POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 8, 2020

 ADVISORY
 
 POLLES FIRE HELICOPTER INCIDENT - July 7, 2020
 
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
Earlier today, a helicopter working on the Polles Fire on the Tonto National Forest crashed. We can currently confirm one fatality, which was the pilot. This individual was the only person on the aircraft.

 
The tragic incident is currently under investigation and additional information will be released as it becomes available. A press conference is being held at 7:30 pm. It will be live streamed to the Tonto NF Facebook page.

 
 Polles Fire Public Information 
 
 Public Line: (928) 351-7723
 
 Media Line: (928) 351-7596
 
 Email: 2020.polles@firenet.gov
 
 Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/
 
 Tonto NF Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/
 
 Tonto NF Twitter: twitter.com/TontoForest
 
 Tonto NF Website: www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 7, 2020
 
Acres: 580 acres Percent Containment: 0%
 
Start Date: Friday, July 3, 2020 Cause: Lightning
 
Origin Location: 11 miles W of Payson, AZ Fuels: Pinion juniper, high desert grass
 
Resources: approx. 360, including 9 crews, 14 engines, 3 dozers, 2 masticators, 5 helicopters
 
Challenged by hot and dry conditions firefighters continue to make progress toward containment
 
Payson, Ariz. – Facing extreme conditions firefighters on the Polles Fire west of Payson continue to make marked progress toward containment. A total of 6 hotshot crews are directly engaged on the fire within the wilderness area, supported by airtankers and helicopters during the day, while other firefighters have been working adjacent to the communities and the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, scouting vegetation conditions and enhancing established fuel breaks and roads that could help protect homes and slow fire spread should there be a shift in fire behavior on the fire, to be used only if needed. The north/northeast portion of the fire continues to be the most active area.
 
Crews have been taking advantage of the nighttime increase in humidity and decreased wind to make progress in building containment line. They have worked shifts late into the evening for the last few nights. These crews remain “spiked out”, sleeping in the remote wilderness, their food, drinking water and supplies flown in by helicopter daily.
 
There are no current threats from the Polles Fire to the communities of Pine-Strawberry or Payson. We do encourage that residents become familiar with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for their county emergency notification system and remain alert, ready and make essential preparations. Visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for more information.
 
The Tonto National Forest has a Closure in effect across the forest to prevent new human caused fires. Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
 
The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has closed due to the Polles Fire. For more information, visit: https://azstateparks.com/tonto
 
The fire is burning in the areas of The Arizona Trail, White Rock and Big Springs.
 
Smoke forecast for the Polles Fire, visit: https://bit.ly/2VNiwiY
 
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
 
Polles Fire Public Information
 
Public Line: (928) 351-7723 Media Line: (928) 351-7596

Email: 2020.polles@firenet.gov

Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/ Tonto NF

Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/ Tonto NF

Twitter: twitter.com/TontoForest

Tonto NF Website: www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

 The  Evening Operational Video is available now

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 6, 2020
 
Acres: 572 acres (IR Flight)
 
Percent Containment: 0%
 
Start Date: Friday, July 3, 2020

Cause: Lightning
 
Origin Location: 11 miles W of Payson, AZ
 
Fuels: Pinion juniper, high desert grass
 
Resources: approx. 220, including

8 crews. 14 engines. 5 helicopters
 
Firefighters continue efforts to contain Polles Fire - Type 1 Incident Management Team transitions into command
 
 
 Payson, Ariz. The area’s extremely dry conditions and the potential for extreme fire behavior have warranted the decision to bring in the support of a Type 1 Incident Management Team. Logistical support required to support the firefighters working in terrain only accessible by helicopter also increased the complexity of the incident. The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team #2, lead by Incident Commander John Pierson, has taken command of the Polles Fire effective 6:00 a.m.
  

“The Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team and the Tonto National Forest have provided our team with a solid foundation of work from which we can continue to suppress this fire safely,” said Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Commander, John Pierson.   Hotshot crews have been flown in by helicopter and their suppression efforts have been supported by airtankers and helicopters. A nighttime increase in humidity has allowed firefighters to make progress in building containment line as they have worked shifts late into the evening for the last few nights. A total of 5 crews are directly engaged on the fire while other firefighters have been working adjacent to the communities, scouting vegetation conditions and enhancing established fuel breaks and roads that could help protect homes and slow fire spread should there be a shift in fire behavior on the fire. 

 
 There are no current threats from the Polles Fire to the communities of Pine-Strawberry or Payson. We do encourage that residents become familiar with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for their county emergency notification system and remain alert, ready and make essential preparations. Visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for more information. 

 
 The Tonto National Forest has a Closure in effect across the forest to prevent new human caused fires.  Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices. 

 
 The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has closed due to the Polles Fire. For more information, visit:  https://azstateparks.com/tonto 

 
 Smoke forecast for the Polles Fire, visit: https://bit.ly/2VNiwiY

  
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

 
Polles Fire Public Information 

 
Public Line: (928) 351-7723‬
 
Media Line: (928) 351-7596 Email: 2020.polles@firenet.gov 
 
Inciweb:  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/ 
 
Tonto NF Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/ 
 
Tonto NF Twitter:  twitter.com/TontoForest 
 
Tonto NF Website:  www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

Stage III Fire Restrictions and Forest Closure
Date(s): Jun 30, 2020 - Jul 31, 2020

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POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 5, 2020

Fire containment is 100%, 5,430 acres.

Fire containment is 85%, 5,430 acres. Fire is smoldering in heavy grass and mesquite. Crews are mopping up hot spots with engines and improving all the lines.

Fire containment is 50%, estimated 4,500 acres. Fire crews will continue to construct, improve, and patrol containment lines.