Big Idea

• The #Constellation Fire has grown to 11,252 acres
• The #Constellation Fire is now 30% contained in the Northwest portion of the fire
• The number of personnel is up to 130, including air support
• New road closures are in place: Castle Hot Springs Road; Constellation Rd @ Scenic Loop
• There is an app for the AZ Department of Forestry and Fire Management

Although progress has been made, the Constellation Fire continues to spread, fueled by storm activity and winds.

Location: 9 miles NE of Wickenburg, within Wickenburg Mountains                                               

Start Date: Thursday, 8/20/20 

Size: 11,252 acres                                                                                                                                 

Cause: Lightning Strike 

Containment: 30% 

Wickenburg, AZ (8/23/2020) – Firefighters assigned to the Constellation Fire are making progress despite a constant battle with outflow winds that continue to increase fire activity and spread. The fire has grown to 11,252 acres, but is now 30% contained. Additional fire growth is expected over the next few days due to high winds associated with evening storms and firing operations being conducted by crews. 

The potential for increased fire behavior due to outflow winds means the fire may make multiple runs in different directions throughout operational periods. Today, fuels burned actively with prevailing winds pushing the fire to the northeast. 

Late afternoon storms continue to create extreme fire behavior caused by outflow winds spreading the fire to the south, southwest, and west. 

New evacuation orders are in place for five residences within the vicinity of the fire.

Incident objectives include: protecting and minimizing fire threats and impacts to the town of Wickenburg, the Williams Ranch, active mining claims, and critical infrastructure. 

Firefighters continue to provide structure protection by utilizing thinning and firing operations to burn out fuels around the threatened areas. 

Firing operations is a tactic used to control the fire’s spread and reduce the fire’s intensity in an effort to slow its forward movement. 

Due to public and firefighter safety, area road closures are in place to include: 

• Castle Hot Springs Road closed to thru traffic into Castle Creek by the county camp 
• Constellation Road at the Scenic Loop-area 

Additional resources arrived on the fire Sunday, including a second hand crew and engines. 

The fire continues to burn northeast of the town of Wickenburg within the Wickenburg Mountains. 

One hundred and thirty personnel are assigned to the Constellation Fire, including the Payson Hotshots off the Tonto National Forest and Arizona Forestry’s Phoenix Crew, a Type 2 IA hand crew. Other resources include, engines, water tenders, overhead, and a helicopter.

Fire restrictions remain in effect throughout Arizona on both state and federal lands, including in Yavapai County. 

Know before you go and check firerestrictions.us. 

Additional Fire Information 

https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go 

https://twitter.com/azstateforestry 

https://www.facebook.com/arizonastateforestry 

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7034/

Download the free Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management phone app by going to the iTunes or Google Play stores.