AZ-ASF-Reno (MRB)

[CWZWildfire]

On the Apache-Sitgreaves NF, 23 miles S/W of Alpine AZ
GPS (+33 36 19", -109 26 38)

Originally started back in September and is being managed for resource benefit, became active again and now a Type 1 Team(Hughes -Short Team) has been ordered for it


More to follow soon


Mike

[CWZWildfire]

3000+ acres making moderate runs in ponderosa pine,

getting close to borders with Ft Apache & San Carlos Indian Agencies


Mike

[CWZWildfire]

The Reno Fire was started on September 7, 2009, in the Bear Wallow Wilderness and has been slowly growing since then until about two weeks ago when weather conditions encouraged it to grow significantly to its present size of over 4,500 acres. Fire managers have been monitoring this fire daily and have placed it in a management plan that allows the fire to continue to burn at low to moderate intensities to benefit various forest components. Expected benefits to this type of management include the reduction of accumulated woody vegetation and debris on the ground which will produce a healthier forest, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce fire suppression costs.

The Reno Fire is currently burning in the Gobbler Point area and is heading toward Snake Creek. Several roads have been closed to public use including the Gobbler Point Road (Forest Road 8154), the Snake Creek Road (FR 25D), and the McKibbons Pond Road (FR25I). The fire has also moved west onto the San Carlos Apache Reservation and is nearing the Black River. San Carlos fire officials are also monitoring the fire and hope the fire will help consume ground fuels remaining after a timber sale. Fire managers have noted that the active burning window is about three to four hours each day as long as the sun is shining. At other times of the day or when clouds cover the sun, the fire intensity is very low and produces more smoke. Even several inches of snow last weekend did not extinguish this fire. Hunters are asked to be especially careful with campfires now as dry conditions will allow any escaped campfire to become a wildfire.

Part of an Incident Management Team led by Dugger Hughes has been assigned to the Reno Fire as of November 5, 2009, to help local fire managers make timely and effective decisions about management options and to keep costs to a minimum. This “short” team is working with tribal fire officials to maximize the benefits of this wildfire since much of the area has not seen a fire on the landscape in a long time. Meanwhile the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are postponing some prescribed fires due to the heavy smoke currently existing in communities. Lately the Reno Fire has been producing smoke that has covered many Apache County communities whereas the smoke in Show Low and and other Navajo County communities has mostly come from tribal prescribed fires.

This is latest press release from Apache-Sitgreaves NF



Mike

[CWZWildfire]

BIA News Release:
COORDINATION EFFORTS


Whiteriver, AZ. – BIA Fort Apache Agency and the White Mountain Apache Tribe have been coordinating efforts with the Alpine Ranger District regarding the Reno Fire about 30 miles southwest of Apline. The Reno Fire is at 4578 acres and is moving near the Black River. The Fire has moved onto the San Carlos Apache Reservation Tribal Lands. The San Carlos Apache Tribe is montitoring the fire.


The Reno Fire has potential to move onto the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. A Fort Apache SWFF crew has been ordered by the Reno Incident to assist the BIA and White Mountain Apache Tribe in order to maintain its prescription objectives. Prescribed burning operations are underway in the Maverick Burn Unit south of Pair O’Dice Ranch along the boundary. The Prescribed burning efforts will help protect the upcoming Tonto South Timber Sale.


BIA Fort Apache Agency would like to extend their gratitude to the Alpine Ranger District for their cooperation.


For more information, you can dial 593 from a Frontier network land line or *593 from a Cellular One of NE AZ cell phone


Mike

[CWZWildfire]

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1918/

Inciweb Link to this fire

http://593info.org/


White Mountain Joint Information System (Apache-Sitgreaves NF, San Carlos BIA, Ft Apache BIA etc)


Mike

[CWZWildfire]

From White Mountain Independant Newspaper



http://www.wmicentral.com/site/news....d=505965&rfi=6

Reno wildfire creates more smoke in White Mountain communities; burning 4,578 acres
11/06/2009
WHITE MOUNTAINS - Mild weather across Arizona has brought ideal burning conditions for both prescribed fires and wildfires.


Much of the smoke seen in and near the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests has come from prescribed fires mostly on White Mountain Apache and San Carlos Apache tribal lands. However, a wildfire about 30 miles southwest of Alpine is also producing heavy smoke at times.
The Reno Fire was started on Sept. 7 in the Bear Wallow Wilderness and has been slowly growing since then until about two weeks ago when weather conditions encouraged it to grow significantly to its present estimated size of 4,578 acres acres.
Fire managers have been monitoring this fire daily and have placed it in a management plan that allows the fire to continue to burn at low to moderate intensities to benefit various forest components.
Expected benefits to this type of management include the reduction of accumulated woody vegetation and debris on the ground which will produce a healthier forest, improve wildlife habitat, and reduce fire suppression costs.
The Reno Fire is currently burning in the Gobbler Point area and is heading toward Snake Creek. Several roads have been closed to public use including the Gobbler Point Road (Forest Road 8156), the Snake Creek Road (FR 25D) and the McKibbons Pond Road (FR25I). The fire has also moved west onto the San Carlos Apache Reservation and is nearing the Black River.
San Carlos fire officials are also monitoring the fire and hope the fire will help consume ground fuels remaining after a timber sale. Fire managers have noted that the active burning window is about three to four hours each day as long as the sun is shining. At other times of the day or when clouds cover the sun, the fire intensity is very low and produces more smoke. Even several inches of snow last weekend did not extinguish this fire.
Hunters are asked to be especially careful with campfires now as dry conditions will allow any escaped campfire to become a wildfire.
Part of an Incident Management Team led by Dugger Hughes has been assigned to the Reno Fire as of Nov. 5 to help local fire managers make timely and effective decisions about management options and to keep costs to a minimum. This "short" team is working with tribal fire officials to maximize the benefits of this wildfire since much of the area has not seen a fire on the landscape in a long time.
Meanwhile the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are postponing some prescribed fires due to the heavy smoke currently existing in communities. Lately the Reno Fire has been producing smoke that has covered many Apache County communities whereas the smoke in Show Low and and other Navajo County communities has mostly come from tribal prescribed fires.
Tree-cutting event expected to be smoky
The cutting ceremony for the Capitol Tree on Saturday, Nov. 7, is expected to be somewhat smoky due to the Reno Fire and the several prescribed burns on tribal lands. Visitors to the event should dress appropriately for forest conditions.
To access the parking area for the shuttle to the Christmas tree, visitors are asked to use Forest Road 249 just north of Alpine and drive about five miles west to the junction with FR 276. There are signs leading from Highway 191/FR 249 junction to the parking area

New forest fire burning near Alpine; Capitol Christmas Tree not threatened
- Posted 11/05/2009, 3:00 p.m.

A new forest fire is currently burning near Alpine Arizona in the Bear Wallow Wilderness area.
According the officials, the "Reno" fire has burned 2,000 acres and is under control at this time. The burn area is bordering reservation land.
The fire is not threatening the area where the Capitol Christmas Tree will be harvested on Saturday, Nov. 7th. but officials are warning that the area is smokey.
Stay posted to the White Mountain Independent and WMICentral.com for any further details.





Mike

[CWZWildfire]

Latest Update from Apache-Sitgreaves PIO is the fire has now crossed over onto the San Carlos Apache Reservation and is now approx 5000 acres in size

Mike

[CWZWildfire]

Ab put your photos on the Fire 43 Photo Page...

Yesterday’s Activities: The fire burned through Gobbler Point and is heading north into Snake Creek drainage. It is now burning on the San Carlos Apache Reservation north of Bear Wallow Creek but east of the Black River. It is actively backing and flanking fire on the west and southwest slopes.

Weather and Fire Behavior forecast for today:
Temperature 61-71 with wind speed of 5-15
Wind direction SW with Relative Humidity of 19-28 percent

Today’s Planned Actions: Continue to monitor the fire. No structures are currently threatened.

Location 25 miles SW of Alpine,AZ in and north of the Bear Wallow Wilderness.
Approximate Size 5,300 acres
Increase since last update 400 acres
Fire Containment -0-
Start Date Sept 7, 2009
Cause Lighting
Incident Commander Dugger Hughes
Resources on the Fire 1 type 2 crew,1 type 3 helicopter, 1 engine , 1 dozer and 15 Overhead
Total Personnel 44
Est. Containment Date Unkown
Cooperating Agencies USFS, BIA, STATE
Landowners Apache Sitgreaves National Forests, San Carlos Apache Reservation and the Fort Apache Indian Reservation

Special Notices, Alerts & Restrictions: Roads and trails
closed in the area as follows: FR 8154 (Gobbler Point), FR 25D (Snake Creek) FR 25I (McKibbons Pond),
Trail 59 and a portion of Trail 63.
Deer season is still in effect until Sunday, November 13th.

Mike

[CWZWildfire]

5,936 (5,295 Acres on ASF, 641 Acres on SCA)

demob of dozer due to terrain

Mike

[CWZWildfire]

Quick Fire Facts

Location 25 miles SW of Alpine,AZ in and north of the Bear Wallow Wilderness.

Approximate Size 6,000 acres

Increase since last update 200 acres

Fire Containment -0-

Start Date Sept 7, 2009

Cause Lighting

Incident Commander Dugger Hughes

Resources on the Fire 1 type 2 crew,1 type 3 helicopter, 1 engine , 1 dozer and 15 Overhead

Total Personnel 40

Est. Containment Date Unkown

Cooperating Agencies USFS, BIA, STATE

Landowners Apache Sitgreaves National Forests, San Carlos Apache Reservation and the Fort Apache Indian Reservation

Mike