Tussock Fire Morning Update, May 17, 2021
Organization:
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
Acres: 5,546
Percent Containment: 91
Date/Time Detected: May 8, 2021. 2:15 PM
Structures burned: 0
Number of Resources: 320
Cause: Human under investigation
Origin/Location: 7 miles southwest of Crown King
TUSSOCK SUPPRESSION REPAIR CONTINUES
FIRE OPERATIONS
Yesterday, despite the windy day with 40 mph gusts, there were no new starts in the initial attack responsibility area of the Tussock Fire. While higher relative humidity kept the area from reaching Red Flag weather conditions, the potential for new large wildfires exists.
The fire's over all complexity continues to lessen. The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team #2 will begin to demobilize or reassign personnel and equipment ahead of transitioning the fire to a local incident management organization to complete remaining tasks. The transition will take place tomorrow at 6:00 a.m.
Firefighters will continue to monitor, secure and patrol the fire line. As a majority of firefighters are released throughout the day, engines, hand crews and 2 helicopters will remain assigned to the fire.
Heavy equipment completed road improvements on Forest Road 362 from Hooper Saddle to Minnehaha on Sunday. The crews used dozers and graders to level the road and masticators to remove brush along the roadside. This road improvement will allow for better access to future fires. Chippers also completed their assignments around the community of Crown King. Heavy equipment and personnel will be released this afternoon as the team continues to downsize.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Fire Restrictions are in effect across Arizona. Information is available at https://wildlandfire.az.gov
PUBLIC LAND CLOSURES
All BLM and Prescott National Forest lands, roads, and trails in the area of the Tussock Fire are closed. Full closure details are available on the Tussock Fire Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7472/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TussockFireInfo
Public and Media Information Phone line (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.): 928-228-0720
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.