Secret Fire southwest of Flagstaff Final Update,
April 1, 9:00am

Flagstaff AZ (April 1, 2014) – FINAL UPDATE – The Secret Fire, reported at 9:00 a.m. on March 29, 2014, is located above the rim near Secret Mountain within the Secret Mountain Wilderness approximately 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

The fire remains at 6 acres in size and is 75% contained.  Monday firefighters mopped up one and a half chains in around the fire (each chain equals 66 ft).  Firefighters accomplished progress despite winds.  Today the Mesa Hotshots from the Tonto National Forest and local fire personnel will continue mopping up and monitoring the perimeter for any spots.

Cause is under investigation.

With one of the largest, most diverse, best equipped, and highly trained wildfire suppression forces in the world, the Forest Service is well prepared to respond to wildfires safely and effectively.  This year, the agency has more than 10,000 firefighters, 900 engines, and hundreds of aircraft available for wildfire suppression.

This is the final news release for the Boulder Fire unless a significant change of conditions occurs.

SUMMARY

DATE OF DETECTION:  March 29, 2014
CAUSE:  Under investigation
CURRENT SIZE:  6 acres
CONTAINMENT:  75% contained
LOCATION:  20 miles southwest of Flagstaff
AGENCY:  USDA Forest Service
RESOURCES:  2 Engines, firefighters from Mesa Hotshots, and other fire personnel

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Flagstaff AZ (March 31, 2014) – UPDATE, 9:00am – The Secret Fire, reported at 9:00 a.m. on March 29, 2014, is located above the rim near Secret Mountain within the Secret Mountain Wilderness approximately 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

The fire remains at 6 acres in size with visible smoke and is 70% contained.  Approximately 20 Forest Service fire personnel are on scene including firefighters from the Mesa Hotshots of the Tonto National Forest.  Firefighters will patrol for spots and mop-up today. Strong and gusty southwest winds are expected this afternoon with low relative humidity levels; a chance of showers is forecast mid-week.

Cause remains unknown at this time.

High severity wildfires pose risks to lives, property, and natural and cultural resources that people need and value, such as clean, abundant water; clean air; fish and wildlife habitat; open space for recreation; and other forest products and services.  Visitors should be aware of any fire restrictions or closures before they go camping, but also keep in mind that there is one fire regulation that never expires and is always enforced—your campfire must be out cold-to-the-touch before leaving your campsite.

SUMMARY

DATE OF DETECTION:  March 29, 2014
CAUSE:  Unknown
CURRENT SIZE:  6 acres
CONTAINMENT:  70% contained
LOCATION:  20 miles southwest of Flagstaff
AGENCY:  USDA Forest Service
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:  2 Engines, firefighters from Mesa Hotshots, and other fire personnel

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Flagstaff AZ (March 30, 2014) – UPDATE, 4:00pm – The Secret Fire, reported at 9:00 a.m. yesterday, is located above the rim near Secret Mountain within the Secret Mountain Wilderness approximately 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

The fire remains at 6 acres in size with visible smoke and is 30% contained.  Approximately 40 Forest Service fire personnel are on scene including the Mesa Hotshots from the Tonto National Forest.  Firefighters worked today on dropping snags and catching some spots thrown by the wind; a line is in place on all sides of the fire.  Firefighters experienced strong southwest winds with gusts up to 50 mph and low relative humidity levels. 

Cause remains unknown at this time. A red flag warning is in place. 

Steep slopes with heavy timber, brush, and snags present a hazardous area, safety of firefighters is critical.  Public is encouraged to stay away from the area and not risk their own safety nor the safety of firefighters.  Firefighters and public safety is the first and highest priority in every fire management activity.

SUMMARY

DATE OF DETECTION:  March 29, 2014
CAUSE:  Unknown
CURRENT SIZE:  6 acres
CONTAINMENT:  30% contained
LOCATION:  20 miles southwest of Flagstaff
AGENCY:  USDA Forest Service
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:  1 Type 2 IA crew, 1 Engine, and other fire personnel  

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Flagstaff AZ (March 30, 2014) – UPDATE – 10:00am – The Secret Fire, reported at 9:00 a.m. yesterday, is located above the rim near Secret Mountain within the Secret Mountain Wilderness approximately 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

The fire remains at 6 acres in size with visible smoke.  36 Forest Service fire personnel are on scene including a Type 2 IA crew.  Firefighters will continue direct tactics to keep the fire from getting established on steeper slopes on the North and Northeast sides of the fire; a line is in place on all sides of the fire.  With strong southwest winds and low relative humidity levels predicted today, the fire could develop quickly and burn with high intensities.  Steep slopes with heavy timber, brush, and snags present a hazardous area, safety of firefighters is critical. 

Cause remains unknown at this time. A red flag warning and Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) are in place. 

Public is encouraged to stay away from the area and not risk their own safety and the safety of the firefighters.  Safety is not just a consideration of how we do our work; it is the essence of how we make decisions. 

SUMMARY

DATE OF DETECTION:  March 29, 2014
CAUSE:  Unknown
CURRENT SIZE:  6 acres
CONTAINMENT:  0% contained
LOCATION:  20 miles southwest of Flagstaff
AGENCY:  USDA Forest Service
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:  1 Type 2 IA crew, 1 Engine  

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Flagstaff AZ (March 29, 2014) – UPDATE – Fire personnel responded to the Secret Fire today.  The fire, reported at 9:00 this morning, is located above the rim near Secret Mountain within the Secret Mountain Wilderness approximately 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

The fire is approximately 6 acres in size with visible smoke.  Fuels in the area include timber and brush; the fire is burning at a moderate rate of spread.  Nineteen Forest Service fire personnel were on scene putting in a direct line around the fire and a National Park Service helicopter responded dropping buckets to keep the fire from getting to the steep, inaccessible terrain.  A Type 2 IA crew will arrive on-scene tomorrow to assist firefighters in controlling progression as Sunday’s forecast calls for winds around 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

Cause is unknown at this time.

Visitors should be aware of any fire restrictions or closures before they go camping, but also keep in mind that there is one fire regulation that never expires and is always enforced—your campfire must be out cold-to-the-touch before leaving your campground.

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Flagstaff AZ (March 29, 2014) – Coconino National Forest fire personnel are on scene of the Secret Fire today.  The fire, reported at 9:00 this morning, is located above the rim near Secret Mountain within the Secret Mountain Wilderness approximately 20 miles southwest of Flagstaff. The fire is approximately 4 1/2 acres in size in timber and brush.

Smoke is visible from Flagstaff.  Fire is burning with a moderate rate of spread on all four sides.  Firefighters may remain on scene overnight.

Cause is unknown at this time.

As warm, dry conditions return to northern Arizona, forest visitors are urged to remember campfire safety.  Visitors should be aware of any fire restrictions or closures before they go camping, but also keep in mind that there is one fire regulation that never expires and is always enforced—your campfire must be out cold-to-the-touch before leaving your campground.