Arizona Department of Transportation - REOPENING ALERT: US 60 eastbound has reopened east of Globe after it was closed by the Griffin Fire between mileposts 251 and 318. The speed limit in that stretch, from Globe to near the Fort Apache Reservation, will be reduced to 55 miles per hour to accommodate fire crews. More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pg/AZDOT/posts/?ref=page_internal

Monday, August 31, 2020

Tune in to White Mountain Apache Radio (Whiteriver-88.1 FM / Cibecue-89.9) at 11:30 am each day

to hear from the Incident Command Team

Location: 22 miles southwest of Cibecue, AZ

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression  

Cause: Lightning

Size: 8,930 acres              

Percent Containment: 80%

Vegetation: Tall grass, Piñon-Juniper

Resources:  232 Total Personnel: 7 crews; 9 engines; 2 bulldozers; 1 water tender; 2 helicopters

OVERVIEW

• As containment on the Medicine Fire increases, resources are shifting from the Medicine to the Lofer Fire, Medicine II Fire (2 miles east of the Medicine Fire), Flash Fire (3 miles northeast of the Lofer Fire), and Marshall Butte Fire (7 miles north of the Lofer Fire).

• Personnel have been identified to address any new fire starts resulting from anticipated thunderstorms.

• The Medicine Fire is approximately 8 ½ miles away from Hwy 60 near the Salt River Canyon, however, the fire remains west of the Salt River and highway. For current highway information visit www.az511.gov.

• Firefighters are working hard on all five fires to protect the valuable timber, grazing lands, cultural and historic sites, and recreation opportunities on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.

• There remains the possibility for afternoon thunderstorms and rain. Thunderstorms and outflow winds have the potential to push fire quickly in any direction which is a concern for firefighter safety and public. Lightning strikes during afternoon thunderstorms could also cause new fires.

UPDATE

Containment on the Medicine Fire is now 80 percent. Some of the crews from the Medicine Fire have shifted to focus on the other four fires on Fort Apache tribal lands.  Today, remaining crews will monitor and patrol the fire looking for heat sources that could threaten containment lines, especially during afternoon storms that tend to produce erratic outflow winds. Afternoon thunderstorms have a 40 percent chance of producing rainfall over the fire. They will also begin fire suppression repair work. The fire perimeter has not seen significant growth in two days.

The Medicine II Fire that started on August 28 was quickly attacked by ground and aircrews and remains at 46 acres.  Crews will monitor the fire, patrolling fire lines looking for heat sources.

Communities Affected

There are no communities threatened by any of the five fires. The Medicine Fire is approximately 22 miles southwest of Cibecue. The fires on the White Mountain Apache Reservation are not currently producing a lot of smoke, however, an air quality specialist is on-site to help predict where smoke from the fires may drift and settle. Additional details can be found in the East-Central Arizona Smoke Report at:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EastCentralArizona.  

Values

Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. The Medicine fire area is burning on important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are responding to protect the commercial timberlands, watersheds and riparian areas to protect the Apache trout, rangelands and range improvements, prehistoric, historic and traditional gathering sites, recreation opportunities, Mt Baldy Wilderness and Sunrise Ski Resort to the north.

Weather

Cloudy conditions are forecasted today, which will moderate fire growth. However, there remains the opportunity for all the fires to spot into unburned areas outside the fire perimeters should gusty winds hit the fire.

Medicine/Medicine II Fire: There is a 40 percent chance of precipitation today with temperatures at approximately 90 degrees. Relative humidity levels will be around 20 percent with winds of 7-12 mph.  

More Info: Tune in to White Mountain Apache Radio (KNNB: Whiteriver-88.1 FM or Cibecue-89.9) at 11:30 am each day to hear from the Incident Command Team. Official information on the fire can be found on these sites.

• Lofer Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7093/

• Medicine Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7092/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/

• Highway Closures and Restrictions: https://www.az511.gov/

• Wildland Fire Smoke Report:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/EastCentralArizona

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Location: 22 miles southwest of Cibecue, AZ

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression  

Cause: Lightning

Size: 8,930 acres              

Percent containment: 60%

Vegetation: Tall grass,

Piñon-Juniper

Resources:  156 total including: 5 crews; 7 engines; 2 bulldozers; 1 water tender; 2 helicopters

OVERVIEW

• As containment on the Medicine Fire increases, resources are being shifted over to work on the Medicine II Fire (east of the Medicine Fire).

• Firefighting personal have been identified to address any new fire starts that may result from the anticipated storms.

• Highway 60 is closed north of Globe because of the Griffin Fire. The Medicine Fire is approximately 8 ½ miles away from Hwy 60 near the Salt River Canyon, however, the fire remains west of the Salt River and highway. For current highway information visit www.az511.gov

• Firefighters are working hard on all five fires to protect the valuable timber, grazing lands, cultural and historic sites, and recreation opportunities on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.

• Rain over the fire area is anticipated to be 50 to 60 percent, resulting in a flash flood advisal for the area.  The chance of afternoon thunderstorms and outflow winds, which have the potential to push fire quickly in any direction, remains a concern for public and firefighter safety. Lightning strikes during afternoon thunderstorms could cause new fire starts due to the lack of consistent moisture across Fort Apache tribal lands this summer.

UPDATE

Medicine Fire

Firefighters continue to make progress on containing the Medicine Fire, increasing to 60 percent. As containment on the fire increases, crews are being shifted to the other four fires. Today, crews will monitor the fire, patrol fire lines looking for heat sources that could threaten containment lines during the anticipated storms. They will also be doing suppression repair work.  The northern side of the fire along Mustang Ridge continues to hold. Neither side has seen significant growth in the past 48 hours. The fire is burning in tall grass and Pinyon-Juniper. The historic Medicine Ranch house was destroyed before firefighters could reach the fire. Afternoon thunderstorms have a 50 percent chance of producing rainfall over the fire. These storms may also bring gusty winds that could push the fire in multiple directions.

Medicine II Fire

The Medicine II Fire, which was started by a bulldozer leaving the Medicine Fire, was quickly attacked by ground and aircrews and is currently at 46 acres.  Crews will monitor the fire, patrolling fire lines looking for heat sources that could threaten to increase the fire during the anticipated storms.

Communities Affected

There are no communities threatened by the Medicine and Medicine II fires. The Medicine Fire is approximately 22 miles southwest of Cibecue. An air quality specialist has been ordered to help predict where smoke from the fires may drift and settle. The fires on the White Mountain Apache Reservation are not currently producing a lot of smoke. General air quality information can be found at https://azdeq.gov/node/7077

Values

Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. The Medicine and Medicine II fire areas are important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are responding to protect the commercial timberlands, watersheds and riparian areas to protect the Apache trout, rangelands and range improvements, prehistoric, historic and traditional gathering sites, and recreation and wilderness opportunities being impacted by the Lofer, Medicine, Medicine II, Flash and Marshall Butte fires.

Weather

Precipitation in the fire area is anticipated to be 50 to 60 percent, resulting in a flash flood advisal for the area.  With cloudy conditions, fire growth is unlikely but there remains the opportunity for all of the fires to spot into unburned areas outside the fire perimeter until the areas receives wetting rains.  Outflows from the in the afternoon could lead to increase in all of the fire perimeters.

More Info: Official information on the fire can be found on these sites.

• Lofer Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7093/  

• Medicine Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7092/  

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/  

• Highway Closures and Restrictions: https://www.az511.gov/  

• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Location: 22 miles southwest of Cibecue, AZ

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression  

Cause: Lightning

Size: 8,930 acres              

Percent containment: 50%

Vegetation: Tall grass, Piñon-Juniper  

OVERVIEW

• Firefighters made good progress on the Medicine Fire despite a new start on the northeast side, to which ground and aircrews quickly responded.

• Highway 60 is closed north of Globe because of the Griffin Fire. The Medicine Fire is approximately 8 ½ miles away from Hwy 60 near the Salt River Canyon, however, the fire remains west of the Salt River and highway. For current highway information visit www.az511.gov

• Firefighters are working hard on both the Medicine Fire to protect the valuable timber, grazing lands, cultural and historic sites on the White Mountain Apache Reservation.

• Additional resources have arrived to assist in fire suppression efforts, increasing total personnel to 153.

• The chance of afternoon thunderstorms and outflow winds, which have the potential to push fire quickly in any direction, remains a concern for public and firefighter safety. Lightning strikes during afternoon thunderstorms could cause new fire starts due to the lack of consistent moisture across Fort Apache tribal lands this summer.

UPDATE

Firefighters made good progress on The Medicine Fire yesterday and containment increased to 50 percent. More accurate mapping of the Medicine Fire determined the total acres to be 8,930. A heavy air tanker dropped retardant along the northeast side of the fire after a new fire start was spotted by air attack aircraft. Today ground crews will continue to contain and control fire spread to protect important cultural sites including cliff dwellings to the northeast. They will also monitor the southeast side of the fire for heat sources that could flare up should weather conditions shift. The northern side of the fire along Mustang Ridge continues to hold. Neither side has seen significant growth in the past 24 hours. The fire is burning in tall grass and Pinyon-Juniper. The historic Medicine Ranch house was destroyed before firefighters could reach the fire. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible, bringing gusty winds that could push the fire in multiple directions.

Communities Affected

There are no communities threatened by the Medicine fire. The Medicine Fire is approximately 22 miles southwest of Cibecue and is currently moving away from Cibecue. An air quality specialist has been ordered to help predict where smoke from the fires may drift and settle. General air quality information can be found at https://azdeq.gov/node/7077

Values

Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. The Medicine fire area is important to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are responding to protect the commercial timberlands, watersheds and riparian areas to protect the Apache trout, rangelands and range improvements, prehistoric, historic and traditional gathering sites, and recreation and wilderness opportunities being impacted by the Medicine fire.

Weather

There is a 20 percent chance of rain today. Temperatures will be 90-96 degrees with a humidity level of 26 percent. Afternoon thunderstorms will produce gusty erratic winds and flash floods in the area are possible. 

More Info: Official information on the fire can be found on these sites.

• Medicine Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7092/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/

• Highway Closures and Restrictions: https://www.az511.gov/

• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077

Friday, August 28, 2020

Location: 22 miles southwest of Cibecue, AZ

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression

Cause: Lightning

Size: 9,000 acres

Percent containment: 0%

Vegetation: Tall grass and Pinyon-Juniper
 

Firefighters have been working to build fireline to keep the Medicine fire from damaging or destroying the valuable timber, grazing lands, cultural and historic sites on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Outflow winds from afternoon thunderstorms still have the potential to move move fire quickly in multiple directions and cause a safety risk for firefighters. These storms have not brought the much-needed rain normal for August. Additional firefighters are being ordered to provide extra boots on the ground to support firefighting efforts.

Overview
· Highway 60 is closed north of Globe because of the Griffin Fire.  The Medicine Fire is approximately 8 ½ miles away from Hwy 60 near the Salt River Canyon, however the fire is not currently moving towards the highway. For current highway information visit www.az511.gov
· Firefighters are working on the Medicine fire. Total resources on the ground are 70 personnel.
· Fire activity and movement will continue to be driven by hot temperatures, dry vegetation, terrain, slope and potential of winds from thunderstorms moving through the area. The chance of afternoon thunderstorm buildup and outflow winds will remain a concern for public and firefighter safety.

UPDATE

The Medicine Fire was reported on August 22, and quickly grew because of dry grasses and gusty winds. The fire is burning in tall grass and Pinyon-Juniper. The historic Medicine Ranch house was destroyed before firefighters could reach the fire. Thursday, firefighters made good progress on the southwestern corner keeping fire from reaching the Control Tank, and parts of the fire received a light rain. Today, crews will be working along a two-track road on the northwest side of the fire to prevent further spread to the west. On the north side of the fire, the fire is holding on Mustang Ridge. The southwest corner of the fire was the most active on Thursday, and crews will be putting out any hot spots along the fire’s edge to prevent the fire from moving and farther to the south/southwest  Afternoon thunderstorms are possible, bringing causing gusty winds which could push fire in multiple directions.

Values: Fire fighter and public safety are the highest priorities on this fire. The Medicine Fire area is important lands to the White Mountain Apache people. Firefighters are responding to protect the watersheds, rangelands, prehistoric, historic and traditional gathering sites, and recreation and wilderness opportunities being impacted by the Medicine Fire.
 

More Info: Official information on the fire can be found on these sites.
• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7093/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt/
• Highway Closures and Restrictions: https://www.az511.gov/
• ADEQ Air Quality Information: https://azdeq.gov/node/7077 

The Moody Fire is 1,090 acres, 100% contained and has been turned back over to the local fire departments to monitor.

Moody Fire: 1,090 acres, 95% contained
Location: approximately 2 miles south of Del Rio, Texas

Resources have returned to the fire this morning to continue fire suppression efforts. The IC reports that everything is looking good. Engine crews will be patrolling for hot spots and doing any mop up that is needed along the fire perimeter.

Fire Weather: Clear skies and light southeasterly winds prevail this morning with temperatures in the middle 80s. Highs today will top out near 105 degrees with heat index values near 110 degrees. Afternoon humidity values will drop to near 25 percent and winds the afternoon will be out of the south/southeast around 10-14 MPH.

Moody Fire: 1,090 acres, 95% contained
Location: approximately 2 miles south of Del Rio, Texas

Resources made significant progress on fire suppression today. Dozer crews will continue to improve containment line while engine crews mop up hot spots along the fire perimeter.

Moody Fire: estimated 300 acres, 80% contained
Location: approximately 2 miles south of Del Rio, Texas

Dozer crews will continue to construct and improve containment line around the fire perimeter. Engine crews will continue to mop up any hotspots. Aerial resources will be utilized when available.  

 Fire Weather: Any chances for wetting rains remain very slim through the weekend. Hot and dry conditions will persist with minimum RH values near 25 percent. Winds will be southeasterly, gusty at times in the late afternoon and evening hours before settling down overnight.

Moody Fire: estimated 300 acres, 80% contained
Location: approximately 2 miles south of Del Rio, Texas

Aerial and ground resources made significant progress on fire suppression today. Forward progression has been stopped by locals with county equipment. Dozer crews will return tomorrow to continue to construct and improve containment line. Engines will continue to mop up hotspots.