Big Idea
- The Rafael Fire has advanced into Sycamore Canyon
- It is on top of the Mogollon Rim in both Kaibab and Coconino National Forests
- The southwest corner fo the fire has not advanced west or south for the last two days
- The Rafael Fire is now under control of a Type 1 Management Team
- Read more...
The Type 1 Incident Management Team has assumed management of the Rafael Fire.
Acres: 36,000
Percent Containment: 0%
Date/Time Detected: Friday, 06/18/2021 at 1927 MST
Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 0
Number of Personnel: 199
Cause: Lightning
Origin/Location: 4 miles north of Perkinsville
The Rafael Fire has advanced into Sycamore Canyon and moved on top to the Mogollon Rim on both the Kaibab National Forest on Sycamore Point and Coconino National Forests near Casner Mountain. On the Prescott National Forest, the southwest corner of the fire has not advanced west or south for the last two days. Yesterday to the north on the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests, fire crews identified road systems to utilize as fire line to stop the spread north and westward towards identified values at risk. On the southeast portion of the fire in Sycamore Canyon and the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, crews are identifying fire line locations for direct and indirect suppression actions.
Personnel from the incoming Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2 shadowed members of the Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Team to transfer information and gain situational awareness of the Rafael fire. Type 1 Team 2 assumed management of the fire this morning at 6 a.m. Today, the fire is expected to move north in Sycamore Canyon near Dorsey Spring and east into Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness area, where vegetation and topography are in alignment. Fire fighters on the north end of the fire will continue with suppression efforts and prepare for future firing operations using road systems and natural features and will utilize aircraft to support these actions. In the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness area, fire crews will continue to scout for future suppression lines.
Evacuation status as of 6 a.m. June 24:
“GO” in Coconino County, areas around Sycamore Canyon and SOUTH of Forest Service Road 535 off FS 231. In Yavapai County, some rural ranches in the area of North FSR 525 and Bill Grey Road, West of Sedona.
“SET” – in Coconino County, all areas south of 1-40, west of I-17, to include University Heights, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Pine Dell, & Woody Mountain Road, Camp Navajo, South Garland Prairie, Pine Aire Estates and residents in between. In Yavapai County, Grey Mountain and Bear Mountain areas.
“READY” -none at this time. Notifications can change rapidly. Residents in areas affected by the fire should remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate. Evacuation notifications are issued when danger is imminent and life threatening.
Information about evacuation status can be found on the Coconino County Emergency Management’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/coconinoEM/ and at the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page at:https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/
Maps of evacuation status in Coconino County can be found at: Coconino County Situational Awareness Viewer (arcgis.com)
The Coconino National Forest has initiated a Forest Closure for the entire forest, effective 8 a.m. on June 23. Coconino National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)
The Kaibab National Forest has initiated a Forest Closure for the entire forest, effective 8 a.m. on June 23. Kaibab National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)
The Prescott National Forest will initiate a full Forest Closure effective Friday, June 25 at 8:00 a.m.. The forest will remain in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions until then, Prescott National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)
All State Land is under Stage 2 restrictions effective 8 a.m. on June 11.
Wildfire Update – Rock Butte Fires Fire
June 24, 2021
The five fires being managed by the Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management team are the following from north to south - all acreages are approximate and current as of 6/23, 20:00:
Rock Butte Fires:
- Red Hat Fire - 49 acres – 100% containment
- Limestone Fire - 33 acres – 100% containment
- Spring Fire - 567 acres – 42% containment
- Rock Butte Fire – 126 acres – 0% containment
- Silent Fire - 27 acre – 0% containment
Location: North of Paulden, AZ and west of HWY 89
RESOURCES:
110 Personnel
- 9 Engines
- 2 Crews
- 1 Dozer
- 1 Water tender
** Fire Information phone number ONLY for Rock Butte Fires: 928-925-1111.**
Weather changes bring good news for Fire Managers
Prescott, Ariz. [June 24, 2021] – The moisture and higher relative humidity subdued fire behavior on all 5 fires. Crews were able to get 100% containment on the Red Hat and Limestone Fires, and 42% containment on the Spring Fire. Crews will continue to patrol and monitor both the Silent and Rock Butte Fires. Interior fuels on the Spring Fire continue to burn and smoke may be visible.
Yesterday’s storms brought some much-needed relief for crews on the Rock Butte Fires. With considerable rain and lightning on the fire area, crews were brought off the line for their safety. This gave them a chance to regroup physically and mentally. This reprieve gave the crews the opportunity to recharge their stamina for both this assignment as well as the next assignment.
Management of the Rafael Fire has been transitioned to a Dave Bale’s Southwest Area Type I Incident Management Team 2 which will be based in Flagstaff.
NOTE NEW NUMBERs for the Rafael Fire: Public Number - 928-421-4579
Media Number - 928-421-4983
WEATHER: Cloudy throughout the day. Day time light winds gusting to 20 mph with a 40% chance of precipitation. Day time temps around 83, relative humidity 26% and showers and thunderstorms are expected midday with possible gusty erratic winds.
CLOSURES: The Kaibab , Coconino, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have implemented full Forest Closures. Tomorrow the Prescott National Forest will implement a Forest Closure. Also, on Friday, the Tonto National Forest will Implement a Stage 3 Forest Closure with some lakes, roads and recreation areas that will remain accessible.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in effect on the Prescott NF, until the full closure is implemented tomorrow.
For fire restriction information around Arizona, visit: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions
Fire Information Rock Butte Fires: 928-925-1111 Hours: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Email for Rock Butte Fires: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7556/
Prescott NF Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrescottNF
Prescott NF Twitter: twitter.com/PrescottNF
