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Summary: Crews continue to work toward full suppression of the Hillside Fire. The fire is 88% contained with no change in acreage as the fire remains within its footprint. Today resources will patrol and monitor the fire’s edge throughout the day checking to ensure all containment lines are holding and secure and no heat or smokes remain along the fire’s edge and within the interior. Another storm system is forecast for the fire area today with the possibility of outflow winds. 

On Friday, the Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management lifted the SET notifications for residents along Ghost Town Road. All residents have been returned to READY. 

As containment increases the incident continues to right size resources for the fire’s needs. Due to multiple fires burning across the state, many resources were released from the Hillside Fire over the last 24 hours and reassigned to ongoing incidents. Two engines and one water tender remain assigned to the fire. 

The fire was the result of a lightning strike on Tuesday, July 9. Local fire resources responded to the smoke report but due to the fire’s location in inaccessible terrain were unable to access the fire. The next day, resources returned for additional monitoring and could not locate the incident due to the overnight precipitation. Wednesday afternoon, a wind event moved through Congress with 60 mph winds that rekindled the fire and significantly increased fire behavior. 

Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management emergency alerts: https://www.ycsoaz.gov/I-Want-To/Services/Sign-up-for-Emergency-Notifications. 

Weather: Hot temperatures and dry conditions. Monsoonal moisture continues to increase through the weekend with greater chances for thunderstorms, including outflow winds over the fire area today and over the next few days. 

Safety: Open mine shafts, extreme temperatures, rugged terrain and other identified hazards within the fire area remain a safety concern for fire operations. Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination. Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly…we can’t.

Incident Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aza5s-hillside-fire

Twitter: @azstateforestry: https://twitter.com/azstateforestry

Facebook: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management: https://www.facebook.com/arizonaforestry

Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go