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Mescal Fire Update, June 11, 2021

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Gila District Office

Media Contact:

Southwest Area Incident Management Team
602-428-5397

Acres: 72,250 acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 77% 
Total personnel: 345
Start Date: Monday, June 1, 2021 
Location: 12 mi SE of Globe, AZ; 7 mi NE of Dripping Springs, AZ 
Fuels: Desert Brush, Oak, and grass 

Crews continue to gain containment; Available for new starts

Ko’ Ba Nagoni i’ 

Overview: The Mescal Fire has not grown, remaining at 72,250 acres. Fire activity decreased, and containment increased, which has now reached 77% containment. Communities on the east side of the Mescal Fire have been returned to “READY” status. The following communities are in “SET” status, due to the Telegraph Fire: El Capitan (east and west of Highway 77), Beverly Hills Area, and Skill Center. 

Fire Update: Overall, fire activity continues to decline, while fire potential is still extremely high. Firefighters are patrolling and reinforcing firelines around the perimeter and remain ready in case of any new starts. Firefighters have been successful at reinforcing line along the North, East, and South perimeters and are now focused on strengthening defenses along the fire’s western edge. 

We continue to conduct routine infrared flights over the burned area in the evening, which reveal areas of heat that indicate fire activity. Last night’s flight indicates that the heat and fire activity is located inside the fire and not a threat to firelines. Fire activity and hot spots are decreasing as containment increases. Smoke may still be visible and firefighters, supported by air resources, are working to suppress any heat near the firelines or any new starts. 

Though the day marked a doubled percentage increase in containment for the Mescal Fire, signaling a potential path to full containment in the near future, there are several new fires across the state and the region. It is estimated that anywhere from 85% to 97% of wildland fires are human caused. This fire year is predicted to be intense. Please follow local fire restrictions due to the hot, dry, and windy conditions. Sparks from campfires, vehicles without spark arrestors, target shooting, improper disposal of smoking materials, and fireworks are among the top causes of wildfires. Please visit the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention website https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions to learn more about fire restrictions in your local area.

Weather: Today, temperatures are expected to increase and range from 96-99 F, with 4-7% relative humidity and 11-16 mph sustained winds with 28 mph gusts. Weather conditions are expected to be warmer over the next week.

Evacuation Status Ready, Set, Go:

The following communities have been returned to “Ready” status: San Carlos, San Carlos High School area, Peridot, and Peridot South, and Soda Canyon.
The following communities are is “SET” Status due to the Telegraph Fire: Beverly Hills area, El Capitan, both east and west of Highway 77 and Skill Center.

Highway Closures: Highway 60 between Superior and Miami remains closed due to the Telegraph Fire.

Smoke: Light to at times moderate smoke is occurring this morning primarily from the Telegraph Fire. Lesser smoke is being observed from the Mescal Fire with most ground level smoke lifting between 900-1000 AM. As fire activity increases this afternoon, moderate smoke will push northeast from the Telegraph Fire. This will impact the US 60 corridor from Miami to Globe, especially this afternoon when winds may push smoke more east-northeast. Moderate impacts are expected as smoke settles into the US 60 corridor between Superior and Globe, with lighter impacts in San Carlos and Peridot tonight into Saturday. With strong high pressure building into the region, expect a general haze increasing through the weekend. The Daily Smoke Outlook can be found at: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternArizona 

Values: Firefighter and public safety are the highest priorities on these fires. Firefighters are also working to protect the communities of San Carlos, Peridot, El Capitan, Drippings Springs, Soda Canyon, Skill Center and Beverly Hills; Mescal and T11 ranches, the powerline supplying San Carlos and Peridot, as well as historic and cultural sites within the fire area.

More Information:

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7507/
Mescal Fire Information Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mescal-Fire-Information-101095532201192 
Highway Closure Information: https://az511.gov/
Evacuation Information:

Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go 
Smoke Report: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/EasternArizona 
San Carlos Apache Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCATFORESTRY
BLM-Arizona Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMArizona 
Fire Restrictions in Arizona: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.