Fire Facts:
- Wallow Fire All Zones:
- Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee Counties, Arizona
- Date Started: 05/29/2011
- Cause: Human - under investigation
- Size: 430,171 acres total
- Percent Contained: 5%
- Injuries to Date: 6
- Total Personnel: 3,208
- Includes 20 hotshot crews; 45 hand crews
- Residences: 2,714 threatened; 29 destroyed; 5 damaged
- Commercial Property: 473 threatened; 4 destroyed
- Outbuildings: 34 destroyed; 1 damaged
- Reduction in total personnel is the result of demobilization of a Type 2 team and refined documentation across the incident
Fire Update
- The fire is 5% contained, with containment lines established on the fires northeast side. Improved weather conditions allowed for successful burnout operations along the 273 road near Greer, in Water Canyon south of Eager, and northeast of Alpine. Today's activities include structure protection, continued burnout and mop operations to strengthening containment lines, and patrol for spot fires. Burnout operations will continue into New Mexico east of Luna along Highway 220.
- Burnout operations may be limited due to Red Flag warning that has been issued for today from 1 PM to 8 PM for gusty south-southwest winds 15-25 mph, low relative humidity, and unstable air mass over the fire.
- One hundred and seventeen law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions are working with the incident to ensure public and firefighter safety, as well as protection of property during evacuations.
Public Safety
According to the State of Arizona, air quality in the Springer-Eager area is currently considered extremely hazardous. Residents with respiratory problems in the path of smoke may want to consider relocating temporarily until smoke dissipates. Motorists should exercise caution due to reduced visibility.
Community Meetings Today
- Show Low Area, 10 a.m., at Blue Ridge High School, 1200 W. White Mtn. Blvd., Pinetop/Lakeside
- St. Johns, Arizona, 1 p.m., at St. Johns Middle School
- Vernon, Arizona, 3:30 p.m., at Vernon School
- San Carlos, Arizona, 10 a.m. at San Carlos Tribal Center
- White River, Arizona, 6 p.m. at White Mountain Apache, Tribal Council Chambers
Current Evacuations
- Full evacuation of Eagar and Springerville continues due to fire activity and health risks associated with air quality.
- Sunrise, Greer, Blue River, Alpine, Nutrioso, and the following subdivisions along highways 180/191: Escudilla Mountain Estates, Bonita, White Mtn. Acres, and the H-V Ranch. This area includes County Road (CR) 4000, CR 4001, and CR 4225.
Evacuee Information
- The evacuation center is located at Blue Ridge High School, 1200 W. White Mtn. Blvd., Pinetop/Lakeside. The center phone number is (602) 336-6660.
- Evacuees of Eagar and Springerville may pick up their mail at Whipple Ranch Elementary School, 1350 N. Central Avenue, in Show Low, AZ, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
- Residents with livestock or animals that need care should contact the Apache County Sheriff's Office (928) 337-4321 or the Greenlee County Sheriff's Office (928) 865-4149.
Pre-Evacuation Alert
- A pre-evacuation alert continues in Apache County for Greens Peak, Hidden Meadows Lodge and the surrounding areas. A pre-evacuation alert continues for Catron County Sheriff's Office for Luna, New Mexico. Residents in the communities affected by this fire are asked to remain prepared to evacuate should an order be issued.
Road Closures according to Arizona Department of Transportation: http://www.azdot.gov
- State Route 373, a 4.5 mile-long highway that connects the town of Greer in eastern Arizona with SR 260 west of Eagar, is closed.
- US 191 is closed between Alpine and north of Clifton (mileposts 176-253).
- State Routes 261 and 273, the main access roads to Big Lake and Crescent Lake in the White Mountains, are closed. SR 261 is closed starting approximately seven miles south of SR 260 to Crescent Lake (mileposts 395-413). SR 273 is closed between the SR 260 junction and the SR 261 junction (mileposts 378-394).
- US 60 is closed between Springville to the New Mexico state line.
- SR 260 is closed east of Holly Lake Turn to Springville-Eager
- US 180 is closed between the SR 260 junction near Eagar and the New Mexico state line (mileposts 403-433).
Closures
- Due to extreme fire conditions, the Apache National Forest is closed. http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Fire Restrictions: A temporary emergency closure order Is in effective. For more information, please call the Arizona fire restrictions hotline (877) 864-6985 or visit http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php.
- Gila National Forest has issued a closure on the western side. See http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/gila
No comments:
Post a Comment