Bumble Bee Fire Update, August 8, 2020
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
Acres: approx. 2,700 acres Percent Containment: 20%
Start Date: Friday, August 7, 2020 Cause: Human Caused – Under Investigation
Origin Location: 10 miles E of Crown King, AZ Fuels: high desert grass and brush
Personnel Assigned: approx. 100 personnel
Bumble Bee Fire burns in the Bradshaw Mountains north of Phoenix
PHOENIX – Unseasonably hot and dry conditions continue to keep Arizona firefighters busy. The Bumble Bee Fire burning west of Interstate 17(I-17), started Friday morning in the eastern foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains north of Phoenix and quickly grew to over 2,000 acres threatening the community of Bumble Bee to its east and putting the communities of Cleator and Crown King to its northwest on alert. Firefighters on the ground were assisted by airtankers and helicopters consistently throughout the day. Fire managers are working closely with Yavapai County Sherriff’s Office to coordinate any emergency alerts, evacuations, or road closures. Arizona Red Cross has set up an evacuation center in support of the fire at Mayer High School to be used as needed.
The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team was called in to assist with the fire and command of the fire was transitioned to the team late Friday night. Firefighters worked late into the night in areas where they could safely. Throughout the day today they will continue to work with the support of airtankers and helicopters as needed. Firefighters will also be working ahead of the fire evaluating the communities at risk and looking for safe locations to build or improve breaks in vegetation that can work to hold or stop the fire’s forward progress.
Evacuations: No evacuations currently. At this time the communities of Bumble Bee and Cleator are in “READY” status in accordance with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program.
Closures: The Bumble Bee Rd/County Road 59 is closed between the Maggie Mine Road and the Crown King Road. The Maggie Mine Road remains open for travel to Black Canyon City and the Crown King Road is open and accessible from Bloody Basin and north from Spring Valley and Mayer.
The public is reminded that wildfires are a “No Drone Zone.” Air operations on the fire were temporarily stopped when a drone was spotted in the fire area, it is suspected that the pilot was operating from the Sunset Point Rest Area. The use of private drones around or near a wildfire is prohibited by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulation and Arizona Statute.
Fire Danger is high. Use caution when recreating or working outdoors. Check for fire restrictions or information on fire activity around Arizona at: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/
Sign up for Yavapai County's Code Red Emergency Alert System: https://www.ycsoaz.gov/community/Emergency-Preparedness/Emergency-Notification-System
Learn more about Arizona's Ready-Set-Go program: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go
Bumble Bee Fire Information on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6930/
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.