< All Press Releases

Mescal Fire Update, June 14, 2021

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

Media Contact:

Southwest Area Incident Management Team
602-428-5397

Acres: 72,250 acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 88% 
Total personnel: 285 
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 

Containment increases on Mescal Fire; New fire wast of Soda Canyon and excessive heat still a threat 

Ko’ Ba Nagoni i’ 

Announcement: There has been no increase in size for the Mescal Fire for the last four days. However, a new fire, called Gravel Fire, was reported near Soda Canyon on Sunday afternoon, June 13. The cause is under investigation and firefighters worked late into the night to fire out and catch the new start. Additionally, fire activity from the Telegraph resulted in the closure of Highway 77, on Sunday afternoon. 

Overview: Today will be the last daily update you will receive from the Mescal Fire unless significant changes occur. As of 8 pm, Monday June 14, both public and media phone lines will be disconnected. Going forward, to obtain information about the Mescal Fire, please contact 520-345-2825 8 am to 4 pm, daily. 

It has been a pleasure for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 to manage the suppression efforts on this incident. The Team will turn over control of the Mescal Fire to Incident Commander Irwin Goseyen. Capable resources are in place to continue to support the ongoing efforts to reach 100% containment. 

Fire Update: Mescal Fire crews continue to patrol the firelines, increasing containment and repairing impacts from firefighting activities across the burn area - including bulldozer lines and other suppression tactics. While no communities are under evacuation orders due to the Mescal Fire, residents are encouraged to stay abreast of potential evacuations due to the Gravel Fire as well as the Telegraph Fire. Evacuation information can be found on county sheriffs’ departments’ Facebook pages, Gila County Emergency Management Facebook page, or the San Carlos Tribal Emergency Response Commission Facebook page, which are listed below. 

Weather: Record breaking temperatures and extreme dryness will continue, although there is a chance for thunderstorms and lightning. As such, fire restrictions remain in place across the region. Please follow local fire restrictions and visit the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention website at WildlandFire.AZ.gov/fire-restrictions to learn more about fire restrictions in your local area.  

Evacuation Status Ready, Set, Go: No evacuations are in place for the Mescal Fire. Continue to be alert and aware of potential evacuations due to the Telegraph Fire.

Highway Closures: Highway 77 in both directions due to the Telegraph Fire. Road status and additional information can be found at https://az511.gov/. 

Smoke: Light to moderate smoke is occurring this morning primarily from the Telegraph Fire. Lesser smoke continues to be observed from the Mescal Fire, with most ground level smoke lifting between 9:00-10:00 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 and US-70 to San Carlos, especially this afternoon when winds will push smoke more east-northeast.

Do I need to be concerned? While it’s always smart to pay attention to air quality where you live, some people may be at greater risk from particle pollution. They include: 

  • People with cardiovascular disease (diseases of the heart and blood vessels)
  • People with lung disease, including asthma and COPD
  • Children and teenagers
  • Older adults
  • Research indicates that obesity or diabetes may increase risk.
  • New or expectant mothers may also want to take precautions to protect the health of their babies.

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.