Cellar Fire – July 22, 2019 Morning Update: Increasing Moisture Helping Suppression Efforts

Contact(s): Cellar Fire Information: 928-925-1111

Increasing Moisture Helping Suppression Efforts

Cellar Fire – July 22, 2019 Morning Update

Acres: Approximately 7,512 acres Percent Containment: 47 %

Start Date: July 14, 2019 Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 16 Miles South of Prescott, AZ Jurisdiction: Prescott National Forest

Fuels: Upper elevation: Ponderosa pine. Lower elevation: Brush, Grass and Chaparral

Resources: 562 personnel including 7 Hot Shot Crews, 4 Type 2 IA Crews, 2 Type 2 Crew, 2 Dozers, and 13 Engines

Much better relative humidity recovery last night is contributing to reduced fire activity. As moisture in the area continues to increase, firefighters anticipate possible isolated showers and thunderstorms. There is potential for lightning, light to moderate rain and strong outflow winds, prompting firefighters to be more aware of changing conditions. Firefighters are prepared to respond to new fires in the area.

The size of the fire perimeter remained stable. Containment along the northwest flank of the fire increased yesterday.

The Blind Indian Creek drainage area on the east side of the fire remains the most active area of the fire. Helicopters will continue dropping water to cool the area, as needed. The northwest flank of the fire is unstaffed due to great work hotshot crews completed over the last few days. Along the northeast corner and southeast flank of the fire, firefighters continue repairing suppression actions that have damaged resources, land, and facilities. The objective of repairs is to return the affected area to pre-wildfire management activity conditions as practical. Handcrews continue chipping vegetation that was cleared as part of suppression actions to strengthen fireline along Forest Road 52 (Senator Highway).

Firefighters continue to actively engage in fully suppressing the fire where they can do so safely and effectively. This includes protecting values at risk including private property and infrastructure in and around Pine Flats, Potato Patch, Wolf Creek, Groom Creek, Indian Creek Walker, and Crown King.

Progression in containment on the northwest flank of the fire and higher relative humidity warrants reduction in fire personal over the next few days. Last night concluded the night shift operations on the fire, shifting some resources to day shift. Released resources are being redirected to various wildfires across the southwest as needed.

A recording of today’s daily operations video update is available to view on the Prescott National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/. No Facebook account is required to view.

Communities remain ‘READY.’ The communities of Pine Flat, Walker, Groom Creek, Wolf Creek, Potato Patch, Indian Creek and Crown King remain in ‘READY’ status. For information on Code Red alerts, visit the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/ .

There is a Cellar Fire Closure Area in effect on the Prescott National Forest. It includes everything south of Wolf Creek including Potato Patch, south to the community of Crown King. The community of Crown King remains open for business. Detailed information and a map are available on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6443/.

Cellar Fire Information: 928-925-1111 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6443/ (announcements, closures, news, maps, photos)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/prescottnf

Interactive Cellar Fire Map is available at https://tinyurl.com/CellarFireMap

Ready, Set, Go Information and Code Red Sign Up: http://www.ycsoaz.gov/

Read the entire article at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/prescott/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD644857