Sunflower Fire News Release
May 13, 2012 4:30 p.m.
Fire Information: (602) 525-1042
Website: www.inciweb.org
Acres: 2,700 Start date: May 12, 2012
Cause: Under Investigation Location: 21 miles south of Payson
Containment: 0 percent Fuels: Grass, chaparral, pinyon pine
Terrain: Steep, rugged Resources: 9 crews, 14 engines
Total personnel: 280 Available air support: 4 helicopters, 6 air tankers
Summary: The Arizona Central West Zone Incident Management Team, Bea Day Incident
Commander, is assuming responsibility for the direction of the suppression efforts on the Sunflower Fire at
6:00 p.m. today. Additional resources have been ordered and are responding to the incident.
Driven
by rugged terrain and dry fuels, the Sunflower Fire was active today,
running to the east northeast. Low relative humidity and dry fuels
contributed to the
active fire behavior. In spite of these conditions, firefighters
worked to anchor the fire on the south side and conducted minor early
burnout operations along the west side of Forest Road 201 to improve the
containment lines there.
Drought
conditions in Arizona continue with precipitation this year being
approximately 40% of normal. Fuels in the vicinity of the fire are
currently as dry as would
typically be expected in mid-June.
Threats: The power line southeast of the fire is a concern but is energized at
this time. No structures are threatened. There are no evacuations at this time.
Smoke:
Smoke from the Sunflower Fire is drifting to the east northeast during
the day and is of no immediate concern. During the evenings, smoke
descends and follows the drainages into the communities of Tonto Basin,
Cave Creek and the East Valley.
Visibility
is an excellent measure of air quality. If visibility is ten miles or
more, the air quality is good. Visibility of six to nine miles
indicates moderate
air quality. Three to five miles of visibility indicates conditions
unhealthy for sensitive groups. One and a half to two and a half miles,
the air quality is unhealthy. One to one and a quarter miles indicates
the air quality is very unhealthy. If visibility
due to smoke is less than a mile, the air quality is hazardous. Smoke
sensitive persons in affected areas may need to take action to mitigate
the conditions. Remaining indoors, using air conditioning or
temporarily moving to an unaffected area may be necessary.
For more smoke information and air quality forecasts, please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at
www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/fire.html.
Thank you so much to our firefighters and the wonderful work they do to keep everyone safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, may you be kept safe. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
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