Arizona Emergency Information Network

On August 30, 2024, resources from Prescott National Forest responded to a reported wildfire south of Prescott in the Cellar Creek area. The lightning-caused Cellar 2 Fire is burning in brush and grass in the Cellar Fire burn scar and is currently estimated to be at 175 acres.

Due to the location and terrain, the decision was made to suppress the fire by using a full suppression strategy with a variety of tactics that will allow for firefighter and public safety while keeping the fire within a containment perimeter and allowing fire to play a natural role in the fire-dependent ecosystem. Firefighters have spent the last several shifts preparing roads around the fire for burnout operations to commence as soon as this morning. There are no values at risk or threatened at this time.

“We would like to ask the public to avoid the fire area which will allow fire personnel and equipment to successfully implement suppression operations,” said Chino Valley Deputy District Ranger John Kava.

Resources assigned include 3 engines, one water tender, one suppression module, and one dozer.

Smoke will be visible from the Wagoner, Skull Valley, Kirkland, and Wilhoit areas. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

For information please call the Prescott NF fire information line at 928-925-1111 or following us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Tonto National Forest and SW Area Incident Management Team will be holding a public meeting on Friday, September 6, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the Pine Community Center 3872 AZ-87, Pine, AZ, 85544.

Operations:

West Fire -24 Acres: No significant growth was observed overnight. Today firefighters and equipment will focus on removing fuels along Forest Service Road (FSR) 218. Dead trees are being cut along the Milk Ranch Road (FSR218). Masticators and dozers are also working along portions of FSR 300. Additional control lines are being scouted in Bray Creek Ranch and Camp Geronimo. Dozers are improving existing fuel breaks west of Pine.

Preacher Fire - 2 Acre: The Preacher Fire is burning about 8 miles northeast of Payson, Arizona. The fire is burning within an area previously prepared for prescribed burning. Today engines are patrolling the existing control lines and checking for any improvements needed. Sparse vegetation that re-grew along portions of the previously constructed lines will be removed in preparation for firing operations. 

Both fires are being managed under a confine/contain strategy with the goal of reintroducing fire into a fire dependent ecosystem. The intended result of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions and restore ecological balance. The total planning areas for the West Fire includes 16,700 acres, for Preacher Fire 3,200 acres. This will decrease unnaturally high accumulations of fuels and the potential for future fires to burn with unnaturally high severity, aligning with the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

Weather: Sunny and hot conditions persist with temperatures in the middle to upper 80’s. The relative humidity has fallen to around 20% and the wind is terrain driven at speeds less than 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph. The overall weather pattern will not change through the end of the week with hot and dry conditions. Low shower and thunderstorm chances are anticipated to return to the region on the weekend.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area while fire operations are being conducted.

Smoke: Smoke from the West and Preacher Fires may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. As temperatures increase the volume of smoke may increase due to the drying and ignition of available fuels. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website. 

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
     
Important fire information:

• Fire information number: (928)-291-7354 (7 am-7 pm)
• Media Phone Number: (928)-291-6528 (7am -7pm)
• Email: Email: [email protected]
• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-2024-west-fire-tnf
  A map of the West and Preacher fires on September 5 2024.jpg

The Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the West and Preacher Fires at 6 a.m. this morning. 

West Fire -24 Acres:

Yesterday afternoon, the West Fire creeped over on to the top of the Mogollon Rim. Fire behavior was active but low intensity. Today, firefighters will continue to evaluate and improve firelines with a focus on the protection of values at risk (VAR). Handcrews, masticators, and dozers are being utilized to strengthen firelines. Values at risk include the private lands and the communities of Camp Geronimo, Geronimo Estates, Bray Creek Ranch and Pine. Infrastructure values at risk include powerlines, Coconino Forest Service Road (FSR) 300, Coconino FSR 218, State Route 87 and Tonto FSR 64. Natural and cultural resource VARs include range infrastructure, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, and recreation areas.

Preacher Fire - 2 Acres:

The Preacher Fire is burning about 8 miles northeast of Payson, Arizona. Today, firefighters will be masticating and snagging off the 218 road corridor to improve firelines.

Weather: Today, sunny with a high of 91 degrees and a low of 62. Winds will be light and variable becoming southwest 5-8 mph.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area while fire operations are being conducted.

Fire details: 

• Start Date: August 28, 2024
• Location: Payson Ranger District, AZ
• Personnel: 158
• Containment: 0%
• Cause: Lightning
• Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, Mixed Conifer, Chaparral

Smoke: Smoke from the West Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. As temperatures increase the volume of smoke may increase due to the drying and ignition of available fuels. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

The West Fire is a lightning-caused wildfire that is currently burning four miles northeast of Pine, Arizona. The fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy with the goal of reintroducing fire into a fire dependent ecosystem. The intended result of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions and restore ecological balance. This will decrease unnaturally high accumulations of fuels and the potential for future fires to burn with unnaturally high severity, aligning with the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Thursday, September 5.

Take Action

• Drive less, carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit ShareTheRide.com.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Reduce wait time in long drive-thru lines. Park your vehicle and walk inside at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, curbside pick-up, and banks.
• Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
• Delay large painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Properly seal containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air. Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Conserve electricity.

HPA Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-highway vehicles are prohibited from being used.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of particulate matter, all Transportation Coordinators are requested to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal "ozone season."

"High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults, and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

Operations: Firefighter efforts will continue to evaluate and improve firelines with a focus on the protection of values at risk (VAR). Today, firefighters focused on creating dozer and handline around the fire area and scouted possible access to the fire. Values at risk include the private lands and the communities of Camp Geronimo, Geronimo Estates, Bray Creek Ranch and Pine. Infrastructure values at risk include powerlines, Coconino Forest Service Road (FSR) 300, Coconino FSR 218, State Route 87 and Tonto FSR 64. Natural and cultural resource VARs include range infrastructure, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, recreation, and other environmental and social values.

Weather: Today, mostly clear with a high temperature of 89 degrees. 0% chance of precipitation with humidities in the 24% range. East winds of 6 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with temperatures around 58 degrees. Maximum RH’s 45-50%.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.

Fire details: 

• Size: 12 acres    
• Cause: Lightning  
• Containment: 0% 
• Total personnel: 158
• Start Date: August 28, 2024
• Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona 
• Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral

Smoke: Smoke from the West Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. As temperatures increase the volume of smoke may increase due to the drying and ignition of available fuels. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

The West Fire is a lightning-caused wildfire that is currently burning four miles northeast of Pine, Arizona. The fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy with the goal of reintroducing fire into a fire dependent ecosystem. The intended result of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions and restore ecological balance. This will decrease unnaturally high accumulations of fuels and the potential for future fires to burn with unnaturally high severity in support of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for Wednesday, September 4.

Take Action

• Drive less, carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit ShareTheRide.com.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Reduce wait time in long drive-thru lines. Park your vehicle and walk inside at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, curbside pick-up, and banks.
• Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
• Delay large painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Properly seal containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air. Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Conserve electricity.

HPA Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-highway vehicles are prohibited from being used.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of particulate matter, all Transportation Coordinators are requested to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal "ozone season."

"High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults, and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.

The West Fire is a lightning-caused wildfire that is currently burning four miles northeast of Pine, Arizona. The fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy with the goal of reintroducing fire into a fire dependent ecosystem. The intended result of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions and restore ecological balance. This will decrease unnaturally high accumulations of fuels and the potential for future fires to burn with unnaturally high severity in support of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

Operations: Firefighter efforts will continue to evaluate and improve firelines with a focus on the protection of values at risk (VAR). Values at risk include the private lands and the communities of Camp Geronimo, Geronimo Estates, Bray Creek Ranch and Pine. Infrastructure values at risk include powerlines, Coconino Forest Service Road (FSR) 300, Coconino FSR 218, State Route 87 and Tonto FSR 64. Natural and cultural resource VARs include range infrastructure, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, recreation, and other environmental and social values.

Weather: Today, mostly sunny with a high temperature of 81 degrees with 0% chance of precipitation. Humidities in the 23-25% range with southeast winds 5 to 8 mph.

Tonight: Clear, with temperatures around 59 degrees. Maximum RH’s 45-50%

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.

Fire details: 

• Size: 12 acres
• Cause: lightning
• Containment: 0%
• Personnel: 60    
• Start Date: August 28, 2024
• Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
• Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral

Smoke: Smoke from the West Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. As temperatures increase the volume of smoke may increase due to the drying and ignition of available fuels. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.

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The West Fire is a lightning-caused wildfire that is currently burning four miles northeast of Pine, Arizona. The fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy with the goal of reintroducing fire into a fire dependent ecosystem. The intended result of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions and restore ecological balance. This will decrease unnaturally high accumulations of fuels and the potential for future fires to burn with unnaturally high severity in support of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

Operations: Firefighter efforts will continue to evaluate and improve firelines with a focus on the protection of values at risk (VAR). Values at risk include the private lands and the communities of Camp Geronimo, Geronimo Estates, Bray Creek Ranch and Pine. Infrastructure values at risk include powerlines, Coconino Forest Service Road (FSR) 300, Coconino FSR 218, State Route 87 and Tonto FSR 64. Natural and cultural resource VARs include range infrastructure, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, recreation, and other environmental and social values.

Weather: Today, a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms are forecasted for the afternoon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. East winds 5 to 7 mph becoming southeast in the morning.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 59 degrees. Light east wind.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.

Fire details:

• Size: 10 acres
• Cause: Lightning
• Containment: 0%
• Total personnel: 20
• Start Date: August 28, 2024
• Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
• Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral

Smoke: Smoke from the West Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.