Rafael Fire Morning Update –June 28, 2021 from the US Forest Service
For information on evacuation status,and fire activity,there will be a virtual community meeting today at 6 p.m. on the Incident Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RafaelFireInfo/.
Acres: 77,102
Percent Containment: 48%
Date/Time Detected:Friday, 06/18/2021 at 1927 MST
Structures Damaged/Destroyed: 0
Number of Personnel: 633
Cause: Lightning
Origin/Location: 4 miles north of Perkinsville
Today on the north side of the fire, crews will be heavily engaged in securing the fire by patrol and mop up activities. All perimeter firing operations are substantially complete, but smoke from burning interior fuels will continue for a few days. Today smoke is expected in the Verde Valley into Prescott and as winds shift later in the day into the Williams area. Heavy smoke may settle into canyon bottoms and low elevation communities in the Verde Valley over the next few nights. Smoke forecasts are available at Wildfire Smoke Forecast | ADEQArizona Department of Environmental Quality(azdeq.gov) .
On the south side of the fire, aircraft will monitor the perimeter to determine if suppression action is necessary and structure protection specialists will continue monitoring values at risk to prevent damage. Firefighters are prepared for initial attack over the next few days as the probability of thunderstorms and lightning increases. As containment increases some crews and equipment are no longer needed, and will be released for reassignment or rest and recuperation.
Evacuation status as of 6 a.m. June 28
(Notifications are in place until status is rescinded or changed by each respective County Sheriff’s Office):
“GO” in Coconino County Sycamore Canyon and in Yavapai County, Loy Ranch.
“SET” – in Coconino County, Garland Prairie South and Garland Prairie North. In Yavapai County, Grey Ranch, Windmill Ranch and BearMountain.
“READY” -– in Coconino County, South of Williams, Sherwood Forest, Camp Navajo, West of I-17 south of 1-40, Westwood Estates, Flagstaff Ranch (including W.L. Gore), Mountain Dell, Pine Del, Forest Highlands, Kachina Village, University Heights, Equestrian Estates, Upper Oak Creek Canyon, West Fork, Lower Oak Creek Canyon, and in Yavapai County, Sedona.
Information about evacuation status can be found on the Coconino County Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/CoconinoCounty and at the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Department Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/ Maps of evacuation status in Coconino County can be found at: Coconino County Situational Awareness Viewer (arcgis.com)
It’s fire season in Northern Arizona. Residents in Northern Arizona should be Ready. https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go
Full forest closures are in effect on the Kaibab National Forest, Coconino National Forest, and Prescott National Forest Coconino National Forest – Alerts &Notices (usda.gov) Kaibab NationalForest – Alerts& Notices (usda.gov).
and Prescott National Forest – Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)
All Arizona State Trust lands are closed effective Friday, June 25 at 8:00 a.m. Fire Restrictions and Closures Across Arizona | Department of Forestry and Fire Management (az.gov)