The fire has burned over 38,000 acres near Strawberry, Arizona
2:28 p.m. MDT June 23, 2021
Backbone Fire 8:23 a.m. MDT, June 22, 2021.
The weather Tuesday night made it impossible to obtain heat sensing data from satellites or fly the fixed wing mapping aircraft to obtain the latest perimeter information for the Backbone Fire. It also prevented additional firing operations along Highway 260. The last time the fire was mapped it was 38,321 acres.
On the west side, crews continue to monitor the fire as it nears the east side of the Verde River. Contingency lines near Beasley Flat and Camp Verde are being improved. Preparation efforts also continue along State Route 260 and near structures and other infrastructure for additional firing operations. Firefighters continue to hold, patrol, and secure the east side of the fire. Personnel and aircraft are working in the southeast area, including Hardscrabble Canyon and Deadman Mesa, to prevent fire from becoming established in the drainage.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Backbone Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.
The communities of Pine and Strawberry are still under evacuation orders.
Firefighters install defensive sprinkler system in the Strawberry area. InciWeb photo.
3-D map of the Backbone Fire, looking west at 3:24 a.m. MDT June 22, 2021. The red dots along Highway 260 represent heat from the firing operation. The location of the dots is approximate.
Monday night firefighters began what will be a massive firing operation to defend against the 37,000-acre Backbone Fire that is threatening the communities of Strawberry and Pine, Arizona. The operation began at the intersection of highways 260 and 87 with crews working north and south on Highway 260. The stated goal of the project is to remove the fuel between Strawberry and Fossil Creek in order to protect the community.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Backbone Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.
It is unknown how far the Incident Management Team intends to take the firing operation but I did some calculations. If the fire stayed where it is early Tuesday morning and they quickly completed the firing operation, it would encompass at least 20,000 to 40,000 acres.
On this map of the Backbone Fire the red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 3:24 a.m. MDT June 22, 2021. The red line was the perimeter at 2 a.m. The white line was the perimeter about 24 hours earlier. The red dots show the firing operation that began at the intersection of Highways 260 and 87. The red dots at upper-right north of 260 and 209 is the 71-acre Snake Fire.
The Incident Management Team said that Monday the fire continued to advance up Fossil Creek toward Highway 260.
Mapping and satellite data show the northeast part of the fire which is northwest of Strawberry has moved northeast over the last 24 hours, closer to Highway 260.
The fire has continued to spread to the northwest in the direction of Camp Verde, advancing less than a mile on Monday.
Firefighters have been working to construct firelines and improve the protection for Strawberry.
Pine and Strawberry are still under evacuation orders.
A new fire is burning 7 miles north of the intersection of Highways 260 and 87, visible on the map above at the upper-right. It is the 71-acre Snake Fire being managed separately.
Firing operation on the Backbone Fire at the junction of Highways 260 and 87, June 21, 2021. Photo by Arizona Department of Transportation.
The latest satellite overflight Monday at 2:12 p.m. MDT showed that the Backbone Fire had spread approximately a half mile along portions of the north and northeast sides during the previous 12 hours. There are reports that later in the afternoon fire activity increased.
We expect to have more detailed information including an updated map Tuesday morning.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Backbone Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.
Updated at 1:38 p.m. MDT June 21, 2021
The red line on the map was the perimeter of the Backbone Fire at 8:15 p.m. MDT June 20, 2021. The white line was the perimeter about 24 hours before.
The Backbone Fire two miles west of Strawberry, Arizona has burned 32,757 acres as of Sunday night. It is about 7 miles southeast of the suburbs southeast of Camp Verde.
Sunday and Sunday night firefighters continued to monitor the progression of the Backbone Fire on both the western and eastern flanks and prepared containment features to support Monday’s operations. Firefighters and heavy equipment will reinforce firelines south and west of Strawberry and Pine, and are preparing for future burnout operations as necessary to strengthen the firelines and protect the communities. Air tankers and helicopters will focus on keeping the fire from moving into Deadman Mesa and Hardscrabble Canyon.
Another day of extreme fire behavior is expected on Monday with growth to the north and east.
Weather
Extreme temperatures will continue Monday with single digit humidity. Scattered dry thunderstorms may develop to the north and west in the afternoon and linger into the evening. Afternoon southwest winds will increase with gusts of 20 – 25 mph.
Evacuations
Evacuation orders were issued for the communities of Pine and Strawberry. Residents and visitors should contact their county or visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for further information.
Closures
State Route 260 is closed between Camp Verde and State Route 87 and State Route 87 is closed north of Payson to Clint’s Week. Motorists are advised to visit https://www.az511.com for current road closures.
3:33 p.m. MDT June 20, 2021
Map of the Backbone Fire. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 4 a.m. MDT June 20, 2021. The red line was the mapped perimeter at about 7 p.m. MDT June 19, 2021.
The Backbone Fire 8 miles southeast of Camp Verde, Arizona has prompted the evacuation of two communities with a combined population of about 2,700 residents, Strawberry and Pine. Early Sunday morning the fire was 2 miles west of Strawberry. (More information about the evacuations.)
On Saturday large quantities of aerial retardant were used to slow the spread of the fire to east toward Strawberry and Pine and to keep it out of the big drainage to the south, Hardscrabble Canyon.
Today firefighters and heavy equipment will construct and reinforce control lines south and west of Strawberry and Pine and prepare for future burnout operations as necessary to strengthen protection for the communities. Some of the control lines will be “plumbed” with fire hose to be used during the burning. Helicopters and air tankers will help firefighters keep the fire from moving into Deadman Mesa and Hardscrabble Canyon.
Sunday at 1:22 p.m. MST the temperature in Pine was 95° under clear skies with 16 percent relative humidity and winds out of the south-southwest at 11 mph gusting to 22. The temperature is predicted to reach 99°. The forecast for Monday and Tuesday is for similar conditions.
The hot, dry, windy weather combined with drought and low moisture in vegetation have led to an expectation of another day of extreme fire behavior on Sunday with growth to the north and east.
State Route 260 is closed between Camp Verde and State Route 87. Motorists are advised to visit AZ511 for current road closures.
