Aircraft Assist Fire Crews by Delivering Water and Retardant to Protect Properties
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: 27%
Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Brush, Timber and Short Grass
Resources: 1 Type 1 Crew, 2 Type 2 Crews, 6 Engines, 1 Helicopters and additional support personnel
Number of Personnel Assigned: 197
Update: Masticators (heavy equipment) and fire crews working along the FR132 have completed their task of building control lines. Ongoing efforts to construct the lines up the FR9002W north of Whitehorse community continues. All lines have been completed on the east side of the fire meeting the objectives set early in the fire response. There will be fire crews remaining in the fire area to maintain a presence and patrol for fire activity. Again, the public should be very careful while in the area watching out for fire personnel and equipment still working in the area.
Aircraft: An increasing number and type of aircraft assist fire personnel on the ground during fire suppression. The Grapevine Fire ordered and deployed drones, helicopters, and tankers. Drones were used for observation and infrared heat detection. On July 25, 2023, the day Whitehorse community was evacuated, helicopters carried and dropped over 23,000 gallons for water on the fire. A 737 type medium airtanker flying out of the Prescott Airport alone delivered 102,433 gallons of retardant. Many other tanker aircraft also provided thousands of gallons of retardant during the community evacuation. These aircraft only assist the fire crews on the ground and do not suppress the fire on their own.
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.
