News & Alerts

Prescott National Forest has confirmed today (10/17/19) that there will be a RX burn just south of Groom Creek.  Total area is 250 acres. 

For more information:

Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/)

Twitter (http://twitter.com/PrescottNF?lang-en)

Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/

Twitter: @Prescott NF

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/

Fire Information: (928) 925-1111

Local Ranger Station: Bradshaw RD (928) 443-8000

 

October 2, 2019-Fire managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to take advantage of favorable weather conditions and have planned several fuel treatments October 4th through October 30th. All burning will be dependent on current and expected weather conditions. Fire managers will utilize tactics to keep smoke impacts as minimal as possible.  These may include canceling approved burns when conditions aren't favorable, timing daytime ignitions to allow the majority of smoke to disperse prior to settling overnight, and burning larger sections at a time when conditions are favorable to reduce the overall number of days smoke is in the area.

79/80: Broadcast burn unit: Approximately 662 acres located south of Groom Creek off Senator Hwy (FS RD. 52). Fire managers may be utilizing aerial ignition devices in addition to ground ignitions on this prescribed burn.

Waterfalls: Broadcast burn unit. Approximately 644 acres located south of Groom Creek off Wolf Creek Rd. (County Rd. 101). Fire managers may be utilizing aerial ignition devices in addition to ground ignitions on this prescribed burn.

High Valley Fuel Break Piles: Pile burn unit. Approximately 77 acres located south west of Prescott in between Copper Basin Rd. (County Rd. 64) and White Spar Rd. (Hwy. 89).

Aspen Creek Piles: Pile burn unit. Approximately 152 acres located south west of Prescott near Copper Basin Rd. (County Rd. 64) and Thumb Butte Loop Rd. (FS Rd. 373 junction.

Lynx Creek Piles: Pile burn unit. Approximately 509 acres located south east of Prescott off Walker Rd. (County Rd. 57).

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of all prescribed burn units as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area. Drivers should be prepared for short delays adjacent to operations along roads.

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. These burns will mimic natural fires by reducing hazardous fuels accumulations, and reintroduce fire into a fire dependent system; recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.

All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather forecasts, fuels moisture levels and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as best as possible and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).

Messages will be posted to social media when managed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:

• Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/)
• Twitter (http://twitter.com/PrescottNF?lang=en)

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
• Twitter: @Prescott NF
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Fire Information: (928) 925-1111
• Local Ranger Station: Bradshaw RD (928) 443-8000

 

 

 

 

From the Prescott National Forest, September 23, 2019-Firefighters responded to a smoke report at 2:15pm approximately 8 miles south of Prescott, near Lookout Mountain (T12N, R2W, S16). The 166 acre Johnson Fire is burning in brush, pinyon and some timber. Firefighters and air attack are on scene assessing fuel conditions and values at risk. Smoke will be visible from Prescott and other local communities.  Fire is still under investigation as to why it started. 66% contained.

Moderate to heavy rain considerably cooled the remaining heat in denser fuels yesterday, allowing firefighters to pivot away from full suppression efforts to a monitor status. Weather concerns, road conditions and fire weakened tree hazards will keep crews outside the fire perimeter throughout today as heat and fire activity continue to diminish.  Fire crews and resources are continuing to be released, as weather conditions continue to be favorable.

Campgrounds: Upper Wolf Creek Group Campground and all designated dispersed camping sites in the southern portion of the Prescott Basin have been reopened as of September 27, 2019.  Lower Wolf Creek Campground will remain closed for the season.

Current Resources: 2-Engines, 1 Crew, 1 Helicopter, and miscellaneous medical resources and overhead personnel.  

In the interest of safety, the public is asked to not travel in the vicinity of Ponderosa Park, Lower Wolf Creek, and the community of Potato Patch as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be traveling in the area.  Avoiding these areas will allow firefighters to work and travel safely during suppression operations.

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Fire Information: (928) 925-1111
• Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
• Twitter: @PrescottNF
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Local Ranger Station: Bradshaw Ranger District (928) 443-8000

 

"Prescott, AZ-September 19, 2019. The Surprise Fire (T14N, R3W, S11) is burning in the Granite Basin Recreation Area 7 miles north and east of Prescott. Fire crews are currently prepping pre-existing handlines, natural features, and road systems as containment lines. After taking into consideration the fire's location, the fuels it is burning in and current and predicted weather firefighters will begin burning operations along those containment features allowing it to burn and consume dense forest fuels. the fire poses no danger or threat to any residents or structures, but smoke will be visible to motorists traveling in the area and residents of Prescott.

the following closures are in place for public and firefighter safety. Yavapai Campground will be closed until next Tuesday, September 24, 2019; along with Trail #349, Balancing Rock Trail and Trail #350, Surprise Spring Trail.

Granite Basin Road, Granite Basin Lake, Day-Use Areas and trails in the Granite Basin Recreation Area will remain open, however forest visitors should expect delays due to firefighters working on the roadway and smoke. Forest Officials ask visitors to consider using alternative locations to recreate over the weekend to avoid impacts from smoke. Please call the Bradshaw Ranger District at (928) 443-8000 for more information.

In addition to the Surprise Fire, Prescott National Forest firefighters have been busy responding to an additional seven lightning caused fires as a result from the monsoonal thunderstorms that crossed the Prescott National Forest. Varying in size, those fires are all currently contained, in monitor status or firefighters are on scene.

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Fire Information (928) 925-1111
• Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
• Twitter: @Prescott NF
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Local Ranger Stations: Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 443-8000; Chino Valley Ranger
• District (928) 777-2200; Verde Ranger District (928) 567-4121"                                                                                

                                                                                        

                                                                          

Two fires are burning in Coconino County south and just west of Camp Navajo, the Saber Fire and Whiskey Fire.  Due to decreased temperatures and light winds, we are seeing residual smoke impacts in the valleys and basins of Yavapai County.  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6580/

Prescott National Forest confirmed that this is not from the Sheridan Fire.

For more information please visit Prescott National Forest at http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/

Smoke from the Sheridan Fire, which is burning approximately 23 miles NW of Prescott, may be visible throughout Yavapai County.  Currently no communities have been identified as at risk.

Prescott, AZ-The fire area closure order that is in effect over the Sheridan Fire area is extremely important for firefighters and public safety. Firefighters and forest officials have been working closely with area permittees for access as needed. The closure area includes Camp Wood Road and the entire fire area south of Walnut Creek Road. The Walnut Creek Road is now open. Visitors and residents near the closure area should be alert for fire vehicles and equipment. A map and detailed description of the closure area are available on Inciweb and on the Prescott National Forest website. 

Sheridan Fire Overview-

Location-23 miles NW of Prescott, AZ on the Chino Valley District (T16N, R6W, S16)

Start Date: August 5, 2019

Size: 21,510 acres

Percent Contained: 60%

Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: Pinyon-Juniper, Grass and Brush

Resources: Approx. 60 personnel including: 3-Engines, 1-Crew and 1-Helicopter

Current Situation: "A new fire area closure has been implemented that reduces the size of the previous fire area closure order. Public traveling roads in the vicinity of the fire area should remain vigilant for fire crews and equipment. Firefighters are still working hot spots, conducting rehabilitation efforts and removing hazardous, fire-weakened trees in the fire area.

Closure: Forest officials have re-evaluated and reduced the Sheridan Fire area closure. County Road 68 (Camp Wood Road) is now open. All areas north of County Road 68 (Camp Wood Road) are open with the exception of a small area adjacent to Forest Service Roads 95 and 9821B.  The area south of County Road 68 (Camp Wood Road) remain closed. The current closure area map and detailed description are available on Inciweb and on the Prescott National Forest website." 

For the most up to date information, please visit these credible sources:

Prescott National Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/

Twitter: @ PrescottNF

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/

Arizona Fire Restrictions: https://www.firerestrictions.us/az/

Fire Information: (928) 925-1111

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6522/

For current information on fire and shooting restrictions please visit:  www.wildlandfire.AZ.gov or www.firerestrictions.us or call 1-877-864-6985.  You can also call the Bureau of Land Management-Arizona at 1-602-417-9241 and visit: www.blm.gov.

Origin Location: 16 Miles South of Prescott, AZ; Jurisdiction Prescott National Forest.

The Cellar Fire began on July 14, 2019 from a lightning strike.  Incident Commander: Southwest Area Incident Management Team, Incident Commander is Alan Sinclair

Cellar Fire-July 31, 2019 Morning Update:

Significant Events: Minimal fire behavior over the majority of the fire, with small hot areas interior to line to Blind Indian Creek drainage.

Acres: 7,512 acres; Percent Containment: 100%

Fuels:  Upper elevation: Ponderosa pine.  Lower elevation: Brush, Grass, and Chaparral.

For information on the Code Red alerts issued, you can visit the Sheriff's Office Facebook page for updates or call (928) 771-3321.  Please remember to access vetted resources.  A list of some good resources are located below.

For more information and updates please view the following websites:

Daily video updates are being posted on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/

Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/

Twitter: @PrescottNF

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/

Arizona Fire Restrictions: https://www.firerestrictions.us/az/

Important Phone Numbers:

Phone Bank: 928-442-5103

Sheriff's Office: 928-771-3260

Forest Service: 928-925-1111

At approximately 11:35am, on July 4, 2019, reports of a fire burning in the grass and brush near Dewey were called in.  By 3:00pm, the fire was estimated at 150 acres.  Multiple agencies and resources are on scene.  Orme Road, South of Highway 169 is closed to the public.  Current information on this fire can be found on Yavapai County Emergency Management's Facebook, Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Facebook and Twitter, U.S. Forest Service-Prescott National Forest, and #ormefire, which can be searched through both Facebook and Twitter. 

As of 11:00 pm, 6/21/19, Arizona DOT reports I-17 has reopened in both directions to traffic.  Please be aware of heavy backup and residual smoke in the area. 

More information will be posted as it is received.