Chitty Fire
Incident: Chitty Wildland Fire
Released: 7/4/2007
LOCATION: The Chitty Fire is on the Clifton and Alpine Ranger Districts of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests; the fire is burning in the Chitty Canyon area adjacent to Highway 191 and Blue Vista Overlook. Forest Road 54 at the top of the Mogollon Rim and Highway 191are being used as a fireline. Estimated distance from Alpine, AZ to the fire is about 27 miles to the south.
STARTED: June 30, 2007, at 1630 hrs. CAUSE: Lightning CONTAINMENT: 25%
ACRES: Approximately 5,700+ acres
FUELS: The fire is burning in ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce, and white fir vegetation on a steep, southwest aspect which is receiving winds that tend to blow the fire uphill during the day and downhill at night. The vegetation atop the Mogollon Rim is similar in composition and is very thick in density but the terrain is relatively flat.
SUMMARY: The fire was active last night as downslope winds pushed the fire to the south and east and increased the size of the burned acreage considerably. Fire fighters burned out portions of fireline adjacent to Highway 191 and also on the northwest flank to stay ahead of the fire. Helicopters were used to drop water on the fire.
Some rain fell on the fire today and the increased relative humidity markedly changed or moderated fire behaviour. Strong winds pushed smoke into the White Mountain communities of Alpine, Nutrioso, Springerville, Eagar, Greer, Show Low, and Pinetop-Lakeside. Fire managers re-routed the fireline on the remote west side to better align the approaching fire with a previously burned area so as to improve the defensibility of the line. A pack string of horses was used to re-supply fire fighters on that west end of the fire. No structures are threatened.
RESOURCES: There are 366 personnel assigned to the fire tonight including: 6 Hot Shot crews, 6 Type 2 hand crews, 11 engines and crews, 1 dozer, and 4 water tenders. Glenn Joki's Type 2 Team is managing this fire.
COST TO DATE: $675,000
CLOSURES: Forest Roads 54 and 84 are closed as is Blue Vista Overlook and KP Cienega Campground; Highway 191 is closed presently due to heavy smoke and due to crews working adjacent to the highway. The highway is closed at its junction with Forest Road 25 (Reno Lookout Road) south to Forest Road 475 (Juan Miller Road), about 37 miles, although the fire is impacting only about 4 miles of the highway. It is uncertain when the highway will open again. An alternate route from Alpine to Clifton is via Highway 180 in New Mexico. Trails that are presently closed to use include: those trails on the west side of Highway 191 such as Salt House, Highline, East Eagle, and Chitty; trails into Bear Wallow Wilderness; trails in the Blue Lookout area including KP and North Fork of KP.
What's Open: Hannagan Campground and Hannagan Meadow Lodge are open as are Upper and Lower Juan Miller and Honeymoon campgrounds. The campgrounds in the Black River are all open. The Grant Creek and Foote Creek trails are open.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Smoking and campfire restrictions are in effect on the entire Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests which means that campfires are allowed only in certain developed campgrounds. No campfires are allowed on the Black Mesa Ranger District (ie Rim Lakes area). Fireworks are prohibited at all times.
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