Yesterday afternoon, some smoke was visible in Div. U. This smoke was well within the fire containment lines and posed no threat to the lines. Smokes will continue to be visible within the fire perimeter when weather and fuel conditions align. Firefighters on the ground and aerial resources will continue to monitor the fire. Until the fire is fully contained firefighters will be monitoring fire activity, repairing suppression impacts and backhauling equipment from the line.

Aviation resources including fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have played a valuable role in with the Oak Ridge Fire. To date, a total of 402,674 gallons of water and 19,044 gallons of fire retardant have been dropped on the fire. The UAS dropped 1,222 dragon eggs (plastic spheres that chemically react to ignite) in Div. K to assist firefighters with the strategic firefighting operation. A total of 19,910 pounds of cargo has been backhauled from the fireline.

This evening, there will be a transfer of command from the Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3 (RMA CIMT3) to a Type 3 Incident Management Organization. The new team is comprised mainly of members from the outgoing team with on the ground experience of the fire. RMA CIMT3 would like to thank the local cooperators and public for their understanding, cooperation and patience during the fire. The management of the fire has endured adaptations in strategies with the overall goals will continue to be to protect firefighter safety, the community of Beulah and the Middle Creek Watershed.

The public is encouraged to continue going to Facebook and Inciweb for updated information on the Oak Ridge Fire. Also, boards at the Beulah General Store and Beulah Fire Department will continue to be posted with updated information.

Weather & Smoke Information:  Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected over the Wet Mountains Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons with a 30% chance of precipitation hitting the fire. Today’s temperatures will reach 83 with relative humidity levels reaching as low as 29%. Winds will be west to east/southeast with gusts up to 14 mph. The U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program daily smoke outlook report specific to the fire area may be found at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d9fa3c77.    

Closures: The San Carlos Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests issued an area, trail and road closure effective June 26, 2024. Go to www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices for the entire order.   

 Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations from county sheriff offices due to the Oak Ridge Fire. 

Temporary Flight Restrictions: The is a 24-hour a day Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area remains in effect. The TFR includes restrictions against private drones and all air incursions will be reported to law enforcement.   

Pius Fire Update
Monday, July 08, 2024

Location of Origin: 20 miles NE of Payson AZ            

Size: 460 acres 
Start Date: July 8, 2024                    

Percent Contained: 0
Cause: Undetermined                    

Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/Mixed Conifer
Personnel: 76            
Resources Assigned: 1 Initial Attack Crew, 4 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 5 Dozers, 1 Water Tender  
                
The Pius fire is located on the Black Mesa Ranger District, and is located southeast of the CC Cragin Reservoir, southwest of Wiggins Crossing, and north of Black Canyon Lake. The fire is currently managed under a Type 3 Incident Command structure with a full suppression strategy. Fire behavior exhibited extreme intensity today and was actively running, crowning to the tops of trees, and spotting ahead of the main fire. As a result of the increased growth and behavioral complexity, the Complex Incident Management Team, Team 1, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, will join in a formal in-brief on July 9 regarding the operational status of the Pius fire, and will assume command of the Pius fire at 6 a.m. on July 10, 2024.

Operations: The Pius fire is expected to continue to move to the south and southeast. Firefighting resources will look to establish an anchor point and will be using indirect and direct-attack tactics to establish flanking opportunities along the perimeter when it is safe to do so.

Evacuations: The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued a “GO” status to evacuate immediately for people in and around Bear Canyon Lake and Knoll Lake including the areas north of Forest Road (FR)300, east of FR115, south of FR225, and west of FR34. The public is encouraged to follow the Ready, Set, Go! program to prepare for any threats to their community. Go to https://311info.net/ for accurate and timely status updates.

Smoke: Smoke is expected to impact the communities of Christohper Creek, Payson, Young, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, and Highway 260. All areas within proximity of the fire can be impacted by smoke, depending on wind directions and ventilation. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community.

Values at Risk: KV Powerlines are located roughly 4 miles southeast of the fire and supplies power to the Phoenix Metropolitan area. There are private inholdings in proximity to the fire location. Recreation areas along the Rim Lakes are located roughly 5 miles south of the fire location.

Weather: Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue with highs on July 9 expected to be 94 degrees. The forecast is calling for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms with winds shifting from the southwest to the northwest at 10-15mph.
 

#VistaFire Update: This fire is managed under a full suppression strategy. Fire is burning in brush and timber within steep and rugged rocky terrain, making access difficult in some areas. Fire behavior was active on all fronts today and established in Cold Water Canyon and made significant uphill runs to the west. Crews attacked the fire from the ground and air, using fire engine modules to suppress the fire with hose lays, as hotshot crews and dozers cut line around the fire's perimeter. Aircraft were used to slow the progression at the head and flanks of the fire so crews could engage and cut line. The Mt. Baldy Resort has been evacuated as the area is still threatened. Poor air quality is impacting the community of Mt. Baldy. Visit AirNow.gov for information. Lytle Creek Road remains closed to the public, with access only to local residents. High temperatures continue to be a concern to firefighters as forecasts call for the same. This evening, the San Bernardino County Fire Department returned to Unified Command as the fire threatened Mt. Baldy. At 0600 tomorrow morning, California Complex Incident Management Team 15 will take command of the fire. The fire acreage will remain at 588 acres until an IR flight can be made. 

Air Attack is reporting the Royal Fire at 154 due to more accurate mapping. The fire has continued to hold within its footprint throughout the day and remains at 0% containment. Tankers have boxed the fire in with retardant. Three Type 1 helicopters have been performing water drops throughout the day. Crews have gained access to the incident and constructed handline across the head.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

As previously reported by Placer County’s Sheriff’s Office, the unaccounted-for hikers were found safely.

Evacuation warnings remain for the community of The Cedar’s. No additional evacuation warnings or orders have been issued today.

Tahoe National Forest is in unified command with CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Department and Placer County Sheriff’s Office. View evacuation information: Placer County Sheriff's Office - Public Safety Map (arcgis.com)