The ongoing efforts to contain the wildfires known as the West and Preacher Fires in Arizona's Tonto National Forest have seen some progress, with firefighter crews diligently managing the blazes. According to the latest update from the U.S. Forest Service, the West Fire, which started on August 28, has now consumed 12,412 acres and is 44% contained. The fire, located in Payson Ranger District, AZ, has been challenging firefighting personnel due to the dense vegetation, including Ponderosa Pine, Mixed Conifer, and Chaparral.
Yesterday, actions on the West Fire included crews igniting a hand line on the northwest corner, and the use of a helicopter to establish fire in the tops of drainages above East Pine for better fire behavior. Meanwhile, aerial resources assisted in igniting areas along Control Road west of Geronimo Estates, allowing firefighters to manage internal parts of the perimeter. Moreover, mopping up, the removal of hazardous dead trees, and road repair operations were conducted across other areas of the fire zone.
Focusing on the containment strategy, today's operations will see crews progressing along Control Road, igniting towards State Route 87. A significant challenge lies east of Pine, where firefighters aim to let the fire back down from the high slopes and then carry out ignition along the upper thinned forest, creating a buffer zone. These areas, previously thinned out, are expected to be less likely to carry intense fire. Fire engines will also continue their patrol on the east side, addressing hotspots around Camp Geronimo.
The Preacher Fire, which has charred 3,167 acres, is in a better state than its counterpart, with a 90% containment level mainly due to lightning being the cause of the fire. A crew of 512 personnel has been scaled back as the fire operation transitions into patrol status. Engines now patrol periodically, on the lookout for any resurgence of heat and smoke in the area. "A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the West fire area, which includes uncrewed aircraft systems or drones," reminds the U.S. Forest Service, underlining the risk that unauthorized drone flights could pose to both firefighter safety and the effectiveness of suppression efforts.
The weather forecast, turning warmer and drier in the coming days, expects temperatures in the upper 70s to upper 80s, with relative humidity dropping significantly, potentially affecting fire behavior. Light winds are anticipated to shift from northwest to west-southwest. As part of safety measures, the Tonto National Forest has enacted a closure surrounding the West Fire, such as at Pine Trailhead. Evacuation levels for Pine residents and individuals near Geronimo Estates affected by the fires can be tracked via an interactive map provided by Gila County at their emergency notifications website. Furthermore, as smoke from the ignitions may settle in valleys overnight, residents are advised to keep windows closed to minimize impacts and consult health professionals for managing conditions in smoky conditions. More details on wildfire smoke preparation are available on the AirNow website.
