White Sage Fire Daily Update - July 13, 2025

Release Date: July 13th, 2025
Contact Information: Great Basin CIMT 6 Public Information    928-218-4240    2025.whitesage@firenet.gov

Fire Information: Phone: (928) 218-4240 daily from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Email: 2025.whitesage@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMArizona and https://www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azasd-white-sage-fire

0% Containment - 40,186 acres - 500 personnel assigned

Highlights

The Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 6, led by Incident Commander Mack McFarland, has assumed command of the White Sage Fire. Firefighters continue to make progress on several fronts. Fire lines near White Sage community are holding well, and crews remain actively engaged to ensure that area stays secure. Firefighters continue to strengthen and secure containment lines around the Lonesome Ranch area to protect private lands.

On the southern edge of the fire, hand crews and bulldozers are working uphill toward Highway 89A. Although some spotting has occurred by wind-carried embers ahead of the main fire, the spread has remained minimal. Fire behavior in this area remains moderate due to active suppression efforts.

To the east and north, the fire is experiencing rapid growth, particularly within the 2020 Mangum Fire footprint. Grasses and standing dead trees are contributing to intense fire activity. The fire is pushing downhill toward the Vermilion Cliffs area, prompting crews to begin assessing opportunities for tactical firing operations. This creates a buffer zone of removed fire fuels, helping to slow or halt the fire's progress. The Winter Road, which was previously prepped with fuel reduction work during the 2020 Mangum Fire, is being accessed as a potential containment line to limit further growth to the north. No structures have been lost. 

The Bravo Dragon Fire is 35 miles south of the White Sage Fire at Grand Canyon National Park. 

Fire Behavior

Hot, dry, and windy conditions continue to challenge firefighting efforts. This, combined with record-high Energy Release Components (ERCs), a measurement of how dry and flammable the vegetation is, is creating a volatile environment. These high ERCs indicate that fuels are ready to ignite easily and support extreme fire behavior. Despite the challenging conditions, crews are maintaining focus on containment strategies while prioritizing the safety of communities.

Evacuations 

Evacuation information is being updated regularly by Coconino County. Residents and the public are urged to stay informed by visiting: https://coconinocounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=c579ef2e9406468d8575a289253d73d9