Bull Flat Fire grows to 1,329 acres

    BULL FLAT FIRE SW OF HEBER    

 

(Gazette Blog Editor's note: As of 5 p.m. we are still waiting for an update on the Sunflower Fire.  The last information we had was the 6 a.m. press release below.  In the meantime, here is the latest on yet another area wildfire.)

Residents and visitors in the Heber-Overgaard area may experience smoke from the Bull Flat Fire today. The Bull Flat Fire is southwest of these communities and afternoon winds are expected to push smoke from the fire in a northeasterly direction.

Fire Activity: High winds on Monday caused the fire to grow in a westerly direction. Monday afternoon the fire was mapped at 1,329 acres. The fire is mainly burning in brush, grass and dead and down fuels. When it reaches pine stringers in the drainages, some single-tree and group torching has been observed. Firelines on the east side of the fire continued to hold throughout the day. The fire was ignited in a remote area and believed to have been started by lightning although it remains under investigation. Fire was established in Canyon Creek and Hells Canyon on May 10.

Today: Firefighters will hold, secure and mop-up firelines and continue suppression efforts. Crews on the west side will continue to hold containment lines from the 109 road to Valentine Canyon.

Resources § Firefighters: 4 Type 1 interagency hand crews § Engines: 4 Type 6 Engines § Air Tankers: 2 § Helicopters: 3 § Dozer: 1

Evacuations: None at this time.
Structures Threatened: None at this time.

General Information:
The Eastern Arizona Type 2 Incident Management Team received command of the Bull Flat Fire at 6 a.m. today. The Incident Command Post is located three miles south of Highway 260 on Forest Road 512 AKA The Young Road. The fire is currently burning on lands administered by the Fort Apache Agency and the Tonto National Forest within the Pleasant Valley Ranger District.