Map showing the location of the Basin Fire at noon MDT, May 10, 2020. Data is from a BLM GPS flight.
(UPDATED at 9:54 p.m. MDT May 11, 2020)
Data from a GPS mapping flight Monday afternoon revealed that the Basin Fire in northwest Arizona is three times larger than previously estimated and now covers 36,355 acres.
The lightning-caused fire is 14 miles southeast of Mesquite, Nevada.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for Tuesday with a forecast for 20-30 mph southwest winds with gusts of 35 to 45 mph with relative humidity of 10 to 20 percent. This could cause the fire to spread further to the northeast if the fuels are receptive.
Approximately 134 personnel are assigned to the fire.
A BAe-146 air tanker drops on the Basin Fire May 11, 2020. BLM photo.
(Originally published at 3:37 p.m. MDT May 11, 2020)
Map showing the approximate location of the Basin Fire at 3:06 a.m. MDT, May 10, 2020.
A lightning-caused wildfire has burned approximately 10,000 acres in northwest Arizona 17 miles north of the Grand Canyon, 17 miles southeast of Mesquite, Nevada. It was reported in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument at 2 p.m. Sunday after the passage of thunderstorms.
The area has been under a Red Flag Warning since Sunday morning — for dry lightning on Sunday and low relative humidity and gusty winds on Monday. The dry, windy conditions will lead to another Red Flag Warning on Tuesday.
Basin Fire, May 10, 2020. BLM Photo. Red Flag Warnings in effect May 11, 2020. NWS. Red Flag Warnings in effect in Alaska, May 11, 2020. NWS.
BLM Arizona’s Koreena Haynes (1st on left) is assisting in Australia as an Engine Boss. BLM photo.
PHOENIX – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as well as other Department of the Interior agencies and the U.S. Forest Service have been sending wildfire personnel from across the United States to assist with ongoing wildfire suppression efforts in Australia. The BLM in Arizona currently has four fire personnel in Australia with plans to send more in the coming weeks.
Brady Shultz, from BLM Arizona’s Colorado River District in Kingman, and Koreena Haynes from the BLM Arizona State Office in Phoenix, deployed just after the new year to assist on fire engines in the Australian state of Victoria. Cody Goff from BLM Arizona’s Arizona Strip District in St. George, Utah, and John Garrett from BLM Arizona’s Gila District in Safford deployed on January 7 as part of a 20-person firefighter hand crew.
“Australia has come to help us when we needed an extra hand during our most extreme fire seasons, now it’s our turn to go help them in their time of need,” said Kelly Castillo, BLM Arizona’s state fire management officer.
Based on requests from the Australian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, the U.S. has intermittently deployed more than 150 wildland fire personnel since December.
The fire personnel from the U.S. have assisting with critical needs for mid-level fire management roles including fire engine operations, aviation operations, fire operations managers, logistical management specialists, and strategic fire planners. More recent deployments have included requests for 20-person firefighting crews and chain saw operators.
“We are in the process of filling more requests for Arizona personnel, which will likely deploy as soon as next week,” said Castillo.
The U.S., Australia and New Zealand have been exchanging fire assistance for more than 15 years. The most recent exchange occurred in August of 2018, when 138 Australian and New Zealand wildfire management personnel were sent to the U.S. for almost 30 days to assist with wildfire suppression efforts in Northern California and the Northwest. The last time the U.S sent firefighters to Australia was in 2010.
BLM Arizona’s Brady Shultz (1st on left) is assisting in Australia as an Engine Boss. BLM photo.
From the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Office
TUCSON, Ariz. – The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Gila District announced September 27, 2019 that the Aravaipa Veterans Fire Crew has achieved certification as an Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC). Of the 13 BLM IHCs nationwide, the Aravaipa Veterans Interagency Hotshot Crew is the only BLM-funded hotshot crew in Arizona, and only one of two BLM IHCs in the nation focused on recruiting and developing veterans.
“We’re proud of the Aravaipa Crew’s accomplishments and the continued efforts to develop a workforce of Veterans,” said Gila District Manager Scott Feldhausen. “This hard working and highly skilled crew is now a part of the elite fire resources available to fight fires not only in Arizona, but nationally and abroad.”
Interagency Hotshot Crews are the most highly trained and experienced type of hand crews and they must meet and maintain stringent requirements to achieve the IHC status. Their primary mission is to provide a safe, professional, mobile response to all phases of fire management and incident operations. IHCs are staffed, conditioned, equipped and qualified to meet a variety of strategic and tactical wildland fire assignments, and they are typically relied upon for the most challenging fire assignments. When not committed to fire assignments, IHCs provide a workforce to accomplish a variety of resource management objectives while maintaining availability for incident mobilization.
The Aravaipa Veterans IHC will provide an opportunity for veterans to work in a team environment and build skills and experience. Team members will also learn about opportunities to work for and become competitive for employment with the Federal Government in other natural resource arenas.
Near surface smoke forecast for 6 p.m. MDT September 13, 2019. Click to enlarge.
(9:52 a.m. MDT September 13, 2019)
Forecasts predict that smoke from the Whiskey Fire 10 miles southwest of the Flagstaff Airport will move into the city Friday afternoon. (see maps)
Thursday and Thursday night the wind from the east and northeast moved smoke from the fire off to the southwest but that direction is predicted to change shortly after noon Friday to come from the south and southwest, pushing the smoke into the Flagstaff area. If the fire activity continues on Saturday the smoke is expected to continue to impact the city.
Near surface smoke forecast for 6 p.m. MDT September 14, 2019, assuming significant activity on the fires continues.
The Whiskey Fire started September 2 on the Coconino National Forest and is being managed rather than completely suppressed. Thursday firefighters began conducting firing operations along Forest Road 231 to ensure the wildfire stays in its containment area. Today, Friday, the plan is to moderate but continue the firing operations through the weekend, according to information released by the Forest Service.
The agency said smoke may affect Flagstaff, Munds Park, Mountainaire, Kachina Village, Forest Highlands, Doney Park, Mormon Lake Village, Highway 89A Corridor, Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, and portions of Interstate 40.
The fire has burned 3,500 acres.
Map showing heat detected by a satellite during an overflight at 3:24 a.m. MDT September 13, 2019. Whiskey Fire. Forest Service photo distributed September 13, 2019.
