Smaller Sunflower Fire backing down

Sunflower Fire News Release

May 21, 2012 6:00 a.m.

Acres:  16,105                                                    

Start date:  May 12, 2012

Cause:  Under Investigation                        

Location:  21 miles south of Payson

Containment: 33 percent                            

Fuels:  Grass, chaparral, pinion pine

Terrain:  Steep, rugged                                  

Resources:  5 crews, 12 engines, 1 dozer, 6 water tenders

Total personnel: 365                                       

Available air support:  6 helicopters, 6 air tankers

Summary: Burned acreage was reduced by 588 acres yesterday due to more accurate information received from the field.  Low fire behavior was reported in all divisions of the Sunflower Fire as crews continued to reinforce control lines and remove unneeded equipment and supplies.  Dead trees burning sporadically in the remote, rugged terrain of the Mazatzal Wilderness may lead to long term fire operations and possible long duration of smoke impacts in surrounding communities.

Passing motorists on State Route 87 may notice distant smoke as fire burning within control lines slowly backs into steep drainages.  Travelers on that road are cautioned to stay alert, obey speed limit signs and be aware of emergency vehicles moving onto and along the roadway.

As the holiday weekend approaches, residents and visitors are reminded that fire danger is extremely high.  Fire restrictions remain in effect on the Tonto National Forest.

For statewide road conditions and closures please go to www.az511.gov or dial 5-1-1 from any landline or mobile phone from anywhere in Arizona.  (From outside Arizona, dial 1-888-411-ROAD (7623) or 602-523-0244).

For further information on the fire restrictions in the Tonto National Forest go to www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.

Sunflower Fire Update

May 20, 2012 6:00 p.m.

Acres:  16,032                                     

Start date:  May 12, 2012

Cause:  Under Investigation               

Location:  21 miles south of Payson

Containment: 33 percent                     

Fuels:  Grass, chaparral, pinion pine

Terrain:  Steep, rugged                        

Resources:  5 crews, 12 engines, 1 dozer, 6 water tenders

Total personnel: 367                            

Available air support:  6 helicopters, 6 air tankers

Summary:

Crews working along the south and west end of the fire monitored fire behavior, secured existing containment lines, and mopped up hot spots.  Minimal fire activity was observed in both northern and southern sections along the fire perimeter.  Smoke continues to linger in canyons to the north, predominately in Deer Creek Canyon.  One firefighter was treated for multiple bee stings.  Reduced fire acres are the result of additional information provided from the fire line today. 

8:00 A.M.  May 20, 2012

Bull Flat Fire Update

Sunday, May 20

Fire Facts

Date started: May 10, 2012	Number of personnel: 253
Location: Fort Apache Agency and Tonto NF	Equipment: 10 engines, 2 dozers, 3 water tenders
Cause:  Lightning	Aircraft: 1 light
Size: 2,145 acres	Hand Crews:  1 type-2
Percent contained: 90	Estimated containment date: May 20, 2012
Injuries to date: 0	Estimated cost to date: $2,387,013
Jurisdiction:  Fort Apache Agency, and the Pleasant Valley Ranger District, Tonto National Forest

Fire Activity:  Firefighters will continue to monitor the perimeter of the Bull Flat Fire today. Crews will also continue rehabilitation efforts on dozer lines and construct erosion control barriers to help stabilize the outside edge of the fire. The Eastern Arizona Team will transfer command of the incident to a local area Type-4 team at 8 p.m. today. Demobilization of excess personnel and equipment is continuing.

This is fire season in the Southwest. In hot, dry, windy conditions, please remember that any spark or ember can ignite the vegetation you are in or around and that spark can spread dangerously fast. To improve your safety during fire season you should consider creating or improving the defensible space around your home, build a plan to evacuate your family if the need arises and be ready to go if local authorities consider it your best option. The “Ready, Set, Go” Program (RSG) is a great tool for fire season preparation, giving personal empowerment for your own safety.

For additional information go to www.firewise.org, www.ready.gov

and RSG at:  http://wildlandfirersg.org

 

Closures/Restrictions:.

• The Tonto National Forest Temporary Area Closure for the Bull Flat Fire will remain in effect as posted, until further notice.
• Both the Tonto National Forest and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest have implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. For more information regarding forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, please contact the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200, or check online at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto, or www.fs.usda.gov/asnf/.