POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 12, 2020, 8 am
Acres: 647 acres

Percent Containment: 80%

Start Date: Friday, July 3, 2020

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 11 miles W of Payson, AZ

Fuels: Pinyon juniper, high desert grass

Resources: approx. 126 personnel assigned: including 1 crew, 2 engines, 3 helicopters with additional resources returning

Firefighters worked through Saturday night on active northwest perimeter  

Payson, Ariz. – Firefighters worked the northwest boundary of the Polles Fire through the night, using saws to cut a new line around the spot fire that developed yesterday afternoon.  Two thunderstorms yesterday produced gusty, erratic winds that rekindled an isolated heat source well within the perimeter.  The fire grew to the north and west with the first storm.  Then, winds from the second storm pushed flames back to the east.  The entire spot was approximately 75 acres.  Forward progress was halted, and the fire remains on top of the mesa.  
Additional air support and ground crews are reengaging the fire today to continue to check the line and patrol for hotspots.  Pocket of fire within the perimeter may become active Sunday afternoon under the extremely hot and dry conditions. However, little to no growth is expected today. 
 
There are no current threats from the Polles Fire to the communities of Pine-Strawberry or Payson. We do encourage that residents become familiar with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for their county emergency notification systems and remain alert, ready and make essential preparations. Visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for more information.
 
The Tonto National Forest has a Closure in effect across the forest to prevent new human caused fires.  Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
 
The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has closed due to the Polles Fire. For more information visit:  https://azstateparks.com/tonto
 
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. Drove incursions during a wildfire can result in significant fines and jail time. For more info, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
 
Polles Fire Public Information 
Fire Information: (480) 339-9585
Email: eric.solomon@usda.gov 
Inciweb:  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/
Tonto NF Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/
Tonto NF Twitter:  twitter.com/TontoForest
Tonto NF Website:  www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 11, 2020, 8pm

 POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 10, 2020 Acres: 572 acres                                                                                                    Percent Containment: 85%

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 9, 2020 

 Acres: 572 acres Percent Containment: 61%

 Start Date: Friday, July 3, 2020 Cause: Lightning

 Origin Location: 11 miles W of Payson, AZ Fuels: Pinion juniper, high desert grass

 Resources: approx. 384: including 9 crews, 10 engines, 7 helicopters

 Polles Fire 61% Contained
 
Payson, Ariz. – Yesterday ground resources continued to work the fire’s edge and completed contingency work around local communities. Due to the fire’s remote location in the wilderness and spotty vegetation in the area, crews haven’t been able to dig fireline and burn out from containment features like roads or trails.  Instead, they have been checking thousands of individual hotspots to ensure fuels along the fire’s perimeter are cold. “We are now reporting the fire as 61% contained, meaning we feel confident the fire will no longer grow in these areas.” said Incident Commander John Pierson. 
 
Little to no perimeter growth is predicted. The Incident Management Team will begin right-sizing the organization and demobilizing crews as appropriate. However, there will continue to be adequate air and ground resources to respond and suppress any fire activity and to perform initial attack if needed.
 
Today, and throughout the weekend, the weather forecast is calling for excessive heat warnings with a small chance of thunderstorms.
 
There are no current threats from the Polles Fire to the communities of Pine-Strawberry or Payson. We do encourage that residents become familiar with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for their county emergency notification systems and remain alert, ready and make essential preparations. Visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for more information.
 
The Tonto National Forest has a Closure in effect across the forest to prevent new human caused fires.  Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
 
The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has closed due to the Polles Fire. For more information visit:  https://azstateparks.com/tonto
 
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. Drove incursions during a wildfire can result in significant fines and jail time. For more info, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.Polles Fire Public Information
  Public Line: (928) 351-7723‬

 Media Line: (928) 351-7596

 Email: 2020.polles@firenet.gov

 Inciweb:  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/

 Tonto NF Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/

 Tonto NF Twitter:  twitter.com/TontoForest 

 Tonto NF Website:  www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 8, 2020

 ADVISORY
 
 POLLES FIRE HELICOPTER INCIDENT - July 7, 2020
 
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
Earlier today, a helicopter working on the Polles Fire on the Tonto National Forest crashed. We can currently confirm one fatality, which was the pilot. This individual was the only person on the aircraft.

 
The tragic incident is currently under investigation and additional information will be released as it becomes available. A press conference is being held at 7:30 pm. It will be live streamed to the Tonto NF Facebook page.

 
 Polles Fire Public Information 
 
 Public Line: (928) 351-7723
 
 Media Line: (928) 351-7596
 
 Email: 2020.polles@firenet.gov
 
 Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/
 
 Tonto NF Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/
 
 Tonto NF Twitter: twitter.com/TontoForest
 
 Tonto NF Website: www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 7, 2020
 
Acres: 580 acres Percent Containment: 0%
 
Start Date: Friday, July 3, 2020 Cause: Lightning
 
Origin Location: 11 miles W of Payson, AZ Fuels: Pinion juniper, high desert grass
 
Resources: approx. 360, including 9 crews, 14 engines, 3 dozers, 2 masticators, 5 helicopters
 
Challenged by hot and dry conditions firefighters continue to make progress toward containment
 
Payson, Ariz. – Facing extreme conditions firefighters on the Polles Fire west of Payson continue to make marked progress toward containment. A total of 6 hotshot crews are directly engaged on the fire within the wilderness area, supported by airtankers and helicopters during the day, while other firefighters have been working adjacent to the communities and the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, scouting vegetation conditions and enhancing established fuel breaks and roads that could help protect homes and slow fire spread should there be a shift in fire behavior on the fire, to be used only if needed. The north/northeast portion of the fire continues to be the most active area.
 
Crews have been taking advantage of the nighttime increase in humidity and decreased wind to make progress in building containment line. They have worked shifts late into the evening for the last few nights. These crews remain “spiked out”, sleeping in the remote wilderness, their food, drinking water and supplies flown in by helicopter daily.
 
There are no current threats from the Polles Fire to the communities of Pine-Strawberry or Payson. We do encourage that residents become familiar with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for their county emergency notification system and remain alert, ready and make essential preparations. Visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for more information.
 
The Tonto National Forest has a Closure in effect across the forest to prevent new human caused fires. Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
 
The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has closed due to the Polles Fire. For more information, visit: https://azstateparks.com/tonto
 
The fire is burning in the areas of The Arizona Trail, White Rock and Big Springs.
 
Smoke forecast for the Polles Fire, visit: https://bit.ly/2VNiwiY
 
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. More info, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
 
Polles Fire Public Information
 
Public Line: (928) 351-7723 Media Line: (928) 351-7596

Email: 2020.polles@firenet.gov

Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/ Tonto NF

Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/ Tonto NF

Twitter: twitter.com/TontoForest

Tonto NF Website: www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

 The  Evening Operational Video is available now

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 6, 2020
 
Acres: 572 acres (IR Flight)
 
Percent Containment: 0%
 
Start Date: Friday, July 3, 2020

Cause: Lightning
 
Origin Location: 11 miles W of Payson, AZ
 
Fuels: Pinion juniper, high desert grass
 
Resources: approx. 220, including

8 crews. 14 engines. 5 helicopters
 
Firefighters continue efforts to contain Polles Fire - Type 1 Incident Management Team transitions into command
 
 
 Payson, Ariz. The area’s extremely dry conditions and the potential for extreme fire behavior have warranted the decision to bring in the support of a Type 1 Incident Management Team. Logistical support required to support the firefighters working in terrain only accessible by helicopter also increased the complexity of the incident. The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team #2, lead by Incident Commander John Pierson, has taken command of the Polles Fire effective 6:00 a.m.
  

“The Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team and the Tonto National Forest have provided our team with a solid foundation of work from which we can continue to suppress this fire safely,” said Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Commander, John Pierson.   Hotshot crews have been flown in by helicopter and their suppression efforts have been supported by airtankers and helicopters. A nighttime increase in humidity has allowed firefighters to make progress in building containment line as they have worked shifts late into the evening for the last few nights. A total of 5 crews are directly engaged on the fire while other firefighters have been working adjacent to the communities, scouting vegetation conditions and enhancing established fuel breaks and roads that could help protect homes and slow fire spread should there be a shift in fire behavior on the fire. 

 
 There are no current threats from the Polles Fire to the communities of Pine-Strawberry or Payson. We do encourage that residents become familiar with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for their county emergency notification system and remain alert, ready and make essential preparations. Visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for more information. 

 
 The Tonto National Forest has a Closure in effect across the forest to prevent new human caused fires.  Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices. 

 
 The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has closed due to the Polles Fire. For more information, visit:  https://azstateparks.com/tonto 

 
 Smoke forecast for the Polles Fire, visit: https://bit.ly/2VNiwiY

  
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. More info, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

 
Polles Fire Public Information 

 
Public Line: (928) 351-7723‬
 
Media Line: (928) 351-7596 Email: 2020.polles@firenet.gov 
 
Inciweb:  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/ 
 
Tonto NF Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/ 
 
Tonto NF Twitter:  twitter.com/TontoForest 
 
Tonto NF Website:  www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

Stage III Fire Restrictions and Forest Closure
Date(s): Jun 30, 2020 - Jul 31, 2020

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