Location of Origin: 5 miles NW of Superior, AZ Jurisdiction: Tonto National Forest, AZ State Land
Start Date: June 8, 2019
Size: 37,765 acres Percent Contained: 0%
Personnel: 736
Cause: Human-Caused, Under Investigation

Today: As hot weather continues and humidity drops in the coming week, firefighters will continue to build on their previous accomplishments. Retardant drops conducted Sunday on the southwest side of the fire will be followed up with additional line establishment and helicopter work. This will be used to tie into previously burned areas and block further fire movement in that direction. This will strengthen protection for State and private lands, including the Quarter Circle Ranch and local communities.

The fire has been burning actively along its south and southeast perimeter in the rough and rocky terrain around Hewitt Ridge, and Iron, White and Pinto Mountains; smoke columns may be visible this afternoon. Fire can move quickly and burn with great intensity in the dense and highly flammable brush that grows in these areas. Helicopters are utilizing water drops to stop spread east into Reavis Canyon.

To the north in the Tortilla Creek area, hand crew work will help maintain gains of prior water drops, and ensure that the fire is kept to the south of State Highway 88. Helicopter water drops will be used to ensure that fire in Fish Canyon does not move north towards the Arizona Department of Transportation maintenance site. Plans for burn out operations along the State Highway 88 corridor are ready to be implemented as needed.

Defensive prep work continues along the fire’s northerly border to protect private property, recreations sites and infrastructure such power lines. The sprinkler system at Tortilla Flat is in place and a dozer line has been established at the IV Ranch. Infrastructure assessment and planning has been extended to the communities in the Roosevelt Lake area, along the eastern flank of the wilderness and in the State Highway 60 corridor. Heavy equipment is being used on the northeastern side of the fire to build line quickly and efficiently to protect Tonto National Monument and power lines.

Notice: The Incident Management Team will have a community meeting Tuesday, June 18th at 6 pm at the Gold Canyon United Methodist Church at 6640 S. Kings Ranch Road in Gold Canyon.

Closures: State Highway 88 is closed from Needle Vista east to the junction of State Highway 88 and State Highway 188. This includes Tortilla Flat, Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, and campsites along State Highway 88. The following areas remain open and accessible to the public: Lower Salt River, Saguaro Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Bartlett Lake, Tonto National Monument Visitor Center, Lost Dutchman State Park and Oak Flat Campground. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place.

In addition, to protect the public and to support firefighting activities, the Tonto National Forest has closed National Forest lands in and surrounding the Superstition Wilderness.   back...