Gladiator Fire
May 21, 2012 @ 9:00 pm
Size: Approximately 14,963 acres Containment: 19%
Cause: Human caused; originated from a structure fire on private property
Terrain: Steep, rugged, difficult access
Resources: 13 Type-1 Crews, 16 Type-2 Crews, 43 Engines, 37 Water Tenders, 5 Dozers, 6 Type 1 Helicopters, 2 Type 2 Helicopters, 2 Type 3 Helicopters, Air Attack
Total no. of personnel: 1,160 personnel Injuries to date: 6
There will be an informal community gathering at 6 pm, Tuesday, May 22 at the Mayer High School, 17300 East Mule Deer Drive, Spring Valley, AZ. A fire update will be provided.
EXTREME FIRE WEATHER CONTINUES TO TEST FIREFIGHTERS
Stronger winds and very low humidity, along with high temperature and extremely dry fuels made firefighters’ work more difficult today. However, despite a top of the scale Haines Index, crews made good progress, and aircraft were used to good effect.
The area of greatest concern is the west flank of the fire. Treatments are being concentrated here to provide a contingency if fire should cross Forest Road 52 (Senator Highway). Fire continued to creep westward toward FR 52, while crews continued to remove fuel along the road. Tomorrow firefighters will hold and improve line as the fire backs toward FR 52 on the extreme southwest corner of the fire.
The dozer line south of Battle Flat road was completed today, and crews employed direct attack on the fire’s edge. Direct attack will continue as crews work south. Contingency line construction in the Pine Flat/Turkey Creek area was essentially completed, while brush removal continues on County Road 177.
Fire activity was minimal on the east side of the fire. Crews continued chipping brush along the Crown King Road. Firefighters will continue to patrol containment lines around the community of Crown King, and along Forest Road 92 tomorrow.
Heavy smoke will continue to be produced by the fire, but unstable atmosphere is likely to allow smoke to ascend and dissipate, reducing any deterioration of air quality. For more smoke information and air quality forecasts, visit
http://www.azfireinfo.com/links.asp#Smoke.
An evacuation order remains in effect for the community of Crown King, and the Battle Flat, Pine Flat, and Turkey Creek areas.
For questions about Evacuations and Roadblocks contact the Yavapai County Sherriff’s Office at 928-713-2709. Be aware that rumors of evacuations are abundant, and ONLY evacuation orders issued by the Sheriff’s Office are valid!
The Red Cross Reception Center in Mayer has been closed. If it becomes necessary, the Center may be reopened.
An expanded Closure Order is in effect, as of May 20, 2012 at 6 p.m., for all Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District land south of the following:
Beginning at the southwest corner, Township 12 North, Range 3 West, Section 33; south of River Pasture, along Forest Road 72 west to FS Road 667, following Middlewater Creek to the south of Maverick Mountain, east to Forest Road 9403C and onto Forest Road 52B connecting to the Senator Highway (County Road 56). Senator Highway east continuing to FS Road 261 east of Mount Union Lookout towards County Road 58 through Breezy Pines, extending to Poland Junction.
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All roads leading into the community of Crown King are closed.
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Cleator – Crown King Road (County Road 59) is closed at Cleator.
· Senator Highway to Crown King (County Road 52) is closed at the junction with Poland Rd. (County Road 58). .
· Mayer-Bolada Road (County Road 177) is closed at the Forest Boundary.
· Forest Road 711 is closed south of the Forest boundary at Cow Creek
· Forest Road 362 is closed south of the Forest boundary at Wagner.
· Forest Road 192 is closed
A Yavapai County fire ban is in effect across all fire ban zones. Prescott National Forest Campfire and Smoking Restrictions are also in effect. For AZ Fire Info & Restrictions Information call
1-877-864-6985 or visit
http://wildlandfire.az.gov.
The public can obtain fire information via the following:
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