#WallowFire Final Update from Wallow Fire Area Command

Final Wallow Fire Update

from Wallow Fire Area Command

Day 35

July 4, 2011 

                          

Fire Facts:

Location:  - Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee, Counties, Arizona;  Catron County, New Mexico	Injuries to Date: 16
Fort Apache Indian Reservation,  San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation	Total Personnel: 579 Includes 0 hotshot crews; 8 handcrews
Date Started: 05/29/2011 Cause: Human – under investigation	Residences: 32 destroyed; 5 damaged
Size:  538,049 acres total; 15,407 acres in N.M.	Commercial Property: 4 destroyed
Percent Contained: 95% Resources: 2 Helicopter;    26 Engines; 10 Water Tenders; 9 Dozers	Outbuildings: 36 destroyed; 1 damaged Vehicles: 1 destroyed

Since the Wallow fire started on May 29, 2011 the fire suppression and repair activities have been managed by a series of fire teams from throughout the United States.  Due to the great work these teams and all of the other resources assigned to the fire have done, the fire was previously turned back to the White Mountain Apache Tribe and will be turned back to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest on July 5, 2011 to continue patrolling, mopping up and repairing areas of the fire damaged by fire suppression activities.  For further information contact:

·         Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest at 928-333-6263 or go to their web site at http://tinyurl.com/6fzvyax.

·         White Mountain Apache Tribe at 928-338 2502 or go to their web site at http://www.wmat.us.

Giving the management responsibilities back to the forests does not mean the fire is completely out.  Smoke may continue to be visible from interior fuels burning until a season ending rain event occurs.

Today both Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) crews and fire crews continue to remove woody debris from the East and West forks of the Little Colorado River.  Hazard tree removal continues on FR 81 in Auger Canyon, which was severely burned. “Feller-buncher” machinery and saw teams are removing dead trees that could fall across the road. The trees are placed in piles for removal at a later time.                       

High pressure over the area will continue to feed moisture into the region.   Moisture is moving over southern Apache and Navajo counties and will have the best chance for thunderstorm activity. These thunderstorms may create localized flash flooding particularly within or adjacent to the burn area.  Take appropriate precautions if a thunderstorm occurs in your vicinity.  Today’s temperatures will range from 76-85 degrees with 4-8 mph southwest wind.  Relative humidity will be near 20%.  There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Special Information:

·          Fourth of July fireworks at Sunrise Ski Area and Resort are cancelled.

·         Though the sale of ground and hand-held fireworks and their use in some locations is now legal in Arizona, please remember, fireworks are not permitted on public lands at any time.

·         The July 4^th weekend is upon us and besides the hazards presented by elk and other wildlife on the roads and highways be aware of heavy holiday traffic in the area.  Watch your speed and drive defensively.  Remember that the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest is asking that speed be held down to a maximum of 50 mph during dusk to dawn and at night.  

·         An Individual Assistance Service Center (IASC) is available for all evacuated Arizonans to access information to assist in their personal recovery from the fire. It is located at the Round Valley Public Library, 179 S Main, Eagar, Ariz. The hours of operation are: Tuesday through Thursday, July 5-7th 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and July 8th, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  The facility will be closed Monday, July 4th.

WALLOW FIRE NOTICES

Road Closures -  Due to heavy fire suppression and repair activities the following roads are closed to the public:

·         US 191 (the Coronado Trail) is closed between Alpine to north of Clifton (milepost 176-253).

·         SR 261 (to Big Lake) and SR 273 (between Big Lake and Reservation Lake), remain closed.

·         Forest Road 281 is closed two miles south of its junction with US 180 but is open beyond this point to residences only.

Closures and Restrictions:

·         All Forest Service and private commercial facilities inside the road closures are not available to the public.

·         San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation: Fire Restrictions and area closures remain in effect.

·         Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Closures and Open Areas.  Due to continued fire activity and the unprecedented levels of dry forest fuel along with dry weather, conditions exist for extreme fire danger necessitating closure of most of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Please go to the following web site for the most complete information:  http://tinyurl.com/6yflpfu.

·         For information on closures and restrictions for all public lands in Arizona go to the Public Lands Information Center web site at http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php  or call their hotline at  (877) 864-6985.

·         Gila National Forest: A closure is in effect for the western portion of the Gila National Forest.  Call (575) 388-8201, TTY (575) 388-8497 or see http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.

·         Fort Apache Indian Reservation:  Partial area closures are in effect for the eastside of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. See http://www.wmat.nsn.us/.

Public Safety:   Please be aware that flooding is likely in those areas adjacent to high severity burned areas.  This may affect many of the same people who evacuated their homes in the early days of the Wallow Fire.  There is concern about roads, bridges, and culverts holding up through flooding events.  It is important to be alert and keep informed on what you can do to protect your homes and property.  While private land issues are within the County’s purview, here are some links that could be helpful to begin preparations:

·         NOAA National Weather Service: http://tinyurl.com/29fnj35 - for monitoring for flooding predictions and sign up to get      

·          e-mail alerts

·         County emergency information: http://593info.org – this web site is applicable for southern Apache and Navajo Counties.

·         For county specific information go the following web sites:  http://www.co.apache.az.us/ (Apache Co., Ariz.), http://www.co.greenlee.az.us/ (Greenlee Co., Ariz.), and  https://mylocalgov.com/catroncountynm/ (Catron Co., N.Mex.)

·         Occupational Health and Safety Administration: http://tinyurl.com/3uuxu3h - information on how to fill, and carry sandbags in a safe manner.

·         Information on flood property protection:  http://tinyurl.com/6hfues3

·         A Crisis Intervention Line (928) 333-2683 is available for residents suffering from the stress of living with fire danger. 

·         For more safety information see:  http://tinyurl.com/6zvcrck.

·         Apache County and local fire departments have begun identifying locations for staging of sandbags in anticipation of the monsoon season.  More information will be provided as locations are confirmed.

·         Information and assistance for damaged homes and small businesses can be accessed at this link: http://tinyurl.com/6a94bk5.