Bringham Fire Video Update for June 19, 2020 with Operations Section Chief Buck Wickham is available on Facebook at: https://bit.ly/3hHZjbN 

 Bringham Fire – June 19, 2020 Daily Update 

Fire managers have increased the containment of the Bringham Fire from 5% to 20% to reflect the hard work done by firefighters along the southern end of the fire and portions of Highway 191. Firefighters continue to patrol the containment lines and keep a watchful eye out for any fire activity. Weather will become hotter and drier over the weekend and into next week, with increasing temperatures and no chance for precipitation. Today strong winds will continue to test the containment of the Bringham Fire with possible gusts up to 25 miles per hour. Skies will remain mostly clear, although the Bringham Fire area may be impacted from smoke from other large fires in the region. 

Numerous management action points have been established throughout the fire planning area to signify when and where the next action is needed. If the fire was to reach any of these points, a corresponding pre-planned action would be initiated. Firefighters are continuing to mitigate the threat of the fire crossing Highway 191 by scouting for renewed fire activity, chipping cut limbs and other vegetation, and preparing to burnout if necessary. Crews are focusing on those structures in close proximity to the fire’s edge and prioritizing their protection. Although spot fires have occurred across Strayhorse Creek, aircraft were used to limit any further spread. If fire becomes established in Strayhorse Canyon, it may prompt the need to conduct burnout operations to remove excess fuel in the path of the advancing fire.  

For the protection of the public and our firefighters, Highway 191 is closed in both directions between Mile Marker 189 (just past Juan Miller Road) and Mile Marker 225 (Blue Vista). This closure will remain in place through June 21, 2020 and may be extended as firefighters continue to secure the road corridor. Fire managers and local Forest Service personnel are currently working together to identify when it would be safe to reopen Highway 191 to the public. At this time, fire personnel are continuing to use Highway 191 to transport crews, supplies and equipment to and from the incident. Members of the public are advised to drive with caution and leave roadways clear for emergency vehicles and equipment to pass. More information can be found at https://azdot.gov/adot-news/us-191-closed-eastern-arizona-mountains-due-bringham-fire.  

Fire Information Officers are available from 8:00AM to 8:00PM to respond to questions via phone at (928) 288-2154 or email at 2020.bringham@firenet.gov. Additional fire information can be found at the following links: 

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6747/ 

• Facebook (updates and daily operational videos): https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/ 

• Interactive Bringham Fire Map: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/BringhamFireWebMap  

• Temporary Closure Order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprd3793918 

• Southwest Region Smoke Outlook: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthwesternRegion  

Bringham Fire Video Update for June 18, 2020 with Operations Section Chief Buck Wickham is available on Facebook at https://bit.ly/30VHwHW

Bringham Fire – June 18, 2020 Daily Update

Bringham Fire Video Update for June 17, 2020 with Operations Section Chief Buck Wickham is available on Facebook at https://bit.ly/2YeMZYZ

Bringham Fire – June 17, 2020 Daily Update

In addition to managing the Bringham Fire, the Incident Management Team has assumed responsibility for initial attack of any new fire starts on the Clifton Ranger District. Yesterday’s lightning activity resulted in a new fire start within the area, officially named the Pinal Fire. Bringham Fire resources are assisting the local Springerville Type 2 Initial Attack (IA) Crew in suppressing this new fire, located approximately 8 miles south of Four Bar Mesa. Once the fire was spotted, the Springerville IA Crew began hiking into the area while the Type 2 helicopter transported a crew of four rappelers to provide rapid response to the new fire. A Type 1 helicopter provided additional support by dropping water buckets to slow fire spread ahead of the incoming firefighters. Both the Springerville IA Crew and the rappelers worked throughout the night to contain the fire and will continue these efforts today. The estimated fire size is one quarter acre.

As fire activity increases throughout the Southwest, incident management teams must work together to share resources and identify the greatest need and best use for crews and equipment. With multiple large fires burning across the region, the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 has transferred some of their personnel, including multiple Type 1 hotshot crews, to support larger and more complex incidents such as the Bush Fire on the Tonto National Forest. This coordination allows fire managers to allocate resources equitably and serve the unique needs of each incident.

Bringham Fire Video Update for June 16, 2020 with Operations Section Chief Buck Wickham is available on Facebook at https://bit.ly/2N3q0th.

Bringham Fire – June 16, 2020 Daily Update

Scattered dry thunderstorms moved over the fire area yesterday, bringing a slight drop in temperatures and an increase in cloud cover. The increased humidity continued to moderate fire behavior, as minimal fire spread was observed. Although no significant activity was detected on the fire’s edge, interior pockets of vegetation continue to burn through the grass and brush beneath the forested canopy.

Increased cloud cover prevented the National Infrared Operations pilot from flying over the fire area last night. These pilots capture high resolution airborne infrared imagery and fire detection data that informs the acreage numbers reported to the public and fire managers. As a result of last night’s weather, no infrared mapping was completed therefore the reported acreage remains the same. The Incident Management Team will report updated acreage as soon as an infrared flight can be safely conducted.

Fire managers are working to identify strategic locations to hold the fire in place, including those areas previously burned in past wildfires where fuels are limited and the potential for fire spread is low. As they continue to monitor all sides of the fire, crews are prepared to conduct burnout operations if the fire approaches any areas of concern. Based on the predicted thunderstorm activity, firefighters do not expect to see a significant change in fire behavior today. An incoming drying trend is expected midweek, bringing rising temperatures and lower humidity over the fire area. Limited fire activity over the past few days has allowed firefighters to get ahead of the anticipated fire growth and prepare for the increased activity that may come with the rising temperatures.

For the protection of the public and our firefighters, Highway 191 is closed in both directions between Mile Marker 189 (just past Juan Miller Road) and Mile Marker 225 (Blue Vista). This closure will remain in place through June 21, 2020 and may be extended as firefighters continue to secure the road corridor. Fire personnel are using Highway 191 to travel to and from the incident, and to transport important supplies and equipment. Members of the public are advised to drive with caution and leave roadways clear for emergency vehicles and equipment to pass.  More information can be found at https://azdot.gov/adot-news/us-191-closed-eastern-arizona-mountains-due-bringham-fire.

Fire Information Officers are available from 8:00AM to 8:00PM to respond to questions via phone at (928) 288-2154 or email at 2020.bringham@firenet.gov. Additional fire information can be found at the following links:

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6747/

• Facebook (updates and daily operational videos): https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/

• Interactive Bringham Fire Map: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/BringhamFireWebMap

• Temporary Closure Order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprd3793918

Bringham Fire Video Update for June 15, 2020 with Operations Section Chief Buck Wickham is available on Facebook at https://bit.ly/30JThBf.

With the cooler temperatures moderating fire behavior, firefighters were able to begin assessing the risks to structures, including several cabins and ranch houses in area. A helicopter repel crew was flown into the Blue River corridor to begin structure protection efforts and create defensible space around the cabins. Future protection measures may include using aluminum structure wrap to protect the buildings from radiant heat and embers, if the fire were to move further in their direction.

The fire remains most active in the area around Red Mountain, burning through grasses and brush that make up the understory layer of timber forests. Firefighters are scouting for natural features such as ridgelines, trails and areas with exposed rock and sparse vegetation that could serve as holding lines. As crews monitor fire activity along Highway 191 and the area around Rose Peak, helicopters may assist ground crews by dropping water buckets to cool the fire’s edge. Crews continue to make progress along the highway, extinguishing any fires that threaten to cross over to the western side.

For the protection of the public and our firefighters, Highway 191 is closed in both directions between Mile Marker 189 (just past Juan Miller Road) and Mile Marker 225 (Blue Vista). This closure will remain in place through June 21, 2020 and may be extended as firefighters continue to secure the road corridor. Motorists should adjust travel plans accordingly. More information can be found at https://azdot.gov/adot-news/us-191-closed-eastern-arizona-mountains-due-bringham-fire.

Fire Information Officers are available from 8:00AM to 8:00PM to respond to questions via phone at (928) 288-2154 or email at 2020.bringham@firenet.gov. Additional fire information can be found at the following links:

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6747/

• Facebook (updates and daily operational videos): https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/

• Interactive Bringham Fire Map: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/BringhamFireWebMap

• Temporary Closure Order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprd3793918

• Southwest Region Smoke Outlook: https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/SouthwesternRegion