Racetrack Fire (updated 7/28)
Location: North of Highway 169, south of Crater Mountain near the community of Cherry
Start Date: July 23, 2023
Size: 405 acres
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 60%
Resources: 1 Type-1 Crew, 2 Type-2 Crews, 4 Engines, 1 Dozer and additional support personnel.
Fire behavior: Low fire behavior
Types of vegetation in the area (aka fuels): Grass, Brush
Southwest Area Type 4 Team led by Incident Commander Andrew Giralt, assumed command of the Racetrack fire on Friday morning, July 28, 2023. Firefighters have made progress strengthening and improving the perimeter of the Racetrack Fire, preventing growth during afternoon thunderstorms. Crews and heavy equipment will continue to patrol the fire, mop up remaining hot spots near control lines, repair and rehabilitate areas where suppression actions were taken, and clear hazardous snags and debris. in and around the fire area. Light smoke may be visible at times, as interior fuels continue to burn and smolder.
Over the next few days, the Incident Management Team will begin to release resources. This process is known as right-sizing the organization. Crews will be released from the fire as objectives are met and made available to assist with other wildfires in the southwest. Remaining resources will patrol and hold the fire perimeter to ensure the fire remains within the planning area.
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.
Grapevine Fire Update (July 28, 2023)
Photo: Grapevine fire on July 21, 2023
Location: Mingus Mountain, Verde Ranger District, approximately 10 miles east of Prescott Valley; 2 miles south of Mingus Spring Ranch
Start Date: July 21, 2023
Size: Approximately 1049 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Brush, Timber and Short Grass
Resources: 3 Type 1 Crews, 5 Type 2 Crews, 16 Engines, 2 Dozers, 4 Helicopters and additional support personnel
Number of Personnel Assigned: 359
Fire crews will be continuing the process of monitoring the western side of the fire while holding and improving existing control lines with fire equipment, including dozers and helicopters, to protect the repopulated communities. Construction of barrier lines between the fire and properties will be constructed utilizing ground crew resources and heavy equipment. Crews will be conducting assessments on the eastern side of the fire for potential control line construction. Due to terrain and limited access; firefighters continue to identify hazards as they begin to safely suppress the fire.
Even without visible smoke there exists a potential of fire activity due to the heavy unburned fuels inside the interior of the Grapevine Fire. Flames could be pushed outside of the interior by drying conditions and monsoon winds.
Smoke: Smoke may be visible from multiple locations including Prescott Valley, Dewey, Prescott and along Highway 169.
Closures: Prescott National Forest Roads along the route beginning at the junction of FR104 and FR143 and extending ¼ mile on either side of FR413 to junction of FR132 then along FR132 to the junction of County Rd 75, Cherry Creek Road.
Thursday, a repopulation of the Whitehorse community was conducted by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office due to the reduced threat of fire burning towards the area. Residents will remain in SET Status.
For current evacuation information contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260 or follow them at https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff.
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.
