News & Alerts

"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.

Recently there have been multiple fires associated with the use of propane weed burners.  Please be aware that the use of propane weed burners around structures and in residential areas goes against the fire code.  

For More Information:  Please contact your local fire department or fire district.  

We live in the age of the Mega Fire.  Fires are bigger and more destructive than any other era in modern history.

Catastrophic wildfire impacts many aspects of life in Arizona: from the quality and sustainability of our water supplies to the safety and livelihood of people who live in mountain towns on the edge of our forests.

Join the National Forest Foundation for a screening of the award-winning short film Fire & Water: Restoring Arizona's Forests, produced by the Salt River Project and narrated by Emmy Award-winner Peter Coyote. 

Following the film, discover what a coalition of Arizona organizations, from federal agencies to nonprofits and private businesses, are doing to restore our landscape and protect our community, our forests, and our water from catastrophic fire.  Together, we can make a difference!

When: Thursday, June 13 6:00-8:00pm

Where: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Davis Learning Center (DLC), 3700 Willow Creek Rd., Prescott, AZ

Seating is first come, first served.

Panelists: Dennis Light-Prescott Fire Chief, Lori Singleton-President and CEO, Arizona Forward and Dale Dieter-Forest Supervisor, Prescott National Forest

Moderated by the National Forest Foundation.

 

Information is coming from the Blue Ridge Ranger District. 

This is a Type III Incident and the fire size is reported at 2,273 acres.

Smoke impacts into the Verde Valley.

Burn out operations will be ongoing for the next week.

Caution in the Clint's Well area remain as smoke is impacting sight distance.

Please be aware that tree cutting is happening along Route 87.

For more information go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6363/