The Sand Stone Fire burning in the desert north of Fountain Hills is reported to be 24,133 acres Wednesday morning, July 31, with 20% containment being reached.
The fire is burning between the …
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The Sand Stone Fire burning in the desert north of Fountain Hills is reported to be 24,133 acres Wednesday morning, July 31, with 20% containment being reached.
The fire is burning between the Verde River and State Route 87 (Beeline Highway. Residents in the community of Sunflower are still keeping a close eye on the fire and are being advised by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to enter the SET mode to ready for possible evacuation. Preparing residents and livestock for potential evacuation.
Arizona Department of Transportation and fire officials have closed the southbound lanes of SR 87 between SR 188 south of Payson to the Bush Highway just north of Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. Motorists who need to travel this route are advised to make other plans as the length of the closure is undetermined. Northbound lanes are open.
A Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) has established the primary objectives for the firefighters are to protect private property, assist the community of Sunflower as needed and hold the fire west of SR 87. There are natural and environmental resources to protect as well as power transmission lines.
There are now more than 300 fire personnel on the scene being assisted by air support as available. There is reported active fire behavior and smoke plumes visible for miles around which may impact local air quality. Challenges for firefighters include high temperatures, wind conditions and low humidity with no monsoon activity forecast for several days. Firefighters are being assisted by two “super scooper” planes dipping water from Bartlett Lake to drop on the fire. Three Type 1 helicopters are also supporting firer fighting crews.
Fire officials are also monitoring two small fires in the Mazatzal Wilderness farther north of the San Stone blaze. The Deer Fire has burned 279 acres and the Davenport Fire has burned about 450 acres as of Wednesday morning.
The Sand Stone Fire is the latest of six desert wildland fires that have burned more than 40,000 acres in the Tonto National Forest Cave Creek Ranger District since early June.
The Times Independent invites readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Bob Burns can be reached at bburns@iniusa.org.
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