Firefighters are preparing for critical fire weather on Monday and Tuesday
By Jon Johnson
FORT THOMAS — Despite the frightening image above, firefighters managed to keep the Bryce Fire in its footprint in the Gila River corridor overnight Sunday as the fire continued to progress northwestward through the Fort Thomas area.
With moderated fire activity overnight, existing control features were reinforced before forecasted critical fire weather for Monday. The forecast prompted fire officials to advise the Fort Thomas School District to withhold classes for all its schools in Fort Thomas on Monday. The Red Flag warning forecasts low relative humidity and high winds with gusts up to 45 mph. It is in effect for Monday and Tuesday.
The Graham County Sheriff’s Office emergency SET notification remains in place for residents in the river corridor in the Fort Thomas area and between Eden Road and Fort Thomas on the north side of U.S. Highway 70. The highway is open, but fire conditions could restrict or delay traffic or force a closure. Drivers are urged to use caution when driving through the area between Fort Thomas and Pima as smoke continues to drift across the highway.
While firefighters work to keep containment lines, there are still plenty of tamarisk and other unburnt fuels smoldering that could ignite and result in an abundance of smoke in the area.
A mile-long containment line was created at River Road as firefighters worked to keep the fire in the riverbed away from the highway and homes. The fire has burned about 10 miles from its original start, just west of Pima, on May 7, just before 3:30 p.m.
Roughly 287 personnel throughout the state are assigned to the fire, including hotshot and hand crews, engines, water tenders, a dozer and excavator, medical teams, and aerial resources. Heavy aircraft is also available if fire conditions warrant. The Southeast Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team under Incident Commander Chad Rice is managing the fire. As of Monday morning, the fire was listed at 2,896 acres with 25 percent containment.
The fire damaged some infrastructure, including power and gas lines. However, no reports of damaged or destroyed structures or homes have been reported.
