Highlights: The Wildcat Fire increased to 14,072 acres due to windy weather conditions Sunday. The Tonto National Forest is expanding the size of the closure order due to wind gusts forecasted up to 40 miles per hour this afternoon. Aviation resources were used heavily yesterday on the southeast side of the fire. This resulted in limited fire growth. Continued night operations assisted in additional fire suppression.

Operations: The fire continues to be active on the southeast side of the fire perimeter due to weather conditions. Fire crews are continuing to scout and construct fire lines to prevent fire spread. Fire retardant dropped by aircraft alone will not suppress this fire. Firefighters are needed to complete the fire suppression activities. Additional aviation assets have been ordered and will arrive today to assist firefighters.

Weather: Hot, windy, and dry conditions will persist for the next several days. South winds are expected to gust between 25 and up to 40 miles per hour during the afternoon. This will make fire suppression efforts difficult. The winds are expected to lessen in the evening.

Closures: There is fire danger associated with the uncontrolled Wildcat Fire in the Cave Creek Ranger District. A closure order is in effect for the protection of public health and safety due to firefighting operations.

Bartlett Lake Road remains closed. The public is urged to stay away from the area. This is for the safety of the public and firefighters. The closure order is available on the Tonto National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=87558

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the highest priority. Please avoid the area while crews conduct fire suppression operations. The public is urged to sign up for the Maricopa County Emergency Notification System. The system allows you to be quickly notified of possible emergency evacuations. To learn more about the Arizona Emergency Information Network visit: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go. Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination. Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly…we can’t.

Smoke: Smoke from the Wildcat Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will drift to the north and east due to prevailing winds. Individuals who are sensitive to smoke and people with heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Location: East of the Desert Mountain Community and Tonto Hills Development; West of Bartlett Lake Reservoir in the Cave Creek Ranger District.

Start Date: May 18, 2024

Size: Approximately 14,072 acres

Percent Contained: 0%

Cause: Under investigation.

Vegetation: The fire is burning short grass and brush.

Resources: 8 crews, 16 fire engines, 3 helicopters, and 2 water tenders.

Number of Personnel Assigned: 300

Information Links and Contacts:

Tonto National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/fire

InciWeb  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-wildcat-fire

Fire email 2024.wildcat@firenet.gov

Information Phone: (480) 608-2181

The Tonto National Forest expanded the closure area around the Wildcat Fire to provide health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the fire. Forest Order No. 03-12-01-24-20 supersedes Order No. 03-12-01-24-19. 

Dolores, Colo., May 20, 2024 – With favorable conditions, firefighters on the Spruce Creek Fire were able to continue firing operations yesterday. Working within an established perimeter of roads and fence lines and using the aerial ignition capabilities of two drones, the fire now covers approximately 1,342 acres. It has been burning in ponderosa pine/gambel oak, aspen and some spruce. The fire has been burning with low-to moderate intensity. Approximately 110 fire personnel are assigned to the fire which is located about 11 air miles northeast of Dolores on Haycamp Mesa. The fire was started by lightning on May 14th.

“We are working with this natural ignition to maximize the positive effects from fire and minimize the negative effects that would come with a catastrophic fire. This means making wise choices about our fire response in ways that reduce the long-term risks to our watersheds and communities,” said Nick Mustoe, District Ranger for the Dolores Ranger District.  

To ensure firefighter and public safety, the forest is planning to implement a temporary area closure. A map and text of the order will be posted as soon as it available, which is expected to be sometime later today. The proposed closure will extend north and northeast from the junction of Forest System Roads 556 and 557.  The closure will cover all or parts of roads 556, 557, 558, 396; 396A ;398; and 398A.

Smoke will continue to be visible this week from across the area. Smoke will settle into valleys and other low-lying areas, especially at night and in the early morning hours. Wildfire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

An incident webpage has been set up for the Spruce Creek Fire at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cosjf-2024-spruce-creek-co

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Smoke from the Wildcat Fire may be present in the surrounding areas for many days. An interactive smoke map allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. https://fire.airnow.gov/

Ignitions are complete for today, Sunday, May 19, after successfully treating 70 acres at the Forsythe II Prescribed Fire Project. Firefighters remain in the area to secure and monitor the perimeter of this burn unit. We have posted a new video under the "videos" tab here in InciWeb with additional information from Forsythe II and how prescribed fire moves through a landscape.

Smoke and areas of flames on the interior of the burn unit may remain visible in the Gross Reservoir area, and could be noticeable throughout the night and into tomorrow. Smoke may also be noticeable in the greater Boulder County area this evening.

Ignitions are not planned for the next several days. If there is additional information to share regarding the Forsythe II Prescribed Burn, new email notifications will be sent. To receive these updates, join our email list and select "Forest Health & Fire: North of Hwy 72 (Coal Creek Canyon) to Hwy 119 Boulder Canyon (Nederland and Magnolia areas)". Additional information, including maps and project details for the Forsythe II prescribed burn plan, can be found here in InciWeb. 

Highlights: Wildcat Fire significantly increased from 5,000 to 12,100 acres due to weather conditions. Night shift successfully completed fire suppression efforts to the north and the east.

Operations: The fire is active on the southeast side of the fire perimeter. Fire crews are scouting and constructing fire lines to prevent the spread of the fire. Aviation operations continue to slow the growth of the fire using fire retardant and water.

Weather: Temperatures will gradually warm to above normal levels into the upper 80s to near 90s with relative humidity between 9-14%. South winds will gust during the afternoon and expected to climb up to 20 miles per hour before subsiding in the evening. Overnight temperatures will reach around 61 degrees Fahrenheit at the minimum with maximum humidity between 25-30%. Southwest winds will range from 6 to 11 miles per hour at night. 

Closures: A closure order is in effect for the protection of public health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the uncontrolled Wildcat Fire on the Cave Creek Ranger District. The public is urged to stay away from the area so as not to impede fire suppression operations and for the safety of themselves and firefighters. Bartlett Lake Road is closed. The closure order is available on the Tonto's website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1176254.pdf

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the highest priority.  Please avoid the area while crews conduct fire suppression operations for public and firefighter safety. The public is urged to sign up for the Maricopa County Emergency Notification System to be quickly notified of possible emergency evacuations if necessary. To learn more about the Arizona Emergency Information Network visit: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go. Drones and firefighting aircraft are a dangerous mix and could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly, we can’t.

Smoke:  Smoke from the Wildcat Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will drift to the north and east due to southwest winds. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Location: East of Desert Mountain Community and Tonto Hills Development; West of Bartlett Lake Reservoir on the Cave Creek Ranger District.

Start Date:  May 18, 2024

Size:  Approximately 12,100 acres

Percent Contained:  0%

Cause:  Under investigation.

Vegetation: The fire is burning grasses and desert shrub.

Resources: 1 large and 1 light helicopter, 7 fire crews, 10 fire engines, 1 water tender and 1 medic crew with more resources on route. 

Number of Personnel Assigned: 180

Information Links and Contacts: 

Tonto National Forest  https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/tonto/fire

InciWeb https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-wildcat-fire

Fire email 2024.wildcat@firenet.gov 

Fry Fire Final Update

Date: May 19, 2024             12:00pm

Fire Information: 

• Phone: 218-248-7240
• On inciweb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-fry-fire
• The Superior National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/superior 
• Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorNF

Containment: 100% 

Size: Size reduction due to more accurate mapping.                                                                                    186 acres (49 acres prescribed fire and 137 acres wildfire)

Location:Superior National Forest, Tofte Ranger District. National Forest System lands south of the arc Trail, 177A, north of MN Highway 1 and east by the Little Isabella Campground. Lake County, MN (Township 60N, Range 9W, Sections 25, 26).

Current Status: The fire containment was increased to 100% yesterday evening as crews completed their work and feel confident that the edge of the fire will not move. Containment means more than just constructing control line around a fire. After firefighting resources construct control line, the next step is to remove wildland fuel available to burn and/or extinguish sources of heat by mopping up. These actions are taken to secure control lines and prevent the fire from escaping under the current and expected weather forecast. Once secure, that area of the fire is considered contained. This firefighting work has been completed and the fire is now in patrol status. The fire size has been reduced due to more accurate mapping being completed by crews on the fire.

There is no immediate threat to private property or structures and the fire is not active.

Planned Actions: This will be the final update for the Fry Fire. There are no crews assigned to the fire but the on-duty fire module (engine and crew) from will check on the fire as a part of their regular work day. This is routine procedure when a fire of this size is 100% contained.

Fire crews have completed a test fire and verified that conditions are good for prescribed fire ignitions today, Sunday, May 19, for the Forsythe II Prescribed burn area. Smoke may be notably visible in the Gross Reservoir area as well as along the Front Range.

Fire managers work closely with experts to minimize the impacts of smoke. Air quality is carefully monitored before and during a prescribed fire and all prescribed burns comply with state air quality regulations to minimize impacts to communities. To learn more about the potential health impacts of smoke visit www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health.

Additional email notifications will be sent out periodically during ignition periods. To receive updates, make sure to join our email list and select "Forest Health & Fire: North of Hwy 72 (Coal Creek Canyon) to Hwy 119 Boulder Canyon (Nederland and Magnolia areas)". Additional information, including maps, videos and project details for the Forsythe II prescribed burn plan, can be found on InciWeb.

Have questions? Email ARPFireInfo@usda.gov.