February 12, 2025 3:43 am
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Wildfire Update – Rock Butte Fires & Rafael Fire

The six 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 6/20, 2000]:

Rock Butte Fires: 

  • Red Hat Fire – 75 acres  
  • Limestone Fire – 43 acres 
  • Spring Fire – 425 acres 
  • Rock Butte Fire – 144 acres 
  • Silent Fire – 45 acre

Location: North of Paulden, AZ and west of HWY 89

Rafael Fire – 20,000 acres 

Location: 4 miles North of Perkinsville, AZ and east of HWY 89

Percent Containment: 0% 

Cause: Lightning 

High winds and dry conditions challenge firefighters

Firefighters were challenged by high winds and continued dry conditions throughout the day yesterday.  The Spring Fire, part of the Rock Butte Fires, was driven by winds and expanded to over 400 acres. Today (6/21)  fire crews will be working on developing future fire tactical options. The other four smaller fires under the Rock Butte Fires showed minimal to no new changes and will have crews on the ground through the day yesterday. 

The Rafael Fire which started as 4 small fires after last week’s lightning storm, east of Highway 89 and north of Perkinsville, became one large fire after yesterday’s winds and extreme conditions. The Rafael Fire grew from 400 acres to over 18,000 acres yesterday afternoon engulfing the other adjacent smaller fires. The Rafael Fire now involves the Prescott, Kaibab, and Coconino National Forests and spans the Yavapai/Coconino County line. 

Due to the complexity of the Rafael Fire, a Type 1 team has been ordered and will arrive later this week to take over management of the Rafael Fire. Meanwhile the Arizona Central West Zone Team will continue to work with all entities on these fires. The current Incident Management Team is also in contact and coordination with emergency management personnel from both Yavapai and Coconino counties.  

EVACUATIONS: Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office have placed the community of Paulden, AZ in a “SET” Status.  The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office have issued a “GO!” notice for Sycamore Canyon and areas SOUTH of Forest Service Road 535 off Forest Service Road 231 and Garland Prairie is reminded to be in READY mode. 

Due to the Rafael Fire, all areas south of 1-40, west of I-17, including University Heights, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Pine Dell, and Woody Mountain Road are now in SET status.  Begin preparing for possible GO order to EVACUATE.  THIS IS NOT AN EVAC NOTIFICATION.

CLOSURES: There is currently a closure order for the area surrounding the Rock Butte Fires west of Highway 89. Fire managers are working on developing a closure area for the Rafael Fire Area.  

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Prescott, Kaibab and Coconino NFs, and around Arizona, visit: WildlandFire.az.gov/fire-restrictions  

Fire Information Rock Butte Fires & Rafael:

602-345-0246  Hours: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Email for Rock Butte Fires & Rafael: 2021.RockButte@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

Prescott NF Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrescottNF

Prescott NF Twitter: twitter.com/PrescottNF  [Check Inciweb daily for changes in contact information.]

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