Single Publication

Racetrack Fire Update - July 28, 2023

The next Racetrack Update will be on Sunday, July 30, 2023

Location: North of Highway 169, south of Crater Mountain near the community of Cherry 

Start Date:  July 23, 2023

Size: 405 acres

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 60%

Resources: 1 Type-1 Crew, 2 Type-2 Crews, 4 Engines, 1 Dozer and additional support personnel.

Fire behavior: Low fire behavior

Types of vegetation in the area (aka fuels): Grass, Brush

SUMMARY: Southwest Area Type 4 Team led by Incident Commander Andrew Giralt, assumed command of the Racetrack fire this morning, Friday July 28, 2023.  Firefighters have made progress strengthening and improving the perimeter of the Racetrack Fire, preventing growth during afternoon thunderstorms.  Crews and heavy equipment will continue to patrol the fire, mop up remaining hot spots near control lines, repair and rehabilitate areas where suppression actions were taken, and clear hazardous snags and debris. in and around the fire area.  Light smoke may be visible at times, as interior fuels continue to burn and smolder. 

Over the next few days, the Incident Management Team will begin to release resources. This process is known as right-sizing the organization.  Crews will be released from the fire as objectives are met and made available to assist with other wildfires in the southwest. Remaining resources will patrol and hold the fire perimeter to ensure the fire remains within the planning area.   

Today monsoon moisture is expected to start increasing in the region.  This will result in greater coverage of showers and storms in the area. 

Evacuations – Please follow Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for current evacuation information at: https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff or call their non-emergency number at 928-771-3260.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: The entire Prescott National Forest is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions which prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within designated areas for portions of the forest. Under these restrictions, discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except for persons engaged in legal hunting activities, is prohibited on the Prescott National Forest. Fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited year-round on national forests.

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111.