Massive Heavy Equipment Assists Fire Crew in Building Control Lines
Location: Mingus Mountain, Verde Ranger District (T14N, R2E, SEC 4), Approximately 10 miles east of Prescott Valley; 2 miles south of Mingus Spring Ranch
Start Date: July 21, 2023
Size: Approximately 1049 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Brush, Timber and Short Grass
Resources: 2 Type 1 Crews, 5 Type 2 Crews, 18 Engines, 3 Dozers, 4 Helicopters and additional support personnel
Number of Personnel Assigned: 367
Update: The fire crews accomplished building control lines around the Old Cherry community while also connecting the lines east of the Brindle Pup Mine. Efforts to complete control lines are continuing at the Mingus Mountain Academy using hand tools, saws, and heavy equipment. A combination of hand tools and saws were used to build much needed control lines along the west side of the fire by crews. Control lines are continuing to be constructed along the west side of the fire at Shylock Mine by crews using hand tools and power saws. Progress is being made to protect the 4H Camp with hand crews improving existing control lines and building new lines. The monsoons are continuing to be a safety concern for fire personnel as the push forward building lines. Due to terrain and limited access; firefighters continue to identify hazards as they begin to safely suppress the fire.
Heavy Equipment: Forest Service contracts companies from all over country to work Wildland Fires. One piece of contracted equipment is a boom mounted masticator. This heavy equipment that is used to clear the vegetation 20 feet on both sides of the road creating a control line. This heavy equipment will cut vegetation within two inches of the ground and as high as 24 feet leaving behind wood chips and small branches to help with erosion and enrich the soil. Multiple masticators help the firefighting effort in challenging terrain, steep slopes and tight areas.
Closures: Prescott National Forest Roads along the route beginning at the junction of FR104 and FR143 and extending ¼ mile on either side of FR413 to junction of FR132 then along FR132 to the junction of County Rd 75, Cherry Creek Road.
Fire Restrictions: The entire Prescott National Forest is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions which prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within designated areas for portions of the forest. Under these restrictions, discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except for persons engaged in legal hunting activities, is prohibited on the Prescott National Forest. Fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited year-round on national forests.
For current evacuation information contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260 or follow them at https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff.
