Tussock Fire Morning Update, May 15, 2021
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
Acres: 5,546
Percent Containment: 74%
Date/Time Detected: May 8, 2021. 2:15 PM
Structures burned: 0
Number of Resources: 419
Cause: Human, under investigation
Origin/Location: 7 miles southwest of Crown King.
Weekend Recreationists Encouraged to Practice Fire Safety
Fire Restrictions Across Arizona began yesterday May 14, 2021. Information is available at https://wildlandfire.az.gov
As valley temperatures increase, people are headed to public lands north of Phoenix this weekend. Incident officials are asking that motorists drive slowly and stay out of the fire closure areas. People can prevent human-caused fires by practicing these safety measures:
- Tighten towing chains to not drag on I-17 or any pavement; the chains can easily spark a fire.
- Pull vehicles over where there is no vegetation; vehicle heat can ignite the drought-stricken grasses.
- OHV operators must stay on trails. Vegetation where they ride can easily ignite.
FIRE OPERATIONS
Today no fire movement or growth is expected despite a second day of hot temperatures. The forecast shows low humidity and winds gusting to 40 miles per hours, resulting in critical fire conditions, especially on the ridge of Silver Mountain. Crews are remaining vigilant all around the fire, monitoring, patrolling, and securing the control lines.
The southern fire perimeter has essentially run out of fuels and isolated hot spots are burning themselves out. Up in the northern areas, smoldering isolated hot spots are in steep and rocky areas that are well interior of control lines. They do not pose a hazard to containment. These hot spots should burn out on their own within the next two to three days.
Officials are preparing for potential dry lightning, and firefighters are available for initial attack of new fire starts.
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/
Public Information Phone line (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) 928-228-0720
Media Information Phone Line: 928-421-4579
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TussockFireInfo
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.