Containment Increases, Crews Begin Restoration of Containment Line

Containment At 76 Percent, Crews Begin Restoration of Containment Lines

Location: 5 miles west of Sawmill, AZ
Resources: 439 personnel
Cause: Lightning
Percent containment: 76%
Size: 12,861 acres
Vegetation: Pińon-Juniper, ponderosa pine, sage, grasses
Fire activity: Yá’át’ééh abiní.

Firefighters held the fire west of Route 7 and north of the powerlines, and today began to restore areas disturbed by containment and suppression efforts. Crews still have much work to finish, even with 76 percent containment. Hot, dry, and windy conditions in Tuesday’s forecast could increase fire activity, according to fire behavior analysts. Crews have been able to complete fire line from the southwest corner up the west side of the fire to N 26, and on the southeast side up to Sage House Wash, which in west of Oak Creek Mountain. Crews have also built approximately 2-3 miles of fire line on the north end between Monument Canyon north to Route 7 and along Route 7. There are still several sections of uncontained fire line on the west side of the fire across Monument Canyon, and on the eastern side of the fire south of N 26. Crews continue to improve fire line south of N 26 on the eastern side to prevent the fire from moving toward the powerlines or residences.  Crews will begin to restore land disturbed by containment efforts, and monitor areas inside the fire that are still burning. Crews reported one outbuilding (a shed, barn, or outhouse) and another corral destroyed today. In total, five corrals and two outbuildings are reported destroyed, and a hogan took minor fire damage. Structure assessment will continue as it becomes safer for firefighters to enter burned areas. Cooperation on fire containment and related operations continues between fire personnel and local, tribal, and federal agencies.

Communities Affected: The fire occurs in the Nazlini and Kinlichee Chapters of the Navajo Nation.  Portions of both of these chapters in the Fluted Rock area remain on high alert for evacuation due to the fire.

Smoke: As containment increases, smoke is expected to decrease. There are still areas of green islands inside the fire edge that could ignite and put up smoke as the weather gets hotter over the next few days. Full smoke report: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/NEArizona.

Weather: Higher temperatures, increased dryness and high winds could increase fire activity.

Values: Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities. The fire area includes multiple communities, power lines, sheep and horse camps, and cultural and historical sites, which firefighters are working hard to protect.

Closures and Restrictions: An executive closure order for the fire area is in place. The general public should avoid the wildfire area so as not to interfere with firefighting efforts. Navajo Route 7 between Sawmill and Three Turkey Ruin Junction remains closed.  N 26 also remains closed from where it intersects N27 out to Route 7. Roads that remain open are N27 and N201.

More Info: Official Wood Springs 2 Fire information can be found on Facebook at BIA Wildland Fire Management – Navajo Region @BIANavajoRegion.

Fire Perimeter Sees No Growth  

Location: 5 miles west of Sawmill, AZ 
Resources: 427 personnel 
Cause: Lightning 
Percent containment: 51%
Size: 12,840 acres
Vegetation: Pińon-Juniper, ponderosa pine, sage, grasses  

Fire activity: Yá’át’ééh abiní. The fire perimeter saw no growth yesterday and continues to stay west of Route 7 and north of the powerlines. There is a high potential for spot fires today because of the increased temperatures, lack of measurable rain and low relative humidity. An executive closure order is in place around the fire and the general public is reminded to avoid the area so as to not interfere with firefighting efforts. The unmanned aerial surveillance (UAS) aircraft (aka drone) has concluded firing operations for the time being. Large pockets of unburned vegetation inside the perimeter of the fire will continue to ignite today, potentially putting up visible smoke columns. Aircraft and ground crews will be on the lookout for spot fires, where embers are carried by the wind and start new fires beyond the fire line. Crews still have plenty of work ahead of them, as they continue to build, maintain and secure fire lines in the northwest portions of the fire and along the KV powerline. Firefighters are working with local resource personnel to identify any suppression repair work needed to begin restoring the land to it’s previous condition prior to firefighters suppression actions on the fire. In total, four corrals and an outbuilding (a shed, barn, or outhouse) were destroyed, and a hogan had minor fire damage. Structure assessment will continue to occur when it is safe for firefighters to enter. Cooperation on fire containment and related operations continues between fire personnel and local, tribal, and federal agencies. 

Containment At 42 Percent, Drone Use Effective

Location: 5 miles west of Sawmill, AZ
Resources: 439 personnel
Cause: Lightning
Percent containment: 42%
Size: 12,840 acres
Vegetation: Pińon-Juniper, ponderosa pine, sage, grasses

Fire activity: Yá’át’ééh abiní. Firefighters continue to hold the fire west of Route 7 and north of the powerlines, and were able to make significant progress on July 4th. Crews still have plenty of work ahead of them, as the northwest portion of the fire remains active and other areas need to be patrolled and fire line secured. Fire behavior analysts expect the potential for continued fire activity to increase as dryer air and higher temperatures impact the fire today. On the west portion of the fire south of N-26, crews strengthened and secured containment lines. With the area mostly secure, personnel from that flank prepared to engage work and supplement crews elsewhere on the fire. North of N-26 on the western side of the fire, crews continued to secure lines cut by hand and lines created by bulldozers, as an unmanned aerial surveillance (UAS) aircraft (aka drone) fired ping-pong-ball-like spheres that ignite when they hit the ground in an attempt to burn out a peninsula of unburned fuel in the fire interior. This will help secure fire lines on the northwest corner of the fire. Along Route 7 north of Oak Creek Mountain, crews continued to maintain and secure fire containment lines. South of that, crews on the southeast side of the fire continued to clean up hot spots and push the fire into the interior. Crews reported no additional structures damaged yesterday. In total, four corrals, an outbuilding (a shed, barn, or outhouse) were destroyed, and a hogan had minor fire damage. Structure assessment will continue to occur when it is safe for firefighters to enter. Cooperation on fire containment and related operations continues between fire personnel and local, tribal, and federal agencies. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez closed the fire area to the public, to assist fire personnel. While smoke may be less visible there is still flames and the potential for the fire to cross containment lines.

Communities Affected: The communities of Sawmill and Fluted Rock remain on high alert. Please continue to be ready. If you are asked to evacuate, please contact your local chapter house for information on evacuation shelters.

Smoke: There should be less smoke produced today. Some remaining fuels will continue to produce smoke, particularly near the northern edge of the fire. With light winds, the smoke is likely to linger in low lying areas and places closest to the fire. Smoke could be dense overnight and in the early morning hours. Unhealthy air quality levels are expected near Sawmill. People within sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Full smoke report: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/NEArizona.
 
Weather: Higher temperatures, drier air, and a shift in wind direction could increase fire activity today.

Values: Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities. The fire area includes multiple communities, power lines, sheep and horse camps, and cultural and historical sites, which firefighters are working hard to protect.

Closures and Restrictions: An executive closure order for the fire area is in place. The general public should avoid the wildfire area so as not to interfere with firefighting efforts. Road Closures: Navajo Route 7 is closed from Sawmill to Three Turkey Ruin Junction and N26 is closed from where it intersects N27 out to Route 7. Roads that remain open are N27 and N201.

More Info: Official Wood Springs 2 Fire information can be on Facebook at BIA Wildland Fire Management – Navajo Region @BIANavajoRegion. Ahéhee’

Containment Jumps to 30 Percent

 Full Smoke Report for July 4, 2020

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 007-20

EXECUTIVE ORDER CLOSURE OF NAVAJO NATION LAND DUE TO FIRE DANGER

NAVAJO NATION OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT JULY 2, 2020

WHEREAS:

The President of the Navajo Nation serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Executive Branch of the Navajo Nation government with full authority to conduct, supervise, and coordinate personnel and program matters. 2.N.N.C. §1005 (A);

The President shall have the power to issue an executive order for the purpose of interpreting, implementing or giving administrative effect to statutes of the Navajo Nation in the manner set forth in such statutes. 2.N.N.C. §1005 (C)(14);

The President may order any area of Navajo Nation land closed to entry by the general public due the danger of fire. 17 N.N.C. § 2701

An Executive Order shall have the force of law upon the recipient. 2 N.N.C. § 1005(C)(14).

THEREFORE:

I, Jonathan Nez, President of the Navajo Nation and I, Myron Lizer, Vice President of the Navajo Nation, by the authority vested in us, hereby issue the following order:

With the advice of the Navajo Nation Forestry the area known as the Wood Spring 2 Fire shall be closed to entry by the general public to keep the firefighters and public safe, See attached map for closure area; in addition:

This closure order prohibits all non-fire related and unnecessary travel within the identified area; and

This closure order does not prohibit persons who reside in the closed area from going to and from their homes provided that their travel does not constitute an unreasonable fire hazard, if the officials in charge of the fire area determine residents are in danger they will instruct the residents to leave immediately for their safety;

and

This closure order does not prohibit officers and employees of the United States or the Navajo Nation from entering the closed area in performing their official duties; and

This closure order does not prohibit grantees of rights-of-way from entering the closed area for the purpose of maintenance of their right-of-way and this closure order prohibits and restricts the use of any road right of way by the general public.

2. The Navajo Nation Forestry Department, Navajo Nation Public Safety, and Navajo Nation Resource Enforcement Agency are responsible for implementing and ensuring compliance with this order and any persons who does not comply with the directions of the Navajo Nation Public Safety Officer or other Navajo Nation official will be subject to criminal penalty.

The provisions of this order shall be implemented consistent with the laws of the Navajo Nation and in a manner that provides for the safety of the Navajo People.

EXECUTED this 2nd day of July 2020

South Side of the Fire Sees No Significant Growth

 Full Smoke Report for July 3, 2020

 Full Smoke Report for July 2, 2020