Draw Fire Update 07/30/2025

Location of Origin: 5 miles south of Big Lake, AZ     Start Date: July 24, 2025

Size: 314 acres                                                           Percent Contained: 11%

Cause: Lightning                                                         Fuels: Mixed conifer, grass, snags Resources Assigned: 3 Helicopters, 3 Hotshot crews, 1 Hand Crew, 1 Type 2 Wildland Fire Module, 7 Engines, 3 Dozers, 1 excavator/masticator, 1 feller buncher 

Highlights: Fire activity remained minimal due to overnight humidities and changes in fuel types as it moved into less dense terrain on the Northern flank. Crews worked diligently to complete their operational objects on each division (flanks) of the fire. The US Forest Service is working with multiple agencies to achieve full suppression of this incident. The Draw fire is burning in the Wallow foot print off Forest Road (FR) 68 near the West Fork of the Black River. 

Operations: Crews saw minimal fire activity as the fire crept into less dense areas of fuels along the Northern Flank. Higher relative humidities and weather patterns aided fire personnel in tying in dozer lines on the Southern portion of the Western flank near Hay Creek. Personnel were also able to construct multiple areas of indirect control lines on this flank. On the Eastern flank along FR68, crews continued to construct check lines with the aid of hand crews and heavy equipment. Containment has increased to 11%.

Safety: Public traveling at excessive speeds along FR68 has been a major concern for firefighters and public safety. The public is asked to avoid FR68 and yield to fire and incident support personnel working within the area. Potential for cloud to ground lightning remains a concern for crews on the ground. Air operations continue to utilize portions of Big Lake to support bucket dipping operations. Watercraft is asked to avoid the area for both their and air ship safety.

 Closures: The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is in the process of issuing a closure order for parts of the National Forests lands to include areas along FR68, FR249C, FR249E, FR25 and the southern portions of the Thompson Trail #629. 

Smoke: Smoke from the Draw fire may be visible in the surrounding areas and will be heavier in the evenings and mornings as it settles into the lower elevations. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community.

Weather: Today’s forecast calls for the possibility of thunderstorms with a high of 78 degrees and wind gusts to 8 mph. Chance of gusty and erratic winds following storms.