Single Publication

 Community Meeting Tonight

New Forest Closure “Expanded”

Location: 11 nautical miles south of Prescott-Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, SEC 1), near Mt Union.

Start Date: April 18, 2022

Size: Approximately 9014 acres, 23% Containment

Cause: Under Investigation

Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory), Chaparral (6 feet)

Number of Personnel Assigned: 855

On Wednesday strong winds out of the south with low relative humidity, hampered firefighting efforts. Wind gusts of 30 plus mph, drove the fire west of Lookout Mountain toward Dosoris Canyon, pushing smoke into Prescott and surrounding communities. Crews were successful in holding the 52 Spur Road to keep the fire west of the affected communities. Both rotary and fixed wing aircraft were utilized in direct and indirect attacks between Lookout Mountain and Johnson Flat supporting ground operations. Containment rose from 20%  to 23%, and the fire to the north and east remained in their established footprints, and crews remained patrolling those locations and prep for future operations.

Today, dozers and hand crews will work to strengthen the containment lines along Forest Service Road (FSR) 82. Favorable terrain may allow firefighters to access the fires edge west of Lookout Mountain, with the efforts of multiple fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Structure protection remains a key tactical objective and crews continue to perform defensive operations throughout the area.  

Resources Assigned:  5 - Type 1 Hotshot crews, 5 - Type 2 Hand crews, 41- Engines, 14 - Helicopters, Miscellaneous Equipment, and Overhead.