Location: Pine Mountain Wilderness-Verde Ranger District (T11N, R5E, SEC 35)
Start Date: 07-12-20
Size: 1,747
Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: lightning
Vegetation: Grass, Brush, and Ponderosa Pine
Summary: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) continued to be beneficial on the Pine Fire gathering information and providing fire managers with accurate data. The fire has moved to the North and East making it onto the Verde Rim. On the Western flank the fire remains active within Bishop and Sycamore Creeks. The spread of the fire is dependent on readily available fuels and continues to consume an accumulation of dead and down woody material. Fire managers continue to monitor the fires progression with the use of the UAS and Air Attack (aerial observer).
Smoke can be visible as thunderstorms move in over the area and outflow winds will increase smoke production. Smoke impacts are possible over the following areas; Interstate-17, East Verde River, Camp Verde, Dugas, and Pine/Strawberry areas.
Due to the fire’s remote location and very few values at risk, along with predicted moisture; fire managers are engaging the fire with a monitor strategy to limit the exposure to ground and aerial firefighting resources. The remote location would present challenges to extract an injured firefighter if an incident occurred.
Resources: 1-Air Attack, 1-Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
Weather: Partly Cloudy with temperatures ranging for 95-105, relative humidity 10-15%, winds 5-10 MPH out of the West, forecasted thunderstorms imply strong gusty and erratic winds. There will be a 10 % chance of precipitation.
Closures: All trails leading into the Pine Mountain Wilderness have been closed for public
safety.