Frye Fire Update - Outflow Winds Cause Spotting

Release Date: Jun 21, 2017

Tuesday, June 21, 2017, 9:00 a.m.

Frye Fire Information Phone Number

928-362-2791

Location: Safford Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest 7 miles southwest of Safford, AZ Start

Date: June 7, 2017   Cause: Lightning   Size: 17,330 Acres   Operational Objectives Completed: 16%

Vegetation: Timber, brush and heavy downed timber from the 2004 Nuttall Complex.

Resources Assigned: 887 Persons, 34 Engines, 25 Crews, 7 Helicopters, 1 Dozer, 8 Water tenders, Miscellaneous Overhead 173.

 

Incident Commander: Alan Sinclair/Dave Gesser (trainee) with the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3

 

CLOSURES: An Area Closure for the Frye Fire includes all campgrounds, roadways and trail systems within the Forest boundary in the Pinaleno mountain range including Bible Camp, Turkey Flat and the Old Columbine area. Graham County Sheriff Officers will stop any non-essential fire traffic to maintain safety in the closure area. The closure will remain in effect until rescinded. The entire official order and map is available on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5221/35695/

Summary: The fire remains active. A significant volume of smoke continues to be visible from the surrounding local areas, as far as Tucson and beyond. Critically low relative humidity and near-record temperatures continue to contribute to increased fire activity. Fire in timber will be consuming areas of unburned fuels.

“The crews did an outstanding job protecting the values at risk in anticipation of the fire moving through Old Columbine, Bible Camp, Columbine Camp and Squirrel Camp.” said Incident Commander trainee Dave Gesser. However, gusting outflow winds from the thunderstorm passing through the area on Monday caused spotting south of State Highway 366 near Webb Peak. Firefighters assessed the viability of directly attacking the fire on the south side of State Highway 366 and are developing new contingency plans.

Today, firefighters will continue to scout new and improve existing control lines. Burnout operations will be performed as needed. Fire spread will be monitored and checked with aerial resources throughout the day as temperatures allow flights. Additional structure protection plans are being developed as needed.

A Temporary flight restriction remains in effect until further notice, which includes “drones” or any unmanned aerial vehicles. The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”

Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Coronado National Forest.

For further information, please see the Frye Fire Facebook page at http://facebook.com/FryeFire/ the Coronado National Forest Facebook page at http://facebook.com/CoronadoNF and/or Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov