Single Publication

Fires experience no growth over last 24 hours; containment increases

Daily Update – Sunday, August 11, 2024

Highlights: Despite yesterday’s above normal temperatures and low relative humidities, the acreages of the Sand Stone, Deer, Y Bar, Bartlett, Clair, and Sheep Fires remain unchanged. Firefighters successfully increased containment on five of the six fires and are holding the Sand Stone Fire at 96% containment. During a helicopter flight over the fires, firefighters observed no visible smoke within any of the fire areas being managed by Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4.

Total personnel on all incidents: 297

Clair: 2,170 acres; 65% containment

Bartlett: 6,161 acres; 78% containment

Y Bar: 297 acres; 85% containment

Sheep: 2,483 acres; 20% containment

Sand Stone: 27,390 acres; 96% containment

Deer: 378 acres; 37% containment

Operational Update: Yesterday’s fire activity consisted of minimal creeping and smoldering, resulting in no significant movement. Firefighters completed mastication and chipping activities along 2.5 miles of Forest Road 201 around the Sand Stone and Y Bar Fire areas yesterday. Crews anticipate completing the remainder of this work today. East of the Y Bar, firefighters are installing water bars to help prevent future erosion. Near the Clair Fire, crews will continue grading the Horseshoe Dam Road over the next couple days. Firefighters are holding and monitoring fire perimeters and will conduct another reconnaissance flight today. Firefighters are also evaluating and conducting suppression repair activities around the various fire areas. Crews remain available to provide for initial attack of new fire starts within their designated response area, while also assisting the Tonto National Forest with additional resources as requested.

Weather: High temperatures, low relative humidities, and a weak chance of showers are expected to continue today and Monday. Tuesday is anticipated to be even drier with reduced chance of monsoonal activity. Warming, drying, and breezy weather, combined with dry fuels and lightning activity, continue to create potential conditions for new fires to start. 

Smoke: Some smoke is possible but unlikely to be visible from Fountain Hills, Sunflower, Deer Creek, Rye, Rio Verde, Goldfield, and unincorporated communities in the Rio Verde Foothills. An interactive smoke map is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/. 

Closures: The Tonto National Forest, Cave Creek Ranger District, has issued a Bartlett Lake Post Fire Flash Flood Public Safety Closure to include National Forest System Road 459 (North Lake Road) and all National Forest System lands within 100 feet of the Bartlett Reservoir shoreline. A closure order for the Sand Stone Fire area also remains in effect. See https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/ for more information about forest closures. Trail users should avoid using the Arizona National Scenic Trail near the fire areas.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Drivers are reminded to use caution and be aware of firefighters working along State Route 87. Temporary flight restrictions are currently in place for the Bartlett, Clair, and Y Bar Fires. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. Know before you fly. If you fly, we can’t. More information can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

More Information: 480-409-9683 / https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest / 2024.sandstone@firenet.gov 

https://inciweb.fs2c.usda.gov/incident-information/aztnf-clair / https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-bartlett / https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-sand-stone