Bobtail Fire near Globe creeping, smoldering

Lightning caused Bobtail Fire in Pinal
Mountains in confine and contain strategy

45 acre fire located 9 miles SW of Globe on Bobtail Ridge

Globe, Ariz. (July 18, 2014 – 1600 hrs.) – The lightning caused Bobtail fire was reported July 12, at 9:30 p.m. It is burning in the Bobtail Ridge area of the Pinal Mountains, 9 miles southwest of Globe/Miami.

The fire is in a confine and contain management strategy and is estimated at 45 acres. It is burning in chaparral brush. Fire activity has been low, mostly creeping and smoldering. The fire activity is expected to increase over the weekend due to lower relative humidity levels. Humidity levels are forecast to increase early next week.

Due to the recent monsoonal moisture, the fire poses no immediate risk to life, safety, property or resources.

A confine and contain strategy minimizes risk and exposure to firefighters in addition the wildfire will improve and benefit natural resources.  Benefits to natural resources derived from these types of fires include:

• Reduction of heavy fuel loading that diminishes the threat of catastrophic wildfire.
• Reintroduction of fire into the landscape to perform its historical role of cleaning the forest floor of dead and down vegetation, eliminating sickly trees, and generally keeping the ecosystem healthy.
• Raising the crown base height. The crown base simply means the lowest limbs on an individual tree that would allow a ground fire to climb into those limbs and transition the fire vertically up into the tree to create a crown fire. 
• Recycling valuable nutrients back into the soil.
• Recycling valuable nutrients back into the soil.
• Maintaining and improving wildlife habitat.

 Vistors and residents may see light-to-moderate smoke from Hwy. 60 and the Globe/Miami area, with the possibility of smoke settling in Globe and Miami overnight.

                 For further information, please call the Globe Ranger District at 928-402-6200.  Residents can also stay updated on prescribed fires at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.  To report a wildland fire, the fire emergency number is 866-746-6516, or dial 9-1-1.