[Editor’s Note: This article has been compiled from a variety of sources such as the Forest Service updates, InciWeb, and Facebook.]
Racetrack Fire Update
Location: North of Highway 169, south of Crater Mountain near the community of Cherry
Start Date: July 21, 2023
Size: 405 acres
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 20%
Resources: 1 Type-1 Crew, 7 Type-2 Crews, 4 Engines, 1 Dozer and additional support personnel.
Fire behavior: Moderate fire behavior
Types of vegetation in the area (aka fuels): Grass, Brush
Fire activity declined Monday over the Racetrack Fire increasing containment to 20%. Although area thunderstorms to date have not supplied significant rain on the fire, they have been a daily event in the surrounding area and have increased humidity levels. The effect has been diminished fire activity as lighter fuels absorb moisture associated with higher humidity and quickly becoming less flammable and unavailable to ignite larger fuels. Unburned heavy fuels in the interior of the Racetrack Fire continue to burn; some smoke may be visible as these fuels burn. Resources will continue working on reinforcing the control line on the northern perimeter.
Fire managers are crediting the slowing of forward progression into the community of Cherry to previous prescribed fire prepping where firefighters put in control lines strategically located south of Cherry. This gave firefighters the upper hand in stopping the fire from moving into the community.
From the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office: The more positive news for the day regarding the Racetrack Fire is that we rolled back the GO message to SET status for the Community of Cherry and Federal Mine Rd Area. This means the area is no longer under mandatory evacuation allowing residents and emergency personnel (only) back into the area.
Grapevine Fire Update
Location: Mingus Mountain, Verde Ranger District (T14N, R2E, SEC 4), Approximately 10 miles east of Prescott Valley; 2 miles south of Mingus Spring Ranch
Start Date: July 21, 2023
Size: Approximately 998 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Brush, Timber and Short Grass
Resources: 1 Type 1 Crew, 5 Type 2 Crews, 12 Engines, 1 Dozer, 2 Helicopters and additional support personnel
Number of Personnel Assigned: 236
Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire along the western perimeter control lines. Crews continue hand prep that includes removing of vegetation and exposing bare ground along Forest Road 132 and the perimeter of the 4H Camp. Construction of containment features utilizing ground resources and heavy equipment; scout the eastern side of the fire for potential control lines with highest probability of success to contain the fire. Utilize gained knowledge of fire conditions, weather over the fire area and current fire behavior to ensure safety of firefighters. Due to terrain and limited access; firefighters continue to identify hazards as they begin to safely suppress the fire.
Smoke: Smoke may be visible from multiple locations including Prescott Valley, Dewey, Prescott and along Highway 169.
For fire information please call (928)925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.
YCSO: The evacuation of White Horse Ranch is still in effect.
When it comes to evacuations and how the decision is made to evacuate an area, it’s a comprehensive and thoughtful process with close and constant communication between fire teams and YCSO. We take evacuations very seriously and many factors come into play most importantly the safety of the community and emergency responders. We ask, that when you receive an emergency notification of a Go status or a knock on your door from YCSO to evacuate, you recognize that you should leave for your safety and the safety of the firefighters. With that said, don’t forget to register for the Yavapai County Emergency Notification System, Everbridge here: Yavapai County Emergency Notification – Sign Up (everbridge.net) to receive notifications of an incident you may be affected by in your area.
-Accounts to follow for this and future wildfires and incidents:
Yavapai County Emergency Management View the Yavapai County Emergency Information Hub here: https://bit.ly/3rGqmO2
-Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office – https://www.YCSOAz.gov for Evacuation information
-U.S. Forest Service – Prescott National Forest for Detailed Fire information, including fire behavior, direction, and containment.
