Hear from the Agency Administrator, Fire Operations, Fire Behavior Specialist and the Incident Commander as they explain the plan of attack for the Salt Fire, Gin Fire and Griffin Fire.

 https://www.facebook.com/watch/SaltGinGriffinFire

Order Number: 03-12-00-20-399
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE TONTO NATIONAL FOREST
GLOBE, AND TONTO BASIN RANGER DISTRICTS

Salt, Gin and Griffin Fire Public Safety Closure Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the
area described in this Order (the “Restricted Area”) and as depicted on the attached map, hereby
incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, all within the Tonto National Forest, Maricopa and Gila
Counties, Arizona.

1.   Going into or being upon the Restricted Area.  36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1.   Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the
effect of this Order.

2.   Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of any organized rescue or firefighting
resource in the performance of an official duty.

RESTRICTED AREA

All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary beginning at the
intersection of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 216 and U.S. Highway (U.S.) 60, then following
northwest along the southwest edge of NFSR 216 to its intersection with Hess Canyon, then following
Hess Canyon northwest to NFSR 303, then following southwest along the eastern edge of NFSR 303 to
NFSR 645, then following the southern edge of NFSR 645 to NFSR 346, then following the western edge
of NFSR 346 to the Salt River, then following the southern bank of the Salt River in a general
southwesterly direction to Arizona State Route (SR) 288, then following the eastern edge of SR 288
in a southwesterly direction to its intersection with SR 188, then following the southwest edge of
SR 188 in a general northwesterly direction to its
intersection with NFSR 449, then following the southeastern edge of NFSR 449 in a
southwesterly direction to its intersection with NFSR 449A, then following the east edge of
NFSR 449A to the Campaign Creek trailhead for National Forest System Trail (NFST) 256 (Campaign
Creek Trail), then following the eastern edge of NFST 256 south to its intersection with NFST 212
(Miles Ranch Trail), then following the northern edge of NFST 212 east to the Miles Ranch
Trailhead, then following the northern edge of NFSR 287A east to NFSR 287, then following the
eastern edge of NFSR 287 in a general southeasterly direction to US 60, then following along the
northern and western edges of US 60 in a general northeasterly direction (excluding non-National
Forest System lands) to its intersection with NFSR 330, then following the north edge of NFSR 330
in a general southeasterly direction to its intersection with the San Carlos Apache Reservation,
then following the National Forest/San Carlos Apache Reservation boundary in a northeasterly
direction to its intersection with NFSR 2326, then following the north edge of NFSR 2326 in a
northwesterly direction back to the point of beginning at the intersection U.S. 60 and NFSR 216, as
shown in the map in Exhibit A.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to close the Restricted Area during firefighting and emergency
operations for the protection of public health and safety.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.   This Order will be effective on August 21, 2020, at  1200    , and shall remain in effect
until September 30, 2020, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

2.   A map identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A.

3.   Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more
than $5,000 for individuals or $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six
(6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6),
18 U.S.C. § 3581(b)(7)).

4.   Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Tonto National Forest
Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix, Arizona, (602)225-5200, or at Mesa Ranger District Office,
(480)610-3300.

Dated this 21st day of August 2020, at Phoenix, Arizona

/s/ NEIL BOSWORTH
Forest Supervisor

New Areas on “Set” and “Go” Evacuation Status
 

Salt Fire

Location: 11 miles north of Globe, AZ near the junction of Hwy. 188 and SR 288

Cause: Lightning

Percent containment: 0%

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression

Size: 13,000 acres

Vegetation: Sonoran Desert Grass and Brush

Gin Fire

Location: 5 miles northeast of Globe, AZ in the Apache mountains west of Hwy. 60

Cause: Lightning

Percent containment: 0%

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression

Size: 3,600 acres

Vegetation: Grass and Brush

Griffin Fire

Location: 1.5 miles north of the Gin Fire

Cause: Lightning

Size: 1000 acres

Percent containment: 0%

Vegetation: Grass and Brush

Fire Strategy: Full Suppression

 Fire activity:

Salt Fire: There was minimal fire activity on the east side of Hwy. 188 yesterday. There were two small spot fires near Pringle Pump and a 4-acre spot fire on the west side of SR 288 that crews were able to contain. The fire was most active west of Hwy. 188. Heavy smoke impacted the 500 KV powerlines operated by SRP and APS yesterday afternoon. They expect the fire to be active in the Granite Basin area today. Crews will work to minimize impacts to the values at risk in the area which include communities near Wheatfields and Roosevelt, Pinto Valley Mine, APS/SRP powerlines, and Hwy 188/288.

Gin Fire: The fire was most active on the northwest side yesterday in the Apache Mountains. Firefighters are using bulldozers and heavy equipment to clear along the existing road system to connect FR 220 to FR 224 in order to secure the southwest flank of the fire.

Griffin Fire: The fire backed down hill yesterday to the east. This morning the fire has moved east and is impcting State Highway 60. ADOT has temporarily closed the highway in both directions. Visit AZ511.gov for the latest information. Today crews will scout the north and east sides of the fire looking for holding features they may use to create containment lines.

Communities Affected: As a result of the Salt Fire, the Gila County Sheriff's Office and Gila County Emergency Management have recommended that the following areas be placed on "SET" mode on the Ready Set, Go! model: areas on both sides of Hwy 188 from Bixby Road to the 188/288 junction all of Wheatfields. This includes the areas between H&E Ranch and Pringle Pump, Roosevelt Estates, Roosevelt Resort, Rockhouse, Spring Creek, Hay Hook, and Quail Run.

THESE COMMUNITIES ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY THREATENED, THE 'SET' NOTIFICATION IS A PREPARATORY MEASURE.

For more emergency alert information, visit http://www.readygila.com/

Smoke: Overnight smoke from all three fires has flowed down the Pinal Creek drainage and settled into the Roosevelt Lake area. Yesterday Wheatfields, and communities around Roosevelt Lake and Tonto Basin areas were most affected by smoke. The Globe-Miami area and San Carlos may also be impacted by smoke depending on prevailing winds. Salt Wildfire Smoke Forecast can be found at: https://azdeq.gov/WildfireForecast?fire=saltfire

Weather: Winds are expected to be from the southwest from 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon with the possibility of strong outflow winds from thunderstorms in the evening up to 23 mph. Temperatures will range from 74 to 97 with a 20 percent chance of rain in the afternoon.

Values: Fire fighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. The fire area includes multiple communities, power lines, mines, range improvements and historical sites, which firefighters are working hard to assess and protect.

Closures and Restrictions: ADOT has Hwy. 188 closed from the north end of Wheatfields Rd. north to mile marker 232 near Roosevelt. SR 288 is closed from the junction of Hwy. 188 to FR 465. For more updates on highway closures and restrictions visit: https://www.az511.gov/

More Info: Official information on the fire can be found on these sites. Salt Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7019/

Gin Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7017/

Griffin Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7020/

Incident Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Salt-Gin-Griffin-Fire-100936588404764/?modal=admin_todo_tour

US-60 is closed from mile marker 269 to mile marker 266. Go to www.az511.com for current road conditions. 

 GIN FIRE

All closures associated with the Shissler fire have been rescinded.

Officials working the Shissler fire on the Red River Ranger District report no growth on the fire over the last few days. Forest Service Road (FSR) 285 (The Green Mountain/Elk Mountain Road) is open to the public. Forest Service employees remain on site to give updated information on safe passage, and the public is encouraged to use caution when traveling the road. The Magruder Road (FSR 468, Montana Road) remains open to the public with no restrictions or advisories. Those traveling through high elevations this weekend should be aware of the possibility of precipitation, including snow at higher altitudes, and plan accordingly.

Acreage on the Shissler fire has been reduced from approximately 11,000 acres to 10,680 acres based on more accurate mapping.  Forest Service Road (FSR) 285 (The Green Mountain / Elk Mountain Road) on the Red River Ranger District is open to the public.  Forest Service employees are on site to give advice and updated info on safe passage where the fire has impacted the road.  Forest Service officials urge the public to use caution when travelling the road.  The FSR 468 / Montana Road remains open to the public with no restrictions or advisories. 

Rain fell on the Shissler fire near Elk City this weekend, which lessened fire behavior. Officials were able to conduct a reconnaissance flight on the fire Sunday afternoon for the first time since early September. The Shissler fire is now estimated at 11,000 acres based on more precise mapping available via aerial reconnaissance. Crews continue to strengthen point protection in the Red River Valley and assess options for safely responding to areas of fire growth. Fire managers expect to see minimal to moderate growth on all sides of the Shissler fire this week.