for Mohave County Emergency Notifications by visiting: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Closures: There are several road and trail closures in the fire area, affecting the Moss Wash OHV Trail, Blake Ranch Road and the Ridge Road, among others. Details of the road closures and maps can be found on Inciweb. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6990/

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible through the day and into the evening as it settles into the surrounding low-lying areas. Smoke sensitive individuals are encouraged to stay indoors to reduce their exposure.

Fire Danger is high. Fire Restrictions are in effect. The Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Trust Lands and unincorporated Mohave County lands in this area are under Fire Restrictions. Use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/

Ridge Fire Information can be found on:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6990/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMArizona/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BLMAZFire #RidgeFire #AZFire 

Arizona Central West ZoneType 3 Incident Management Team Rob Roy Williams – Incident Commander

Ridge Fire Update – August 19, 2020

Acres: approx. 986 acres Percent Containment: 0%
Start Date: Sunday, August 16, 2020 Cause: Lightning
Origin Location: Hualapai Mountains; 5 miles S of Pine Lake, AZ
Fuels: Grass, Chapparal, Pinyon-Juniper, and Ponderosa Pine
Personnel Assigned: approx. 110 personnel

Ridge Fire pushed by winds from thunderstorms - Minimal rain over fire area

Kingman, Ariz. – Firefighters on the Ridge Fire experienced strong outflow winds from passing thunderstorms late Tuesday afternoon. Winds pushed the fire in all directions with sustained high winds and gusts upward of 50 miles per hour. Most of the fire’s movement from the passage of the storm front was to the north and west. The fire area received little to no rain and fire activity increased into the evening producing smoke that settled into area communities and as far north as Kingman overnight.

Firefighters will continue work today to improve roads, trails, and natural features like rock outcropping by cutting or burning out vegetation adjacent to those features to slow or contain the fire. They will utilize helicopter water drops and airtankers as needed to support their efforts on the ground.

There are no anticipated direct impacts to area ranches or communities from the Ridge Fire, but Arizona does experience wildfires year-round. Mohave County residents are encouraged to learn more about Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for Mohave County Emergency Notifications by visiting: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Closures: There are several road and trail closures in the fire area, affecting the Moss Wash OHV Trail and the Ridge Road, among others.
The details of the road closures and a map can be found on Inciweb. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6990/

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible through the day and into the evening as it settles into the surrounding low laying areas. Smoke sensitive individuals are encouraged to stay indoors to reduce their exposure.

Fire Danger is high. Fire Restrictions in effect. The Bureau of Land Management, State Lands and unincorporated Mohave County lands in this area are under Fire Restrictions. Use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/

Ridge Fire Information can be found on:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMArizona/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BLMAZFire #RidgeFire #AZFire

  -end-

  Ridge Fire Information

  Phone: (602) 345-0246
  Email: 2020.ridgefire@firenet.gov

Thunderstorms in the fire area late this afternoon produced winds upwards of 50 miles per hour pushing fire in all directions and increasing fire activity. Little to no rain was received over the fire area. Flames and increased smoke has been visible since the storm's passing.
 
There still remains NO active threat to homes or structures.

Smoke will impact down slope communities and ranches and may push into the Kingman area relative to the winds tonight.

Ridge Fire Update – August 18, 2020

Beach Fire Update
8/19/20, 9:00 am 

Size: 3,780 acres (estimated)
Containment: 80%
Location: Southeast of Mono Lake
Fuels: Sagebrush
Cause: Lightning

Update: Fire activity was minimal last night and remains minimal this morning. Some interior pockets of fuel are burning on the northeast part of the fire and putting up some fingers of smoke.

Today crews plan to complete containment lines around the fire perimeter and their focus will shift to mop-up operations to remove areas of heat near the edge of fire to improve containment.

Highway 120 E has re-opened.

Firefighters continue to patrol the forest looking for other fires associated with the significant lightning activity. The Butte Fire (.25 acres), north of Pumice Butte and south of Mammoth Mountain, is being suppressed. Other fires, which firefighters refer to as sleeper fires, may be detected when conditions dry and the fires become active.

Weather: Thunderstorms remain in the forecast as the monsoonal pattern continues. Gusty winds, low relative humidity, and excessive heat are significant concerns for fire behavior. Additional lightning fires are also possible.

Closures: The South Tufa Area is closed. All forest roads leading into South Tufa are closed. Firefighters continue to work here, and the fire has burned through much of this area.

Assisting agencies include Bureau of Land Management and California State Parks. 

Resources: There are 172 personnel assigned to the incident. This includes eleven engines, four hand crews, two helicopters, two dozers, and a water tender.

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Closures: The South Tufa Area is closed. All forest roads leading into South Tufa are closed. Firefighters continue to work here, and the fire has burned through much of this area. 

Beach Fire Update 

Size: 3,780 acres (estimated)
Containment: 80%
Location: Southeast of Mono Lake
Fuels: Sagebrush
Cause: Lightning

Update: Today, fire activity was moderate as clouds and some rain were over the area. Fire crews made excellent progress and got initial containment lines around the entire fire perimeter, although some of these lines will need to be improved. Helicopters cooled some interior pockets of heat on the northeast flank. Firefighters continued mopping up hot spots along the fire perimeter. Crews will continue these efforts tonight.

Crew suppression efforts are focused on protecting the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve and sage grouse habitat. The helicopter work should help keep some interior islands of sage brush unburned to aid in sage brush habitat preservation where sage grouse nest.

Firefighters continue to patrol the forest looking for other fires associated with the significant lightning activity. The Butte Fire, north of Pumice Butte and south of Mammoth Mountain, has been detected and is .25 acres. Firefighters are hiking in to suppress this fire.  Other fires, which firefighters refer to as sleeper fires, may be detected when conditions dry and the fires become active.

Weather: Thunderstorms remain in the forecast as the monsoonal pattern continues. Gusty winds, low relative humidity, and excessive heat are significant concerns for fire behavior. Additional lightning fires are also possible.

Closures: Highway 120 E is closed from the junction of Highway 395 to the Benton Crossing Rd.

Assisting agencies include California Highway Patrol, Cal Trans, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife, and California State Parks. 

Resources: There are 104 personnel assigned to the incident. This includes six engines, two hand crews, two helicopters, one dozer, and a water tender.

Beach Fire Update

Size: 3,000 acres (estimated)
Containment: 80%
Location: Southeast of Mono Lake
Fuels: Sagebrush
Cause: Lightning

Update: Last night, fire activity was minimal and fire crews made excellent progress on containment line construction with their focus on the western flank that was active yesterday afternoon.

Today, crews will continue line construction and mop up along containment lines. Mop up is the slow and tedious work of extinguishing or remove burning material near containment lines. Firefighters look for smoke or hot spots and drown and stir (just like putting out a camp or warming fire) over many, many acres. This helps reduce the risk of fire escaping containment lines during wind events or other conditions that challenge containment lines.

Crew suppression efforts are focused on protecting the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve and sage grouse habitat.

Firefighters continue to patrol the forest looking for other fires associated with the significant lightning activity.

Weather: Thunderstorms remain in the forecast as the monsoonal pattern continues. Gusty winds, low relative humidity, and excessive heat are significant concerns for fire behavior. Additional lightning fires are also possible.

Closures: Highway 120 E is closed from the junction of Highway 395 to the Benton Crossing Rd.

Assisting agencies include California Highway Patrol, Cal Trans, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife, California State Parks, and CAL FIRE.

Resources: There are 145 personnel assigned to the incident. This includes eleven engines, four hand crews, two helicopters, two dozers, and a water tender. More resources have been ordered, but there has been a significant amount of new fire activity in California in the past several days.

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