August 05th, 2023
Location: Southwest of Sunflower Start Date: 07/22/2023 Cause: Under investigation
Size: 5,060 acres Containment: 50% Total Personnel: 90
Operational Update:
The Tonto National Forest Type 3 organization assumed command of the fire yesterday while the Southwest Incident Management Team demobilized from the incident. With the transition there was a significant decrease in resources from the fire. The type 3 team will staff the incident and continue with containment efforts, particularly on the southwest to northwest portion of the fire. This area is in very steep, rugged, rocky terrain and is still incredibly difficult for firefighters to access with a few heat signatures still lingering.
For today’s operational shift, resources will continue monitoring these challenging areas to ensure no residual heat is present. Aircraft will be available from Payson Helibase, as needed. Additionally, firefighters will rehabilitate handline and dozer line around the community of Sunflower and east of Indian Springs Canyon. A large amount of brush was removed from along the Old Beeline Highway, so an excavator and dump trailers are busy hauling brush out of the area. Lastly, additional hand crews and engines will remain on the fire monitoring areas of concern but will also serve as initial attack resources in the area in the event of new starts.
Closures, Evacuations & Restrictions:
The National Forest has issued a closure order for the fire area to provide public health and safety due to firefighting operations. The Old Beeline Hwy is closed to non-residents.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the final READY notification status for residents of Sunflower, Cross F Ranch, and Diamond Ranch. Evacuations are lifted.
There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area, which includes the use of drones (UAS). Flying a drone over a fire area is dangerous to pilots and will cause air operations to shut down. Flying a drone within the restricted area is also illegal.
The National Forest is currently under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Please see https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=81280 for more information.
Weather Outlook:
Weather patterns are trending hotter and drier with a return to triple digit temperatures and relative humidity dropping into low teens. In the event of new ignitions, current and forecasted weather will support very active fire behavior with dangerous rates of spread.
Inciweb page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/aztnf-2023-diamond-fire-tnf
To get the most up-to-date information about the Diamond Fire, follow us on Twitter @TontoForest or on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, or call the Tonto Fire Information Line at 602-525-1042. back...
Size: 5,060 acres Containment: 50% Total Personnel: 90
Operational Update:
The Tonto National Forest Type 3 organization assumed command of the fire yesterday while the Southwest Incident Management Team demobilized from the incident. With the transition there was a significant decrease in resources from the fire. The type 3 team will staff the incident and continue with containment efforts, particularly on the southwest to northwest portion of the fire. This area is in very steep, rugged, rocky terrain and is still incredibly difficult for firefighters to access with a few heat signatures still lingering.
For today’s operational shift, resources will continue monitoring these challenging areas to ensure no residual heat is present. Aircraft will be available from Payson Helibase, as needed. Additionally, firefighters will rehabilitate handline and dozer line around the community of Sunflower and east of Indian Springs Canyon. A large amount of brush was removed from along the Old Beeline Highway, so an excavator and dump trailers are busy hauling brush out of the area. Lastly, additional hand crews and engines will remain on the fire monitoring areas of concern but will also serve as initial attack resources in the area in the event of new starts.
Closures, Evacuations & Restrictions:
The National Forest has issued a closure order for the fire area to provide public health and safety due to firefighting operations. The Old Beeline Hwy is closed to non-residents.
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the final READY notification status for residents of Sunflower, Cross F Ranch, and Diamond Ranch. Evacuations are lifted.
There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area, which includes the use of drones (UAS). Flying a drone over a fire area is dangerous to pilots and will cause air operations to shut down. Flying a drone within the restricted area is also illegal.
The National Forest is currently under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Please see https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=81280 for more information.
Weather Outlook:
Weather patterns are trending hotter and drier with a return to triple digit temperatures and relative humidity dropping into low teens. In the event of new ignitions, current and forecasted weather will support very active fire behavior with dangerous rates of spread.
Inciweb page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/aztnf-2023-diamond-fire-tnf
To get the most up-to-date information about the Diamond Fire, follow us on Twitter @TontoForest or on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, or call the Tonto Fire Information Line at 602-525-1042. back...
