Tucson, Ariz. (May 12, 2025) --- Due to severe and extreme drought conditions and an uptick in fire activity, Arizona State, federal agencies, and Tribal agencies representing southeast Arizona plan to implement Stage 2 fire restrictions. 

Effective Monday, May 12, 2025, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Bureau of Land Management Gila District, Coronado National Forest, Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Tumacácori National Historic Park, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, and Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge will implement campfire and smoking restrictions in southeastern Arizona. A burn moratorium also goes into effect Monday, May 12, on the Gila River Indian Community. The San Carlos Apache Tribe has been in Stage 2 restrictions since March.

Residents and visitors should check with the respective county and tribal governments for information on the implementation of fire bans across unincorporated county lands as well as within tribal jurisdictions. 

Beginning May 12, 2025, and until rescinded, the following are prohibited:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, elevated grill, or wood stove. This includes fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
• Discharging a firearm, including target shooting, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations.
• Mechanical and industrial prohibitions include:
  • Operating any internal combustion engine off designated roadways.
  • Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
  • Using an explosive.

Fireworks and exploding targets are never allowed on federal or state lands. Target shooting is prohibited year-round on National Park Service and state lands.

Violation of these restrictions is punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both. Violators may also be held personally responsible for reimbursement of fire suppression costs.

Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters possessing shut-off devices are allowed. When using a portable stove, ensure the area is clear of grass and other fine fuels. 

Cigarettes should never be thrown out the window of a vehicle. 

Never park a vehicle over dead grass; the catalytic converter can ignite the vegetation.

Fire conditions, as well as localized closures and restrictions, are subject to change. For a more detailed explanation concerning agency restrictions and fire information, please contact the nearest land management agency office. For more general information, visit https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions.

Summary: Fire activity moderated some overnight giving Sunday’s night shift the opportunity to reinforce existing control features in advance of Monday’s incoming critical fire weather. The night shift of engines and hotshot crews focused on the northern flank of the fire, as well as east of River Road where nearly one mile of containment line was established by firing operations the night before. Firefighters continue efforts to keep the fire from impacting railroad and utility infrastructure, homes, and agricultural fields. Today’s operational period includes a Red Flag Warning. With that, resources remain extra vigilant ensuring containment lines across the fire area are secure and will hold through the critical fire weather over the next few days. Some visible, interior smokes remain as the heavy amounts of salt cedar within the Gila River bed continue to smolder. With the anticipated fire weather, remaining unburned fuels inside the fire perimeter are anticipated to continue to burn resulting in areas of smoke. Line personnel will monitor closely. If needed, a Type 1 helicopter is available to provide bucket work to assist ground resources. More than 270 personnel are assigned to the incident, including hotshot and hand crews, engines, water tenders, a dozer and excavator, medical teams, and overhead. Heavy aircraft is also available if fire conditions warrant.  

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of eastern and southeastern Arizona today and tomorrow which includes Graham County and the Bryce Fire. Monday’s Red Flag Warning goes into effect from 12pm to 7pm. This critical fire weather includes low relative humidity levels and wind gusts up to 45 mph. Any fires that start under Red Flag conditions can spread rapidly. 

Also today, Stage 2 fire restrictions go into effect for southeastern Arizona on state, federal and some tribal lands. These restrictions include state, federal, and tribal lands within Graham County. Under Stage 2 restrictions, campfires, target shooting, and fireworks are not allowed. Target shooting and fireworks are never allowed on State Trust lands. 

SET, or pre-evacuation status remains in place for residents in the river corridor in the Fort Thomas area and for residents between Eden Road and Fort Thomas. Residents should stay alert of the weather and potentially fluid fire conditions. US 70 remains open, but travelers through the area should be aware of potential traffic delays or closures should conditions warrant. 

The human-caused fire started on Wednesday, May 7. On Friday morning, high winds spotted the fire over a 25-30’ containment line on the north end. Those winds, coupled with the vegetation type, fueled the fire fanning it out to the north and northeast. Multiple power and gas lines were damaged in the fire. At this time, there are no reports of damaged or destroyed structures.

Evacuations and Closures: Per the Graham County Office of Emergency Management SET for homes between Eden Road and Fort Thomas on the north side of US 70. SET for all homes located in the river corridor in the Fort Thomas-area. 

Weather: Red Flag Warning Monday from 12pm to 7pm including Graham County and the Bryce Fire.  

Safety: Due to aircraft use, a TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) is in place over the fire. Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination. Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly…we can’t.

Camp House Fire Update

Monday, May 12. 2025

MNICS Team C- Incident Commander Jeb Backe & Ryan Williams (trainee)

Fire Information: 218-432-0953 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnmns-camp-house

Email: 2025.camphouse@firenet.gov

Camp House Fire Quick Facts

Size: 750 acres                           Location: Brimson, MN             Resources: 6 engines,3 dozers,                        

Containment: 0%                      Cause: Under investigation       10-person crew, 3 tracked vehicles

& air support 

Start Date: 5/11/2025                                                                  Total Personnel: 56

NOTE-Minnesota Incident Command Team C under Incident Commander Jeb Backe took command of the Camp House fire at 7 am this morning. Ongoing daily fire updates will be released around 11:00 am.

Overview: The Camp House Fire was reported yesterday afternoon approximately 1:00 pm, north of Brimson, MN in St. Louis County, near the Lake County boundary. The fire is burning in mixed forest vegetation with a large quantity of spruce budworm infested forest stands. Aircraft resources, MN Department of Natural Resources, Superior National Forest and mutual aid from area fire departments responded. Nearby structures were threatened. The fire is currently under investigation. Firefighter and public safety are the top priorities. 

Current Status: Firefighters continue full suppression tactics on the fire while protecting threatened structures surrounding the fire perimeter. Fire activity remained active overnight with low humidity recovery. 

Planned Activities: Firefighting resources are preparing for another active fire day. Firefighters will continue building fire lines and working toward fire containment while limiting damage to private land and forest resources. Air resources, heavy equipment, and ground resources will continue to suppress the fire. If drones are detected near the fire, all air operations supporting the fire will stop. 

National Weather Service Forecast: Today- The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch and Red Flag Warning for Monday, May 12 for 64 counties due to near-critical fire weather. Sunny, with a high near 85. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tonight- Mostly clear, with a low around 56. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Tuesday-Sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Evacuations: Evacuation notifications went out last evening, 05/11/25. The northern line of the evacuation area is Little Creek Road, the eastern line is County Road 151, the southern line is Camp House Road, and the western line is Highway 44. Please use caution and be aware of firefighter and responders working in the area.

Cooperating Agencies: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Indian Affairs, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, Two Harbors Fire Department, Finland Fire Department, Silver Bay Fire Department and Brimson Volunteer Fire Department, Minnesota Department of Public Safety Fire Service Specialists, St. Louis County Emergency Management, St. Louis County Rescue Squad, and Lake County Sherriff’s Office, and Lake County Emergency Management. 

Burning Restrictions: For current burning restrictions, see  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html

Incident Commander: Richard Griffin (Type 3 IC) and Kyle Errecart (Type 3 IC Trainee)
Location: 15 miles northeast of Wisdom, MT in the Sawlog Creek drainage
Start Date: 05/01/2025
Cause: Undetermined – under investigation
Size: 2,020 acres  
Resources Assigned: 4 crews; 2 engines; 1 helicopter; 1 water tender; 1 skidgen
Total Personnel: 160
Containment: 90%
 

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS:
Firefighters progressed with patrol and mop-up of hot spots along the western edge of the fire, in their efforts to increase containment. Crews and smokejumpers broke down their “spike camps” near the fire and returned to ICP with their gear and supplies. A helicopter assisted with cargo operations, taking advantage of a two-hour window of weather conditions conducive to flying. The UAS module completed several infrared (IR) heat-seeking missions to locate and map hot spots along the fire perimeter. Resource advisors from the BLM and FS coordinated efforts to develop a repair plan based on their assessment of natural resource impacts due to suppression operations.

Crews will continue to patrol containment lines and mop up areas of residual heat. Firefighters will assess an area northeast of the fire in the Walker Creek drainage that ties into a previously used fireline for the Alder Fire of 2021. The helicopters, housed in Butte for weather and safety, may relocate to Wise River Helibase, pending weather conditions. Excess resources no longer needed will demobilize and return to home units over the next few days.

WEATHER, FUELS, AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Several showers and thunderstorms passed through the vicinity in the last 24 hours, but little to no precipitation fell over the fire. Gusty winds up to 40 mph materialized as the storms blew through. Today’s weather calls for temperatures in the 60s, with a 10% chance of wetting rains and gusty winds from the southwest up to 35 mph. Widespread precipitation and wetting rains are expected Tuesday, as a low-pressure system moves through.

Fire behavior was limited to mostly creeping; interior pockets of unburned fuel may continue to smolder, producing small amounts of smoke. The fire is burning mainly in sagebrush and Lodgepole pine timber. The north-facing slopes in the area consist of a high “dead and downed” fuel component in a mixed conifer forest, and numerous “snags” or hazard trees are present. This fuel combination poses additional hazards for firefighters, affecting on-the-ground progress. Fuel conditions, during this time of year (pre-green up), are extremely dry.

The fire footprint from the 2021 Alder Fire is located to the east, and the fire footprint from the 2021 Christensen Fire lies to the south.

CLOSURES:
The Montana Fish, Wildfire and Parks has issued an emergency site closure for the Fishtrap Creek Fishing Access Site on the Big Hole River due to fire activity from the Sawlog Fire. The site is closed to public use from Mudd Creek Bridge to Sportsman’s Park.

For public safety reasons, the Bureau of Land Management has issued a temporary closure for the Sawlog dispersed camping area, located at the Big Hole River ford site. Specific closure language can be viewed on the Sawlog Fire Inciweb page, Closures tab.

NEW BERN, N.C., May 12, 2025 – The Black Swamp Fire in Croatan National Forest is holding at 950 acres, with containment at 70%. An interagency team of 87 personnel are currently assigned to the fire. 

The public is reminded to abide by all posted closures keeping firefighter and public safety in mind. Closures remain in effect for Black Swamp Road, the Black Swamp OHV area, Great Lake Boating Access Area and Sheep Ridge Wilderness Area, as well as portions of Great Lake Road, Seaborn Road and Holston Hunter Road.

Today, crews will continue to monitor weather conditions as they safely and effectively suppress and monitor the fire. This week’s rain will aid firefighters in saturating the pocosin organic soils. As weather permits, heavy equipment will be utilized to improve ditches on Moccasin Lane and No Name Road and create a fuel break along Long Lake Road. Crews continue working to improve roads for better access on No Name Road.

Smoke from the fire can cause limited visibility and may impact local air quality. Please drive slowly and use caution on roads where smoke may be settling. Check for air quality alerts at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ or https://fire.airnow.gov. For the latest wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in North Carolina or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina

The USDA Forest Service is working in close partnership with state and federal agencies, including the North Carolina Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission and the National Park Service.

For Immediate Release:

Notification for Public Health and Safety

Helicopters Support Final Operations as Resources Exit Fireline Safely

Press Release – Sunday, May 11, 2025

Acres: 482                                                                                                     Start Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025

Location: 38 miles east of Glenwood, NM                                       Personnel: 173

Containment: 92%                                                                                     Cause: Lightning

Summary: Mop-up operations continue across the fire area, with crews now working to a depth of up to 100 feet where conditions allow. This effort involves extinguishing smoldering fuels, cooling hot spots, and mitigating hazards that could lead to re-ignition. By widening the buffer zone within containment lines, firefighters are reinforcing control efforts and reducing the likelihood of fire escape. The depth and thoroughness of these operations, coupled with ongoing hazard tree mitigation, contribute to the long-term stability of the fire area.

In the Willow Creek area, crews have completed the removal of remaining slash generated during earlier contingency line construction. Following chipping operations, residual debris was collected and transported to the designated slash pit. These actions reduce fuel loads and support containment objectives. Additional work in the area includes suppression repair tasks, such as installing water bars to reduce erosion and stabilize disturbed ground.

Helicopters are assisting with the backhaul of gear and supplies in advance of crew demobilization. With containment now at 92%, the Incident Management Team remains confident in the strength of established control lines and the work completed over the past week. Crews are being released from the fireline ahead of a forecasted wind event expected Monday afternoon, which may bring gusts up to 45 mph. These conditions pose risks to aerial operations and ground crews due to the presence of hazard trees. To ensure the safety of all personnel, equipment and firefighters will be off the fireline by this evening.

Road grading continues along the Bursum Road to Highway 12. Use caution if you must travel this road. Slow down and turn your headlights on to make yourself more visible.

Safety: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in effect over the fire area. Unauthorized drone use poses a serious risk to aerial firefighting operations. If you fly, we can’t.

Smoke: Smoke throughout the fire area is minimal and is expected to remain low.  There is potential during the wind event forecasted for Tuesday that smoke may become visible. This smoke will be within the interior of the fire as fuels such as heavy, downed logs continue to consume. For real-time smoke conditions, visit: fire.airnow.gov.

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place on the Gila National Forest. For full details, visit: www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts.

For more information:

Public Information Officer: Email2025.iron@firenet.gov or 575-323-8956, 8am - 8pm

Incident Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmgnf-iron-fire

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GilaNForest 

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NEW BERN, N.C., May 11, 2025 – Firefighters continue to hold the Black Swamp Fire in Croatan National Forest at 950 acres, with containment at 70%. The USDA Forest Service is working in close partnership with state and federal agencies, including the North Carolina Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission and the National Park Service. An interagency team of 94 personnel are currently assigned to the fire.

Today, crews will monitor weather conditions as they safely and effectively suppress and monitor the fire. The incoming rain will aid firefighters in saturating the pocosin soil from the top and raising the water levels underground. Sprinklers, engines, and pumps are being used to move water to help suppress the fire. As weather permits, heavy equipment will be utilized to improve ditches to redirect and hold water in the fire area and create a fuel break along Long Lake Road. Crews continue working to improve roads for better firefighter and equipment access on No Name Road.

Closures remain in effect for Black Swamp Road, the Black Swamp OHV area, Great Lake Boating Access Area and Sheep Ridge Wilderness Area, as well as portions of Great Lake Road, Seaborn Road and Holston Hunter Road.

Smoke from the fire can cause limited visibility and may impact local air quality. Please drive slowly and use caution on roads where smoke may be settling. Check for air quality alerts at https://airquality.climate.ncsu.edu/ or https://fire.airnow.gov. For the latest wildfire updates, follow the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at U.S. Forest Service - National Forests in North Carolina or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina

Incident Commander: Richard Griffin (Type 3 IC) and Kyle Errecart (Type 3 IC Trainee)

Location: 15 miles northeast of Wisdom, MT in the Sawlog Creek drainage

Start Date: 05/01/2025

Cause: Undetermined – under investigation

Size: 2,020 acres 

Resources Assigned: 4 crews; 5 engines; 2 helicopters; 1 water tender; 3 skidgens

Total Personnel: 185

Containment: 65%

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS:

Fire lines were tested yesterday with warm, dry conditions accompanied by gusty winds over the fire area. All containment lines held.  Containment means more than just constructing control line around a fire. Firefighters remove fuel available to burn and/or extinguish sources of heat by mopping up. These actions are taken to secure control lines and prevent the fire from escaping under the current and expected weather forecast.   Once secure, that area of the fires is considered contained. Fire lines will be tested again this afternoon with potential thunderstorms and gusty southwest winds. 

Firefighters completed strategic firing operations yesterday in the “donut hole” or interior pocket, on both sides of Sawlog Creek. The increase in acres represents those acres burned on both sides of Sawlog Creek. Crews will continue to work containment lines as they patrol the fire and mop up any hot spots. They will also continue to reinforce constructed fire lines that are yet not fully contained. 

WEATHER, FUELS, AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Another warm and dry day is expected with periods of showers and potentially thunderstorms today through Monday. Gusty southwest winds will develop during the late morning/early afternoon. Storms will once again cause gusty and erratic winds. Temperatures cool by Monday, but the winds will remain gusty.  Interior pockets of unburned fuel may continue to burn due to gusty winds.    

The fire is burning mainly in sagebrush and Lodgepole pine timber. The north-facing slopes in the area consist of a high “dead and downed” fuel component in a mixed conifer forest, and numerous “snags” or hazard trees are present. This fuel combination poses additional hazards for firefighters and affects on-the-ground progress. Fuel conditions, during this time of year (pre-green up), are extremely dry.

Ensuring firefighter safety and protecting life and property are of the utmost importance during any incident.

The fire footprint from the 2021 Alder Fire is located to the east, and the fire footprint from the 2021 Christensen Fire lies to the south.

CLOSURES:

The Montana Fish, Wildfire and Parks has issued an emergency site closure for the Fishtrap Creek Fishing Access Site on the Big Hole River due to fire activity from the Sawlog Fire. The site is closed to public use from Mudd Creek Bridge to Sportsman’s Park. 

For public safety reasons, the Bureau of Land Management has issued a temporary closure for the Sawlog dispersed camping area, located at the Big Hole River ford site. Specific closure language can be viewed on the Sawlog Fire Inciweb page, Closures tab.

Información de última hora:

Notificación para la Salud y Seguridad Publica

El mapeo de la zona ha sido concluido mientras la contención se ha incrementado

Comunicado de prensa - sábado, 10 de mayo de 2025

Extensión: 482 acres                                                                                    Fecha de Inicio: Domingo 4 de mayo, 2025

Ubicación: 38 millas al Este de Glenwood, NM                               Personal: 200

Contención: 77%                                                                                         Causa: Relámpagos

Resumen: Se ha completado la cartografía basada en GPS en la zona del incendio de Iron, lo que proporciona una representación precisa y detallada acerca del perímetro final del incendio. Estos datos muestran una extensión del incendio de 482 acres. A diferencia de la cartografía a través de vuelos infrarrojos, que ofrece una rápida cobertura de la zona, la cartografía terrestre permite a los bomberos recorrer físicamente la línea del incendio y obtener datos exactos del perímetro, incrementando la precisión y garantizando la veracidad de los datos obtenidos sobre el área afectada.

Se continua con las operaciones de limpieza en toda la zona del incendio, y cuando las condiciones lo permiten, los equipos de bomberos se internan a una profundidad de hasta 33 pies en el incendio. Este trabajo implica la extinción de materia de combustión en llamas, el enfriamiento de espacios de emanación de calor restantes y la eliminación de los riesgos de reignición de fuego. El establecimiento preciso de esta zona de amortiguación dentro de las líneas de contención refuerza los esfuerzos de control y reduce aún más el peligro del incendio. La profundidad y la rigurosidad de esta limpieza, junto con la mitigación de riesgos, contribuyen a garantizar una seguridad a largo plazo en la zona del incendio.

Hoy, las escuadrillas de bomberos completarán la limpieza en las zonas restantes con emanación de calor que fueron identificadas a través de las imágenes infrarrojas (IR) producidas por el sistema aéreo automatizado (UAS- drones). Ahora que la contención del incendio ha alcanzado un 77%, el personal se está preparando para movilizar la maquinaria y equipo personal fuera de las tierras vírgenes. Se espera que todos los equipos de bomberos estén fuera de la línea de fuego y de vuelta en el Puesto de Comando de Incidentes (ICP) a más tardar el lunes por la noche, y que se encuentren listos para participar y apoyar nuevas asignaciones de ataque inicial el martes.

Se advierte al público de un aumento del tráfico relacionado con el incendio en la zona del incidente y sus alrededores. Camiones de bomberos y otros vehículos trabajando en el incendio, incluyendo dos máquinas motoniveladoras, estarán trabajando a lo largo de la Carretera 28 desde la Base de Bomberos Negrito, extendiéndose por Bursum Road hasta la Autopista 12. Por favor, reduzca la velocidad, encienda las luces y tenga cuidado al viajar en esta área. 

Aviso: La carretera forestal 141 estará cerrada en el puente del arroyo South Fork Negrito a partir del lunes 12 de mayo. Este camino permanecerá cerrado durante varios meses y los visitantes deberán buscar rutas alternativas en la carretera forestal 94 o Bursum Road.

CDT excursionistas: Para la seguridad del público en general, considere tomar otras rutas cuando le sea posible. Para información actualizada acerca del acceso a los senderos contacte: info@cdtcoalition.org.

Seguridad: Se encuentra vigente la restricción temporal de vuelo (TFR) sobre la zona del incendio. Los drones representan un     grave riesgo para los aviones combatiendo el fuego. ¡Si Usted vuela, Nosotros no podemos!

Presencia del Humo: La cantidad del humo se ha reducido significativamente en los últimos días. Sin embargo, al producirse un aumento en la temperatura, se da la posibilidad de un aumento en la actividad del incendio y en la producción del humo. Se podrá observar el humo desde Mogollon, Willow Creek, Reserve, CP Anderson y Snow Lake. Para información actualizada de las condiciones de humo, visite fire.airnow.gov

Restricciones de Incendio: Se encuentra vigente la Etapa 2 de Restricciones de fuego para el Bosque Nacional de Gila. Para más información visite at www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts.

Para más información:

Oficial para Información Pública: Email2025.iron@firenet.gov o 575-323- 8956, 8am - 8pm

Datos del Incidente: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmgnf-iron-fire

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GilaNForest

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