Wallow Fire – End Game

Only an additional 2261 acres burned yesterday, and most of it was controlled burning as containment reached 61%.

Barring a major new development, this will be the last of my daily posts on the fire, as it is definitely moving into the end game. You can follow the fire on InciWeb, which is recommended if you are interested.

Information from the current Wallow Fire InciWeb Page

• Date Started: 5/29/2011
• Location: Apache, Navajo, Graham, and Greenlee Counties, San Carlos and White Mountain Apache Reservations, Arizona; Catron County, New Mexico
• Cause: Human – under investigation
• Size: 532,086 acres [831 miles² 2153 km²] based on infrared data
• Percent Contained: 61%
• Injuries to Date: 12
• Residences: 1,511 threatened; 32 destroyed; 5 damaged
• Commercial Property: 162 threatened; 4 destroyed
• Outbuildings: 452 threatened; 36 destroyed; 1 damaged
• Other: 1 truck destroyed
• Number of Personnel: Approximately 2,954 including 12 hotshot crews and 45 hand crews
• Equipment: 19 dozers, 161 engines, 60 watertenders
• Aircraft: 16 helicopters, 5 air tankers
• Incident Commander: Jim Loach, Area Command Team 3

The Wallow fire had some growth yesterday and last night with the majority of this growth along the south flank and in the drainages west of the Blue River. Acreage now stands at 532,086.

The Mobile Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS) aircraft along with other fixed wing and helicopters were used yesterday along the southern flank in order to prepare a containment line for a planned burn out. Last night, the burning of interior islands of fuel was visible from local communities on the east side of the fire.

In the southwest area of the fire, no fire movement was observed beyond the established containment lines. Fire resources patrolled, mopped-up and repaired containment lines along the fire perimeter. A hotshot crew was situated along US Highway 191 to scout contingency containment line opportunities and remained vigilant in case of spotting.

Today will be sunny in the morning with afternoon clouds over the high terrain. Highs will be near 100 degrees at 6,000 ft with relative humidity of 5-9%. Winds will be out of the west-southwest at 12-15 mph on the ridge tops with gusts of 25-30 mph.

[For the latest information click on the Fire symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Fires” for all of the posts related to wildfires on this site.]