Fire Information: Phone: (928) 218-4240 daily from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Email: 2025.whitesage@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BLMArizona and https://www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azasd-white-sage-fire
| 27% contained | 58,639 acres | 811 personnel | 15 miles southeast of Fredonia, AZ | Burning in brush, timber, & grass | No structures lost | Cause: lightning |
Highlights
The White Sage Fire is mapped at 58,639 acres, with containment now at 27 percent. The additional eight acres are not from fire growth, but from a recent infrared flight providing higher accuracy. High humidity from rainfall on Wednesday slowed fire activity considerably, and crews were able to make significant progress in containment and suppression efforts throughout the entire fire.
However, the Incident Meteorologist (IMET) forecasts a period of warming and drying over the next few days, which means fire activity may increase as fuels lose moisture and become more receptive to fire. Fine fuels, such as grasses, will likely be combustible today.
In the southwest part of the fire, firefighters will continue mopping up and patrolling for any lingering heat that could re-ignite and start a new fire. In some areas, they have begun suppression repair work, which includes breaking down berms created by dozers and spreading native grass seed to help restore the landscape.
Firefighters in the northwest and north parts of the fire are taking advantage of the recent precipitation to continue direct line construction. Direct line construction is when firefighters create a barrier right at the fire’s edge, which is typically only feasible when fire behavior is less intense so firefighters can safely work close to the fire.
On the east side of the fire, crews are securing the edge working inward from House Rock Road. If conditions allow, there may be some aerial ignitions in the east and southeast portions of the fire to help consume any unburned fuel to create “solid black.” In this context, the term “black” refers to burned fuel, and “green” is unburned fuel. Having solid black helps minimize or eliminate further growth.
Highway 89A will remain closed so crews can safely continue their work of falling fire-weakened trees that could present a danger to firefighters and the public. As these trees are cut down and cleared from the road, crews are chipping the debris so the organic material breaks down faster, which in turn helps the landscape heal from the fire. Until this critical work is completed, the road will need to stay closed to ensure firefighter and public safety.
Fire Weather: The Incident Meteorologist predicts no precipitation and moderate winds today. Fire activity will be moderate and gradually increase over the next few days. There may be some smoke from burning operations in the southeast and east portions of the fire.
Evacuations: Local emergency management officials are coordinating closely with fire managers. Evacuation information is being updated regularly by Coconino County. Residents and the public are urged to stay informed by visiting: Coconino County Evacuation Map
