Topological map of Kirkland Fire
A decrease in overall fire activity helped crews make progress on the Kirkland Fire. As of Wednesday, the fire is 70% contained and remains at 913 acres. The fire has stayed within its footprint over the last few days with minimal activity along the west and northwest flanks. Crews are actively engaged on that side of the fire working to establish containment line where it’s safe to do so. Some areas along Kingsbury Mountain and near Sadies Peak are inaccessible to resources and must wait for the fire to move into flatter ground before they can engage. Across the fire’s perimeter resources continue with cold trailing and mop up operations. Engines are maintaining a presence and patrolling around the fire checking for any visible smokes.
On Thursday, the incident will transition from a Type 3 to a Type 4, a lower complexity incident. Some resources are being released to support any new starts in the area as well as ongoing incidents.
Hot and dry conditions continue to linger across the fire area and continue to spur activity on the fire in the afternoon as temperatures warm up. Afternoon wind gusts up to 30 mph are forecast over the area. Minimum relative humidity levels remain in the single digits with poor overnight recoveries.
The Kirkland Fire started Friday, August 1, approximately 3:15 pm, 2 miles northeast of Hillside in Yavapai County. The wind-driven fire pushed to the northeast through grass and brush, toward the community of Yava, throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
