Single Publication

BAER Team arrives to assess soil burn severity as containment increases.
Horton Fire Update: January 15, 2025

Acres: 8,346 Containment: 89% Start Date: December 14, 2024
Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona Cause: Under Investigation

Personnel: 119 Fuels: Timber, chaparral Resources: 1 crew | 5 engines | 1 helicopter | 1 UAS | 1 bulldozer | 1 water tender 

Highlights: The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has arrived and will begin to assess the burn severity of the soil. This specialized team evaluates recently burned areas for damage caused by the fire and implements emergency treatments as necessary to protect life, property, and natural resources. Containment increased as the crews strengthened and completed containment lines along the majority of the SR-260 corridor. Significant amounts of repair work have been completed in the northeastern portion of the fire area. 

Operations: The SR-260 corridor will be monitored and patrolled, particularly in the area that remains uncontained. As work continues along SR-260 travelers are encouraged to be mindful of fire traffic throughout the day. Crews will continue patrolling the perimeter and working on suppression repair throughout all areas. Forest Service Road 284 is being repaired and improved using heavy equipment. 

Temporary Flight Restriction: (TFR 5/1983) remains in place for the Horton Fire through January 31. Intruding the flight restriction area puts operations and fire fighter safety, both in the air and on the ground, at risk. More information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_5_1983.html.

Weather: Mostly sunny with temperatures averaging in the mid-40s and light to moderate winds out of the Northeast. 

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible as pockets of vegetation burn well within the interior of the fire footprint. For more information visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/.

Forest Orders: As of January 13, 2025, the forest closure order was revised and reduced to reflect current conditions. Forest Order 03-12-00-25-02 is in place to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire as well as protecting firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. To see the updates please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

Evacuations: As of January 10, 2025, all communities returned to the READY evacuation status. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while firefighters continue their work. Visit https://www.facebook.com/GCPHCS/ for more information on evacuation notifications. 

Road Closures: For roadway status and conditions visit AZ Department of Transportation at https://www.az511.com.