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Mescal Fire Update, June 9, 2021

Organization:

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Gila District Office

Media Contact:

Southwest Area Incident Management Team
602-428-5397

Acres: 70,066 acres
Cause: Under Investigation
Containment: 33% 
Total personnel: 610 
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 reinforce firelines and catch spot fire to the west

Ko’ Ba Nagoni i’ 

Announcement:  US Highway 70 between Globe and Safford reopened to all traffic at 8:00 am. 

Overview: Firefighters continued to secure and reinforce all fireline perimeters. A spot fire occurred yesterday to the west of the 700 Road which consumed 2400 acres before it was secured. 

Fire Update: Overall, fire activity continues to decline but resources are ready to respond to any new fires or assist with spot fires caused by current weather conditions and the resulting spread that may occur. 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. Yesterday a spot fire occurred along the western edge just over the fireline being constructed along the 700 Road, igniting 2400 acres of brush. Firefighters were already on scene and immediately moved to suppress the flames. Air resources, including helicopters and air tankers were mobilized helping firefighters on the ground to be able to catch the spot fire. The spot fire caused evacuations in Beverley Hills and T-11 Ranch. Additional dozer lines were built between the new fire perimeter and Beverly Hills to keep fire from reaching these structures. 

Weather: Weather over the next two days should be relatively consistent between 93-96 F, 5-8% relative humidity, 11-16 mph sustained winds with 28mph gusts. Winds throughout the day are expected to shift from the south in the morning to southwest in early afternoon, and potentially west in the evening.

Evacuation Status Ready, Set, Go: 
Yesterday, the communities of Beverly Hills and the T 11 Ranch were placed in "GO" status. The number of evacuated individuals from these areas is not yet known. The community of East El Capitan (East of Highway 77) remains in "GO" status.

The communities of the Soda Canyon and Coyote Flats were placed back into "Set" status and approximately 150 residents were allowed to return to their homes. The Communities of Skill Center, Lower Peridot, South Peridot, West El Capitan (West of Highway 77) remain in "Set" status. Highway 70 and 77 remains closed. The highways are closed for public and firefighter safety. For current highway information visit https://az511.gov/. An area closure remains in effect for the fire area.

Highway Closures: The Arizona Department of Transportation has closed State Route 77, between Winkelman and US Highway 70, due to smoke and to allow firefighters to travel to and work safely in the area. US Highway 70 between Globe and Safford reopened to all traffic at 8:00 am this morning.

Smoke: Moderate to heavy 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 to heavy 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 compared to past days. Light to at times moderate smoke will be possible along SR70 from Globe to Peridot. Moderate to heavy smoke 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 Thursday. 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 

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.