Firefighters continue work today on the Cottonwood Fire, building containment lines and working to secure the fire’s edge. There was minimal growth overnight, putting the fire at 2,834 acres in size with 5% containment. With the increase in crews for today’s shift, fire managers hope to see a larger gain in containment during today’s operational period. Helicopters will continue to support ground operations by cooling hot spots with water drops.

Yesterday, handcrews worked to secure the north and west flanks of the fire, which are the portions located at the base of Mount Potosi. Engine modules worked the south and east flanks along the roadways. Fire behavior was moderate, making a few small runs in the grassy areas, but otherwise creeping and smoldering.

A Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, has been issued over the fire which has affected the approach and departure route for the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. TFRs are issued to provide safety for firefighters both in the air and on the ground. Cottonwood Fire management is working closely with the FAA to coordinate these efforts.

Weather conditions can greatly affect fire behavior, so they are closely monitored by fire mangers and firefighters. Another Red Flag Warning is in affect today for strong winds and low humidities, accompanied by high temperatures.

Smoke may continue to be visible from the fire today, especially from southwest Las Vegas. Fire managers would like to remind the public to please avoid the fire area, including Cotttonwood Pass Road and the trail system accessed by the Late Night Trailhead. They would also like to encourage everyone to be diligent in preventing any new fire ignitions, as the fuel conditions are at critical levels to support large and rapid fire growth.

Command of the fire will transition to Chadwick’s Great Basin Team 6 at the end of shift today.

Las Vegas, NV, July 20, 2020 – Firefighters made good progress on the Cottonwood Fire today, though the size increased to 2,741 acres due to more accurate mapping, the containment increased to 5%. Handcrews worked to secure the north and west flanks of the fire, which are the portions located at the base of Mount Potosi. Engine modules worked the south and east flanks along the roadways.

Air operations continued to support ground crews with retardant and water drops. Three helicopters, multiple airtankers and an air attack plane, which provides supervision and coordination of the air resources, worked the fire for the duration of the day.  

Yesterday, the fire was driven by critically dry fuels, winds and topography, making suppression efforts difficult for firefighters and periodically causing extreme fire behavior. The fire burned to the base of Mount Potosi, but has not moved up the slope of mountain. Because of the communications site located on top of Potosi, point protection was performed by aircraft as a precaution. Point protection is a wildfire response strategy which protects highly valued resources from the wildfire without directly halting the continued spread.

A Temporary Flight Restriction, or TFR, has been issued over the fire which has affected the approach and departure route for the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas. TFRs are issued to provide safety for firefighters both in the air and on the ground. Cottonwood Fire management is working closely with the FAA to coordinate these efforts.

Chadwick’s Great Basin Team 6, a Type 2 Interagency Incident Management Team, will be arriving and receiving a briefing on the fire tomorrow afternoon.

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, July 21, 8:30 a.m.

Cottonwood Fire on the SMNRA Grows to 700-800 Acres

Las Vegas, NV., July 20, 2020 – The Cottonwood Fire was reported on July 20th, just before 9:00 a.m. in the Cottonwood Pass area south of Highway 160. It is estimated at 700-800 acres burning in grass, sage and brush, mixed with some pinyon and juniper.

Ground and air resources have been working together to establish an anchor point and begin to build containment line around the flanks, or sides, of the fire. Additional crews and aircraft have been ordered and will be arriving throughout the day. Currently, airtankers are using retardant to coat the vegetation to try and inhibit the fire’s spread, as well as performing point protection for the communications site on top of Potosi Mountain as a precaution. A type 2 helicopter has begun bucket drops to help cool the fire’s edge.

The fire is running, especially when it aligns with area drainages and wind. It is currently moving to the northeast. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecasted today, with the potential for gusty and erratic outflow winds to affect fire behavior, along with a Red Flag Warning that is in effect until Tuesday night. Neither Highway 160 nor any communities are currently threatened.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, though lightning has recently been in the general area. A Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team has been ordered. 

For more information on the Cottonwood Fire as it becomes available, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6871/ 

Grand Canyon, AZ - This is the final update for the Thumb Fire unless conditions change significantly. The Thumb Fire is 100% contained. The final acreage reported for the fire is 8,354.

At 5:00 pm yesterday the Thumb Fire switched to monitor status. The fire area received significant precipitation last week and even more rain over the weekend. Yesterday a reconnaissance flight ensured that containment lines were secure and no smoke was detected. All resources have been released but the fire will continued to be monitored aerially.

The Havasupai reservation is under an emergency closure due to the COVID-19 virus. Public entry into the reservation is prohibited and will be strictly enforced by the Havasupai Tribe.

There are no closures in Grand Canyon National Park related to the Thumb Fire.

For more information on the Thumb Fire, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6870/.

Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for other information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information.

Thumb Fire Update - July 24, 2020

Acres: 8,354 acres (no change)                                                                     Percent Containment:  88%

Start Date: Thursday, July 16, 2020                                                              Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 33 miles NW of Tusayan, AZ                                          Fuels: Pinion juniper, high desert grass

Personnel Assigned: approx. 100 personnel

Thumb Fire area receives rain – More rain in the forecast

Grand Canyon, AZ – – The entire Thumb Fire area received rain for much of the day yesterday and more rain is predicted for today. Firefighters departed the fire area yesterday afternoon after confirming the burn area was receiving rain. The fire’s containment is currently at eighty-eight percent and is anticipated to increase over the weekend. The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team is assisting with the demobilization of resources and working to transfer management back to the local agencies. Fire engines will remain assigned to assist with patrolling and monitoring the fire area once it is safe to enter the area after the rain.  

CLOSURES: The Havasupai reservation is under an emergency closure due to the COVID-19 virus. Public entry into the reservation is prohibited and will be strictly enforced by the Havasupai Tribe. There are no closures within Grand Canyon National Park related to the Thumb Fire.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area. The continued need will be evaluated.

For more information on the Thumb Fire, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6870/

For information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park, visit: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information.

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Thumb Fire Update - July 23, 2020
 

 

Containment progressing on the Thumb Fire
 

Grand Canyon, AZ – – The eastern and western flanks of the Thumb Fire have not burned beyond the canyon edges. Firefighters have confirmed that there is no heat present in those areas, contributing to the overall containment of the fire. They will continue to monitor the most northern tip of the fire by aircraft. The southern flank of the fire remains moderately active with scattered pockets of heat. The moderated fire activity has allowed firefighters to work adjacent to the fire removing vegetation and strengthening containment features such as two-track roads, trails, and rock outcroppings. They will continue to scout and improve that established southern line and “cold trail” looking for and extinguishing heat adjacent to the containment line through the day. Firefighters will also be closely monitoring the dynamic weather conditions like strong outflow winds, lightning, and rain from predicted area thunderstorms.  

SMOKE: Smoke has been minimal and haze from the Thumb Fire is visible from Supai and both the North and South Rims of Grand Canyon National Park, which visitors may see. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public Health and Human Services website: https://www.coconino.az.gov/221/Health  

CLOSURES: The Havasupai reservation is under an emergency closure due to the COVID-19 virus. Public entry into the reservation is prohibited and will be strictly enforced by the Havasupai Tribe. There are no closures within Grand Canyon National Park related to the Thumb Fire.  

 A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area.  

 For more information on the Thumb Fire, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6870/  

 For information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park, visit: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information.

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Thumb Fire Update - July 22, 2020

 Type 3 Incident Management Team assisting with Thumb Fire management

Grand Canyon, AZ - The Thumb Fire is approximately 6,200 acres. Growth yesterday was primarily in the southern portion of the fire perimeter. Fire behavior was active with single tree torching and surface fire of three to four foot flames where the fire was consuming grass.

Located on the northwestern edge of the Great Thumb Mesa, the Thumb Fire started on July 16th. Fire managers plan to continue the strategy of suppressing the lightning caused while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. 

Additional firefighting resources have been ordered to assist in the wildfire suppression effort. Helicopter bucket drops will be used to slow the growth of the fire to the south. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area. 

Smoke from the Thumb Fire is visible from both the North and South Rims of the park. Visitors may see increased smoke or haze filling the canyon. For more information about air quality at Grand Canyon National Park visit, https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&cityid=31.

At this time there are no closures within the park. Grand Canyon National Park is providing interagency support to the Truxton Canon Agency and the Havasupai Tribe. Resources assigned include two engines, a resource advisor, the Southern Paiute Agency resource module, and two type one helicopters.

Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for other information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information.