Single Publication

September 28, 2024

Size: 15,074 acres                              Start Date: August 28, 2024
Cause: Lightning                               Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
Containment: 65%                         Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral
Total personnel: 158

Operations:  Yesterday, Gila County Division of Emergency Management lowered evacuation levels around the fire to READY status, meaning be aware of hazards and have a plan in the event of an evacuation order.  Crews monitored fire burning in the interior, naturally cleaning up remaining fuel on the ground.  Work to return fire equipment and supplies from the line continues and is expected to be complete by September 29. Fire managers met with the Burned Area Emergency Response team members to begin the work of preparing for possible erosion and needed repairs to the fire area.  Today, crews will continue to monitor the fire and check for containment; no further ignitions are expected to occur.  There will be smoke settling in lower areas overnight with expected light winds over the weekend. 

Weather:  Today, sunny with haze and smoke in the afternoon, with high temperatures of 89 degrees. Winds SE 5 mph, 0% chance of precipitation, with humidity in the 16% range.  Tonight, clear with haze, low around 58 degrees, winds E 5 mph

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always a priority. Please remember to respect closure areas and be cautious when driving near fire equipment on the roads. 

Smoke: Smoke from the West fire may be visible as interior fuel continues to dry and burn, decreasing as the week wears on. Expect concentrations in low-lying areas near the fire perimeter in the mornings. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued a closure for land surrounding the West fire.  This includes the Pine Trailhead.  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/aztnf-2024-west-fire-tnf/us-forest-service-closure-order-for-west-fire-09-04-2024

Evacuations:  Pine residents on the east side of SR 87 and east of North Pine Creek Canyon Road are in READY status. Geronimo Estates residents near the West Fire are in READY status.  For information on evacuation status, visit https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=9bf2ca222ee74f8697bc670ae9c2531a  To receive emergency notifications from Gila County, visit https://gilacountyaz.genasys.com/portal/en

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto