Ignitions begin Wednesday January 8 on the Hill Pile Burn unit in the Jemez Ranger District Santa Fe, N.M.

January 7, 2025 — On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, fire managers from the Jemez Ranger District will begin ignitions on 7-acres of the Hill Pile Burn unit. The project is located along Forest Road 376 on the hillside adjacent to Fogon Canyon approximately 3 miles from the junction with NM State Road 126. Fire managers are planning one day of ignitions and smoke may be visible from the community of Gilman. 

Jemez Ranger District fire staff are also tentatively planning ignitions on the 17-acre San Diego Egress Pile Burn unit on January 9 and 10, depending on snow accumulation and forecast weather. The project is located adjacent to Ponderosa Road and NM State Road 4, 2 miles north of The Village of Jemez Springs. 

Over the coming months, fire managers will continue to look for ideal weather conditions to conduct pile burn projects throughout the forest. The decision to proceed with each pile burn will depend on several factors, including snowpack, air quality, ventilation, forecast weather conditions, wind, and resource availability. 

Once pile burn projects are completed, resources will shift towards patrolling and monitoring these units. Fire crews will utilize infrared detection devices, such as handheld thermal cameras and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (fixed-wing or drones), to assist in determining when to call the pile burns out. 

To learn more about these prescribed fire projects contact the Jemez District Office by phone (575) 829-3535 or visit the office at 51 Woodsy Lane, Jemez Springs, NM 87025. To learn more about Santa Fe National Forest Fire Management visit the SFNF website, NM Fire Info, Inciweb, and SFNF social media (Facebook and X). 

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Start Date: Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, at 10:25 p.m. 

Location: near the I-210 Freeway and Yarnell St. in Sylmar, CA

Unified Command: Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County Fire, Los Angele Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff, CAL FIRE

Fire Size: 505 acres 

Percent Contained: 0% 

Personnel: 250

Cause: Under investigation

CURRENT SITUATION: 

On Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, at 10:25 p.m. firefighters responded to a brush fire reported near the 210 Freeway and Yarnell St. in Sylmar, CA. Overnight firefighters fought aggressively and were challenged by extreme weather and fire behavior. Today crews will be focusing on establishing control lines along the 210 Freeway north of the Santa Clara Divide Road. They will also continue reinforcing control lines behind structures along Foothill Boulevard and the 210 Freeway.

A red flag warning remains in effect for the area until 6:00 p.m. Thursday. A high wind watch is in effect until 6:00 p.m. this evening. The Los Angeles Fire Department is in unified command with the Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff, and CAL FIRE. 

Evacuation Map: For the most up-to-date Evacuation information visit Protect Genasys using the link: https://protect.genasys.com/zones/US-CA-XLA-PAS-E019?z=14.003579616721366&latlon=34.16776191835291%2C-118.08215038964448

Road Closures:

• https://pw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/
• https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Fire Information:

InciWeb Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-hurst-fire

Angeles National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles

LA County Fire Department: https://fire.lacounty.gov/

Los Angeles Fire Department: https://lafd.org/

Cold weather event reduces fire behavior; Containment continues to increase. 

Daily Update: January 8, 2025

Acres: 8,337 

Containment: 23% 

Start Date: December 14, 2024
Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona 

Cause: Under Investigation
Personnel: 525

Fuels: Timber, chaparral
Resources: 8 crews | 32 engines | 3 helicopters | 1 bulldozers | 4 water tenders

Highlights: Today’s change in the weather has brought colder temperatures and higher winds into the area. This incoming weather has diminished fire activity, and fire crews are continuing full suppression strategies on the Horton Fire. Yesterday and overnight, firefighters addressed unburned areas on the interior of the fire while also holding and patrolling the edge of the fire, especially along the western edge and the SR-260 corridor.
 

Smoke: Smoke and flames continue to be visible in the area. Visibility may be poor at times. For more information on local smoke impacts, visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/.

Operations: Fire crews will continue patrolling and monitoring the western and southern edges of the fire while also scouting the fire perimeter on the northern and eastern edges today. Work will continue in the interior of the fire, addressing unburned pockets of fuels and hazardous areas where it is safe and appropriate to do so. For this next operational period, firefighters are scouting and preparing the northern and eastern edges of the fire as this cold weather system moves through the area.

Weather: It will be cold today, with average temperatures in the area rising to the mid-20s. Winds are also expected to increase out of the northeast at 18-22 mph and gusting to 35 mph. There is a minimal chance of precipitation. Fire behavior is expected to diminish with this colder weather and possible precipitation, but it is not expected to extinguish the fire.

TFR: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR 5/0461) is in place for the Horton Fire through January 31. More information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_5_0461.html.

Evacuations, Road Closures and Forest Orders: The communities of Christopher Creek, Hunter Creek, R-C Scout Camp, Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery, Kohls Ranch, and Zane Grey Cabins are in SET evacuation status. The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area. Visit https://www.facebook.com/GCPHCS/ for more information on evacuation notifications.

Temporary lane closures are occurring on SR-260 due to smoke from the Horton Fire. Travelers are encouraged to monitor roadway status and conditions via AZ Department of Transportation at https://www.az511.com/.

A Forest closure order is in effect to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire as well as protecting firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. More information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

Horton Fire reaches SR-260 after successful firing operations; Containment increases. 
Daily Update: January 7, 2025

Size: 7,032

Cause: Under Investigation

Containment: 19%

Start Date: December 14, 2024

Location:  Payson Ranger District, Arizona                                                                           

Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral

Resources: 8 crews | 32 engines | 3 helicopters | 1 bulldozers | 4 water tenders

Highlights: It was a successful 24 hours on the Horton Fire, with ground and aerial fire crews implementing firing operations along the side of the Mogollon Rim, from Horton Creek to Christopher Creek. The Horton Fire is now down to the SR-260 corridor between those two drainages, a significant step in the full suppression strategy of securing the Horton Fire on its western and southern edges. Firefighters will work today on securing and patrolling the fire prior to incoming weather changes.  
 

Smoke: Smoke and flames continue to be visible in the area and can be seen from State Route 260. Visibility may be poor at times, especially in the late evening and early morning with current temperatures and inversions. For more information on local smoke impacts, visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/.
 

Operations: Crews will continue working on securing and monitor the fireline while mitigating hazards today, ahead of predicted weather changes and increasing winds. With this shift in the weather, ground and aerial resources are expected to transition from active firing operations to patrolling and monitoring the Horton Fire during the weather event. Crews will still be working on the fire on both day and night shifts, including structure protection crews in local neighborhoods such as Tonto Estates and Christopher Creek. 

Weather: Temperatures will range from mid-30s to low-40s with winds at 12-20mph, gusting from 25-30mph,  and relative humidity up to 30%. There is a potential for traces of precipitation today, which could become light showers or flurries depending on temperatures this afternoon. Members of the public are encouraged to practice additional caution today, as roads may become icy. 

TFR: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR 5/0461) is in place for the Horton Fire through January 31. More information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_5_0461.html. 

Evacuations, Road Closures and Forest Orders: The communities of Christopher Creek, Hunter Creek, R-C Scout Camp, Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery, Kohls Ranch, and Zane Grey Cabins are in SET evacuation status. The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area.

Temporary lane closures are occurring due to the Horton Fire when reduced visibility due to smoke occurs on SR-260. Travelers are encouraged to monitor roadway status and conditions via AZ Department of Transportation at https://www.az511.com/.

A Forest closure order is in effect to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire as well as protecting firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. More information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

Larimer County, Canyon Lakes Ranger District - Week of Jan 7 to Jan 13, 2025

Fire managers plan to burn piles on Canyon Lakes Ranger District starting as early as tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan 7, if conditions allow. The potential units planned for this week is as follows:

Cow Creek: Machine piles. 4 miles west of Crystal Lakes subdivision at the intersection of FSR 169 (Pearl Beaver Road) and FSR 199.

Elkhorn 3: Machine Piles. 3 miles southwest of Red Feather Lakes and west along FSR 517 (Bald Mountain Road).

Pierson Park: Hand piles. 3.5 miles southeast of Estes Park along Pierson Park Road and Johnny Park Road. (likely delayed to next week)

Boulder and Gilpin Counties, Boulder Ranger District - Week of Jan 7 to Jan 13, 2025

Fire managers are monitoring conditions to burn piles in Boulder Ranger District, with the next possible ignitions window starting on Wednesday, January 8, in the following Boulder and Gilpin County locations:

Forsythe II Unit 44: Hand piles west of Gross Reservoir, 2 miles north of Wondervu and .5 miles south of Lazy Z.

Lump Gulch Units 27 & 37: Hand piles ½ mile north of Highway 119 and South Beaver Creek Road intersection, near Pine Drive

Lump Gulch Unit 35: Hand piles 2 miles south of Rollinsville on the west side of Highway 119.

Lump Gulch Unit 18: Hand piles .5 miles north of Rollinsville on the west side of Highway 119.

Lump Gulch Unit 38: Hand piles off of South Beaver Creek Road on the south side. 1 miles northeast of Highway 119 and the South Beaver Creek Road intersection.

Jefferson County, Clear Creek Ranger District - Week of Jan 7 to Jan 13, 2025

Fire managers are monitoring conditions to burn piles in Clear Creek Ranger District, with the next possible ignitions window starting on Wednesday, January 8, in the following Jefferson County location:

Evergreen: Hand piles Cub Creek Trailhead, 5 miles southwest of Evergreen.

Acreage increases as fire grows towards handlines and control features; Public meeting tonight
Daily Update: January 6, 2025

Size: 3,598 acres 
Cause: Under Investigation 
Containment: 17% 
Total personnel: 457 
Start Date: December 14, 2024 
Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona 
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral
Resources:    8 crews | 32 engines | 3 helicopters | 1 bulldozer | 4 water tenders

Highlights: Firefighters were successful yesterday and last night in bringing the fire off the rim and closer to established control lines north of SR-260, east of Horton Creek, and west of Christopher Creek. With today’s predicted favorable weather conditions and as part of the full suppression tactics for the Horton Fire, crews plan on continuing strategic burning operations to secure the fire perimeter near neighborhoods and along SR-260.  

A public meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 546 W Ashby Apple Dr., Payson, AZ 85541. Livestream available on the Tonto National Forest Facebook page. 

Smoke: Smoke and flames continue to be visible in surrounding areas and from SR- 260. For more information on local smoke impacts, visit https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/. 

Operations: Crews will continue work around Promontory Point today and tonight. On the western side, crews continue strengthening the control line along the Horton Creek Trail and in the Tonto Creek Estates area. On the eastern side, crews are working in the Christopher Creek area, bringing fire along ridgelines for increased protection of the Christopher Creek neighborhood. Aviation resources, both helicopters and drones, are working in between these two drainages to help remove ground fuels and move this fire as safely and securely as possible through the forested areas.   

Weather: For the Horton Fire area, temperatures will rise a few degrees in the afternoon compared to Sunday. This warming will work to bring down humidity. Winds will be generally light, favoring terrain influences for its direction. Moisture will improve modestly overnight as the next weather system begins. A strong inversion will set up tonight which in the presence of light winds and better humidity may create visibility impacts.   

TFR: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR 5/0461) is in place for the Horton Fire through January 31. More information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_5_0461.html.  

Evacuations, Road Closures and Forest Orders: The communities of Christopher Creek, Hunter Creek, R-C Scout Camp, Tonto Creek Estates, Tonto Christian Camp, Tonto Fish Hatchery, Kohls Ranch, and Zane Grey Cabins are in SET evacuation status. Highway closures are not currently in effect due to the Horton Fire, however reduced visibility due to smoke on SR-260 is possible. The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area. Travelers should monitor roadway status and conditions via AZ Department of Transportation at https://www.az511.com/.  

A Forest closure order is in effect to protect public health and safety during the Horton Fire as well as protecting firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. More information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.