Bull Flat Fire: If lines hold today, Incident Commander confident of full containment

Bull Flat Fire Update

Contact: Bull Flat Fire Information 541-325-8541                        Website: www.inciweb.org

Email: eazfireteam@gmail.com                                                       Twitter: twitter.com/firescoop

Fire Facts

Date started: May 10, 2012	Number of personnel: 352
Location: Fort Apache Agency and Tonto NF	Equipment: 8 engines, 2 dozers, 5 water tenders
Cause:  Lightning	Aircraft: 1 light and 1 heavy helicopter
Size: 2,145 acres	Hand Crews:  4 type-1, 3 type-2
Percent contained: 50	Estimated containment date: May 20, 2012
Injuries to date: 0	Estimated cost to date: $1,982,265
Property threatened: none
Jurisdiction:  Fort Apache Agency, and the Pleasant Valley Ranger District, Tonto National Forest

Fire Activity:  Fire authorities are concerned about the possibility of new fire starts due to the high winds out of the SW and dry conditions today.  Our Bull Flat Fire crews are strategically staged to respond if needed for initial attack around the fire perimeter, especially on the NE flank downwind of the fire. The strongest winds are expected today between late morning and mid afternoon, with gusts of 50 mph possible.  Crews have been preparing for this event for the last 3 days, performing night and aerial burnout operations to secure the perimeter and contain the fire.  If our lines hold today, the Incident Commander feels confident that full containment will be achieved.

Advisories/Closures/Restrictions:  

• A Red Flag Warning has been issued for all of north and central Arizona for extreme fire behavior due to low humidity and winds up to 50 mph today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Residents and visitors in the Heber-Overgaard area may experience drift smoke from the Bull Flat fire. Those with respiratory challenges should take precautions. Smoke can also reduce visibility for motorists particularly during nighttime hours.

• Tonto National Forest officials have signed a Temporary Area Closure for the Bull Flat Fire. The closure boundary includes the area from the intersection of Forest Road (FR) 512 and FR 33 and follows FR 512 south to its intersection with FR 358, then following FR 358 east to its intersection with the forest boundary. The boundary then follows the forest boundary north and turns directly east to the intersection of FR 34 and FR 188, then follows FR 34 north to its intersection with FR 33 and follows FR 33 west to its intersection with FR 512.
• The Tonto National Forest and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest are also in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. For more information regarding forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, please contact the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200, or check online at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto, or www.fs.usda.gov/asnf/

Updates are also available by calling the 593 Public Information Line at 928-333-3412.