Fire command is being transferred to the Southeast Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team
Upgraded from READY to SET at 11:25 a.m.
By Jon Johnson
FORT THOMAS – The Bryce Fire’s continued march northwest toward Fort Thomas has prompted the Graham County Sheriff’s Office to issue an emergency alert advising Fort Thomas residents in the river corridor area to be placed in SET status for evacuation.
The fire jumped 25- to 30-foot containment lines Friday morning, causing homes in the Eden area to be placed in the SET status for evacuation with the possibility of heading into a “GO” status early Sunday morning. The fire is listed as human-caused, but with no further explanation. On the day the fire started, Graham County Dispatch recorded that an ATV may have exploded, starting the fire.
According to an update on InciWeb, the fire stayed active throughout Friday night as southeast winds fueled it to the northwest through the Gila River bottom. Firefighters stayed engaged into the early morning hours, suppressing numerous spot fires and scouting locations for day shift resources to engage at the head of the fire safely. The fire continues to produce extreme fire behavior with long-range spotting.
On Friday, the fire pushed approximately six miles northwest toward Fort Thomas. Late Friday night, additional resources arrived on the fire, including engines, medical teams, water tenders, and overhead to support the more than 175 personnel currently assigned to the incident.
A second hotshot crew is expected to arrive on the fire Saturday morning. For today’s operational period, a dozer and hand crew will continue working on the north/northwest side of the fire as they try to stop it at its head and keep it from progressing. Crews will also begin prepping the local River Road roughly three miles ahead of the fire to use as a holding feature. Prep work around Fort Thomas is also underway. Firefighters are using direct and indirect tactics as part of overall suppression efforts. Resources are trying to keep the fire north of the U.S. Highway 70, east of Fort Thomas, and within its current footprint in the river bed. The fire is burning within the Gila River bottom near the community of Eden in dense Tamarisk stands. Tamarisk, or salt cedar, is a highly flammable invasive species, challenging suppression efforts. The plant can create extreme fire behavior, producing thick, black smoke when it burns. Hot, dry, and windy conditions are forecast for the weekend. Some areas around the fire remain in SET. This morning, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office issued a SET notification for all homes in the river corridor in the Fort Thomas area.
The fire started on Wednesday, May 7, just before 3:30 p.m., and by the next day, operations called the fire 80% contained at 160 acres. High winds spotted the fire over a 25-30’ containment line on the north end. Those winds and vegetation fueled the fire, pushing it to the north and northeast up past 850 acres. Single-engine air Tankers were ordered but quickly grounded after their use was deemed ineffective by operations. Water scoopers supported the incident for the rest of the day, drafting water out of the nearby San Carlos Reservoir. Multiple power and gas lines were damaged in the fire. At this time, there are no reports of damaged or destroyed structures. On Friday, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office issued a SET notification to all homes between Eden Road and Fort Thomas on the north side of US 70, indicating the possibility of heading into a “GO” status early Sunday morning. Some residents did voluntarily evacuate. U.S. Highway 70 remains open in both directions between Fort Thomas and Safford. However, drivers in the area should be mindful of drifting smoke and any potential intermittent closures due to the fire activity.
Today, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management will transfer command of the fire to the Southeast Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team.
All-Hazard Evacuation Steps
READY – Prepare Now
Be aware of the hazards that can threaten your community.
- Take steps now to prepare for seasonal threats.
- Register with your county/tribal emergency notification system.
- Connect with your local emergency management office, sheriff’s office, and public health department on social media.
- Make a family evacuation and communication plan that includes family phone numbers, out-of-town contacts and family meeting locations. Keep in mind physical distancing recommendations, wearing face coverings or other public health recommendations.
- Build an emergency go kit with enough food, water and necessary supplies for at least 72 hours. Include supplies to help keep you and your family healthy, such as face coverings, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Start with the five P’s; people and pet supplies, prescriptions, papers, personal needs and priceless items.
- Check with your neighbors, family, friends, and elders through video chats or phone calls to ensure they are READY.
- Keep up to date on local news, weather watches, weather warnings, and public health recommendations
SET – Be Alert
Know that there is a significant danger in your area.
- Residents should consider voluntarily relocating to a shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating.
- Grab your emergency go kit.
- Keep in mind the unique needs of your family or special equipment for pets and livestock.
- Stay aware of the latest news and information from public safety and public health officials.
This might be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee they will be able to notify everyone if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Be SET to GO.
GO! – Evacuate
Danger in your area is imminent and life-threatening.
- Residents should evacuate immediately to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area. Residents should avoid close contact with those who are sick and should practice public health recommendations when relocating.
- If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be able to assist you further.
- Follow instructions from emergency personnel, stay on designated evacuation routes, and avoid closed areas.
-Source: Arizona Wildfire Dashboard
