The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Comdr. Alan Sinclair, assumed command of the Sawtooth Fire at 6 a.m. Wednesday, June 3.
The lightning-caused Sawtooth Fire …
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Wildfires are a "No Drone Zone." If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Comdr. Alan Sinclair, assumed command of the Sawtooth Fire at 6 a.m. Wednesday, June 3.
The lightning-caused Sawtooth Fire burning east of Gold Canyon in the Superstition Mountains has burned 21,145 acres and is 8% contained as of late afternoon June 3, according to inciweb.nwcg.gov.
The wildfire, which started May 30, is in steep, rugged terrain near the area of the 2019 Woodbury Fire, 2 miles northeast of Peralta Trailhead.
"Firefighters are fully suppressing the Sawtooth Fire to protect nearby communities and other values at-risk in the area. Firefighter and public safety is our No. 1 priority," a release states at inciweb.nwcg.gov.
"Yesterday firefighters made progress on fire containment along the southern and eastern portions of the fire, working in conjunction with air resources. Structure protection measures were successful in the Queen Valley and Elephant Butte communities," it said.
"In late afternoon, fire activity picked up to the northwest in Peralta Canyon. Air resources dropped retardant and water on the fire in this area, slowing its progress," the release states.
Expect to see increased fire activity again this afternoon as temperatures rise. Slope and fuels will drive the fire. It remains extremely hot and dry. The fire is located in steep, rugged terrain, according to the release.
Today, a hotshot crew, engines and water tenders were to be monitoring and scouting the southwest area of the fire for opportunities to keep the fire from moving to the west and south. On the northwest side, firefighters were to be conducting reconnaissance and scouting the fire for opportunities to keep the fire east of the main Superstition ridgeline.
On the southeast side of the fire a hotshot crew and engines were to be mopping up and patrolling the line to keep the fire out of Elephant Butte and Queen Valley and west of Forest Road 172. Firefighters are also available to assist with initial attack for any new starts in the area, the release states.
Warning notices or evacuations will be coordinated through the Pinal County Sheriff’s office via the Pinal County Emergency Management Office. For more information on the “Ready, Set Go” evacuation and preparedness program, go to ein.az.gov/ready-set-go.
