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Arizona Wildfires update

Telegraph Fire

Current as of 6/11/2021, 10:18:28 PM
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Human-under Investigation
Date of Origin Friday June 04th, 2021 approx. 01:30 PM
Location One and a half miles southeast of Superior
Incident Commander Bales Type 1 SWIMT2
20 structures burned
Current Situation
Total Personnel 965
Size 86,529 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 45%
Estimated Containment Date Sunday June 20th, 2021 approx. 12:00 PM

FOR CURRENT EVACUATION INFORMATION, residents are advised to monitor Facebook pages for Pinal County Sheriff’s Office: https://www.facebook.com/PinalCountySO and Gila County Health and Emergency Management: https://www.facebook.com/gilacohealthem Notifications can change rapidly. Residents in areas affected by the fire should remain vigilant and be prepared to evacuate. Evacuation notifications are issued when danger is imminent and life threatening.

Highway 60 is now open.  Evacuation status for the town of Superior and the area of Battle Axe has been returned to “Ready.” Evacuation status for the towns of Miami and Central Heights has been returned to “Set.” The Tonto National Forest has initiated Stage 2 Fire Restrictions for the entire forest, effective 8 a.m. on June 11. All State Land is under Stage 2 restrictions effective 8 a.m. on June 11.

Mescal Fire

The Mescal Fire is at 82% containment.

Crews continue to gain containment; Available for new starts
Acres: 72,250 acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 77%
Total personnel: 345
Start Date: Monday, June 1, 2021
Location: 12 mi SE of Globe, AZ; 7 mi NE of Dripping Springs, AZ
Fuels: Desert Brush, Oak, and grass

The Mescal Fire has not grown, remaining at 72,250 acres. Fire activity decreased, and containment increased, which has now reached 77% containment. Communities on the east side of the Mescal Fire have been returned to “READY” status. The following communities are in “SET” status, due to the Telegraph Fire: El Capitan (east and west of Highway 77), Beverly Hills Area, and Skill Center.

Fire Update: Overall, fire activity continues to decline, while fire potential is still extremely high. Firefighters are patrolling and reinforcing firelines around the perimeter and remain ready in case of any new starts. Firefighters have been successful at reinforcing line along the North, East, and South perimeters and are now focused on strengthening defenses along the fire’s western edge.We continue to conduct routine infrared flights over the burned area in the evening, which reveal areas of heat that indicate fire activity. Last night’s flight indicates that the heat and fire activity is located inside the fire and not a threat to firelines. Fire activity and hot spots are decreasing as containment increases. Smoke may still be visible and firefighters, supported by air resources, are working to suppress any heat near the firelines or any new starts.

Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. Firefighters are also working to protect the communities of San Carlos, Peridot, El Capitan, Drippings Springs, Soda Canyon, Skill Center and Beverly Hills; Mescal and T11 ranches, the powerline supplying San Carlos and Peridot, as well as historic and cultural sites within the fire area.

Slate Fire

The Slate Fire, located 23 miles northwest of Flagstaff along both the east and west sides of Highway 180, is now at 6,248 acres and 17 percent containment.

Windy and active wildfire conditions, along with burnout operations, are the main factors in the growth of the fire, which is still moving in a northeastern direction.

Crews plan to spend Friday conducting firing operations on the west side of Slate Mountain to bring the fire out to control lines. The firing operations are expected to last 24 to 48 hours, and will allow crews to hold control lines on the west side of Slate Mountain and then shift remaining resources to the east side of the fire. Crews also plan to utilize natural fuel breaks and allow the fire to burn thicker fuels.

Highway 180 remains closed between mileposts 235 and 248 due to smoke impact and crew work in the area. The Arizona Department of Transportation will install a new guardrail, and crews will need to remove potentially hazardous dead trees alongside the road before the stretch of 180 can be reopened. ADOT estimates the earliest the highway could open is Sunday, but that is still to be determined.

Crews continue to secure Cedar Ranch and several archaeological sites in the area. Recreation sites in the area remain closed, including the Red Mountain and Slate Mountain trailheads, Kendrick Cabin and a portion of the Arizona Trail from Kelly Tank (mile 603.3) to Cedar Ranch (mile 616.2).

About 140 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, including three Hotshot crews, two hand crews, seven engines, two water tenders, two dozers, one helicopter and miscellaneous overhead.

The fire was called in by a Coconino County Sheriff’s Officer at 3 a.m., and the cause is still under investigation. Motorists should avoid Highway 180 north of Kendrick Park, and visitors to the Grand Canyon National Park should use Highway 64 from Williams to access the entrance to the Park..

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