State monitors and plans for consequences of three large fires

State Agencies Support Local Response to Wallow Fire

PHOENIX– Staff at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Phoenix continue to cautiously monitor and proactively plan for the consequences of three large fires—the Wallow Fire, Horseshoe Two Fire and Murphy Complex—burning in Arizona.

The largest fire, the Wallow Fire, is burning in eastern Arizona . Numerous White Mountain communities and subdivisions have evacuated ahead of fire and heavy smoke.

The following is a summary of how State Agencies are assisting in the Wallow Fire response:

·         The State Forestry Division has deployed 264 firefighters, 115 fire engines, 41 water “tenders” or trucks and 4 ambulances to the Wallow Fire from 99 rural fire departments and 12 private industry fire departments around the state. These assets are assisting with the wildland firefighting mission and also providing structural protection in evacuated communities. Several State Forestry Wildland Fire Inmate Crews have been dispatched.

Because the fire has burned off of the forest and onto land under State Forestry Division jurisdiction, costs are being incurred by the state.  The Forestry Division was awarded a Fire Management Assistance Grant from FEMA, which will reimburse the state for 75 percent of firefighting and evacuation costs.

·         The Arizona National Guard has activated their Joint Operations Center and is currently providing logistical fuel support to fire crews at the Wallow Fire with three 2,500 gallon fuel tanker trucks along with its associated crew since Monday.  The fuel tankers are scheduled to provide support for an indefinite time. Arizona National Guard forces are poised to deploy for additional assistance if needed.

·         The Department of Agriculture has deployed livestock officers to perform welfare checks on animals in the area and evacuate livestock that need to be relocated. Evacuated animals are being moved to areas in St. Johns and Show Low. Individuals concerned about livestock or need help to locate evacuated animals should call Apache County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 928-337-4321 or 800-352-1850.

·         The Department of Health Services is assisting licensed facilities to ensure the safety of patients and staff. It is working as needed to coordinate evacuation plans and has been in

contact with every potentially affected facility. The Department is also providing health information about smoke hazards and assisting other state and local agencies as needed.

·         The Department of Environmental Quality has placed Particulate Matter-2.5 air quality monitors in Springerville and St. Johns . The latest data and smoke health effects of hourly readings can accessed for Springerville at http://tinyurl.com/3znq24z and for St. Johns at http://tinyurl.com/3vzz59a.

·         The Department of Transportation is managing 200 miles of closed state highways and supporting evacuation efforts in coordination with emergency managers. ADOT highway staff and law enforcement officers are providing stand-by and on-scene assistance. Construction and routine maintenance projects on corridors along fire-evacuation routes in affected areas have been suspended.

·         People affected by the current wildfires who have questions or problems with their home, auto or health insurance can contact the Department of Insurance for assistance (800-325.2548) or visit www.azinsurance.gov for insurance tips and resources. Evacuees are encouraged to contact their insurance company or agent as soon as feasible.

·         The Game and Fish Department has provided in excess of 30 wildlife officers either working directly with the incident management teams, or with the Apache County Sheriff’s Office on evacuation and security of parts of Eagar and Springerville. The department is also currently preparing web information on impacts the fires might have on wildlife and on hunting and fishing in the affected areas.

·         The Department of Economic Security is monitoring the proximity of the fires to their facilities to ensure vulnerable populations are safe. Vulnerable populations include group homes for Child Protective Services, people with disabilities and the elderly.  A DES office and a group home for people with disabilities within Eagar have evacuated and relocated to other DES facilities.

Arizonans have a reputation for showing terrific generosity in trying times. In the spirit of charity, people often want to support evacuees with in-kind donations of goods, services and money. Persons interested in making contributions to non-governmental agencies currently providing assistance to impacted Arizonans, can visit www.AzEIN.gov or call Wallow Fire information at (702) 308-3238, (702) 308-3357 or (702) 308-8227.

Visit the Arizona Emergency Information Network (AzEIN) website at www.AzEIN.gov for real-time emergency updates, preparedness and hazard information, and multimedia resources.