Posted on by wes

Wallow Update | 21 June 11 PM

Evacuation was lifted for Luna, N.M. residents last night.

US 180 is now open in its entirety.

Size:  529,825 acres total

Percent Contained: 61%

 

 

This morning, a helicopter equipped with an infrared heat detection device flew along the perimeter of the fire on the southwest flank and no new significant heat was detected. Crews continue to patrol, mop-up and repair containment lines by placing water bars across lines built on steep slopes and pulling woody material back over established lines. The spot fire on the west side of US Highway 191 was suppressed and mopped-up. Air reconnaissance and patrol will continue over the zone.

 

The fire is still active in the south with occasional torching. Operations along the Blue River went well today. The strategy remains to keep the fire east of US 191 and west of the Blue River and FR 281. Firefighters are working to bring the fire to the bottom of the Blue River drainage by burning out and allowing the fire to back downhill while keeping the containment line secure and providing structure protection. The fire has reached the west side of FR 281 across from Blue Camp.

Firefighters are working to build indirect containment line connecting US 191 to the Blue River on the south flank. This activity was supported by large air tankers, military air tankers out of Kirtland Air Force Base and helicopters.

 

Crews are building containment line to the west from US 191 to Stray Horse administrative site, and have completed construction of control lines on the south end of the fire between McBride Canyon and US 191.  Burnout operations have begun north of this line and will continue as conditions allow.

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team members will continue working in the fire area today evaluating damage and beginning the planning process for mitigation. They will be evaluating soil and vegetation impacts. To learn more about BAER Teams, go to these sites: http://tinyurl.com/6xd42mf, http://tinyurl.com/5v9p2h5.

 

Power remains out in Hannagan Meadow and portions of the area north of the Blue River.

The weather Thursday will be sunny, with a high near 89, and light wind becoming west between 18 and 21 mph. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph. Probability of ignition from spot fires is 100%.

 

The National Weather Service on potential flooding: The Wallow Fire burned vast portions of the White Mountains including areas of steep terrain which will make numerous locations vulnerable to flash floods and debris flows even in moderate intensity (10 – 15 minutes) rains.  Some area streams and rivers are likely to see flows beyond anything seen in decades if typical or above average rains occur. This summer, all residents near streams, rivers, or steep burned hillsides should be alert to flooding and debris flows. Residents should be aware that area roadways may become impassible due to mud, rock and debris slides or due to streams and washes overwhelming existing culverts and bridges.

 

Public Safety: Smoke from the ongoing wildfires in AZ will continue to impact residents in the Wallow Fire area including southwestern N.M. For more information, link to the smoke outlook for the most recent forecast posted at: http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-outlook, http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-outlook/map, http://smoke.airfire.org/sw-monitoring.

  • A Crisis Intervention Line (928) 333-2683 is available for residents suffering from the stress of living with fire danger.
  • An Individual Assistance Service Center (IASC) is open daily 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Round Valley Public Library, 179 S Main,  Eagar for all evacuated Arizonans to access information to assist in their personal recovery from the fire.
  • For more safety information see:  http://tinyurl.com/6zvcrck.
  • Apache County and local Fire Departments have begun identifying locations for staging of sandbags in anticipation of the monsoon season. More information will be provided as locations are confirmed.

Current Evacuations:

  • Evacuations remain in effect in areas north of the Blue River, AZ.

Evacuee Information:

  • Evacuees from areas north of the Blue River may pick up their mail at the Alpine Post Office.  

Pre-Evacuation Alert:

  • A pre-evacuation alert continues in Apache County for Greens Peak, Hidden Meadows Lodge and surrounding areas.
  • Residents in these communities are asked to remain prepared for evacuation.

Road Closures according to Arizona Department of Transportation: http://www.azdot.gov

  • US 191 is closed between Alpine and north of Clifton (milepost 176-253).
  • SR 261 (mileposts 395-413) and SR 273 (mileposts 383-394), main roads to Big Lake & Crescent Lake are closed.

Closures and Restrictions:

  • San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation: Fire Restrictions and area closures remain in effect.
  • Apache – Sitgreaves National Forest: The Springerville, Alpine, Clifton and Lakeside Ranger Districts of the Forest remain under a forest closure until further notice. A closure order is in effect for portions of the Sitgreaves side of the National Forest. Contact the Arizona fire restrictions hotline for information at (877) 864-6985 or www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php.
  • Gila National Forest: A closure is in effect for the western portion of the Gila National Forest.  Call (575) 388-8201, TTY (575) 388-8497 or see http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.
  • Fort Apache Indian Reservation: Partial area closures are in effect for the eastside of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Seehttp://www.wmat.nsn.us/.

Public Information: The public may call the following numbers for area specific fire information:

  • Fire information in Spanish: (877) 632-6678.
  • Call Center: (928) 333-3412, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Luna and Reserve, N.M., Alpine, AZ:  (575) 533-6928.
  • North and west sides of the fire, including Fort Apache Indian Reservation: (877) 701-8201 Hours: 8AM to 8PM . Cellular One phone service:(928) 205-9884.
  • South between the Black River and US 191, including the San Carlos Indian Reservation:

(541) 670-0812.