Single Publication

Multiple new fire starts near the Sand Stone and Deer Fire areas

Daily Update – Monday, August 5, 2024

Highlights: Due to record-breaking temperatures, outflow winds, and over 800 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, several new fires started near the Sand Stone and Deer Fire areas yesterday. The Southwest Incident Management Team 4 is responding to two new fire starts within their designated planning area. The Y Bar Fire is located approximately 5 miles east of the Deer Fire and initially estimated at 150 acres. The Round 3 Fire is located near Bushnell, east of State Route 87 and mapped at 33 acres. Firefighting resources have been dispatched to fully suppress these two new lightning-caused fires. Overnight, crews were able to successfully stop the forward progress of the Round 3 Fire. Today, firefighters are continuing to respond to the Y Bar Fire. Crews will conduct an aerial reconnaissance flight early this morning to assess the progress of all fires and look for any additional new starts. Firefighting resources are also assisting with multiple other new fire starts across the Tonto National Forest, as needed.

Total personnel on all incidents: 353   

Sand Stone Fire:          Acres: 27,390     Containment: 78%     Start Date: 7/25/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush                                            

Operations: Despite weather conditions, the Sand Stone Fire showed little activity yesterday. Ground crews previously engaged with mastication, suppression repair, and other preparatory efforts are being redirected to immediate suppression actions on the new fires identified yesterday. Available helicopters assisted with water bucket drops as weather conditions allowed. Ground crews continued their work into the night to take advantage of every opportunity to contain these new starts. Additional resources, including aviation support, have been ordered to aid in the fire suppression efforts. An additional initial attack crew remains positioned near the community of Sunflower to manage any potential threats to structures. Drivers should use caution and be aware of firefighters working along State Route 87.

Deer Fire:                    Acres: 355     Containment: 18%      Start Date: 7/17/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush, timber 

Operations: Minimal fire activity was present on the Deer Fire yesterday. Preparation activities were redirected due to lightning in the area and new fire starts requiring support from ground resources. Firefighters worked overnight to protect structures near Y Bar Ranch. Crews will remain staged around Deer Creek and Rye to protect these values from the nearby Deer and Y Bar Fires.

Weather: An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect for the Sand Stone Fire area into this evening with above normal temperatures occurring at the higher-elevation Deer Fire. Afternoon thunderstorms are also expected to develop near the fire area today with gusty outflows. A disturbance may bring an increase in moisture and slightly cooler temperatures with more widespread showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday. A return to monsoon conditions with hot temperatures and scattered afternoon thunderstorms is likely for the second half of the week.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Fountain Hills, Sunflower, 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 has issued a closure order for the Sand Stone Fire. More information can be found on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/. Trail users should avoid using the Arizona National Scenic Trail near the fire area.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft or drones. 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: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-sand-stone /

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