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Watch Fire

Unit Information

P. O. Box 209 San Carlos Arizona 85550 
San Carlos, 
85550 
P. O. Box 209 San Carlos Arizona 85550 
San Carlos, 
85550 

Incident Contacts

Email: 2024.watch@firenet.gov
Phone: 928-475-2326
Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Extension: 330
Phone: 928-242-9703
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Highlighted Media

Fire perimeter and containment map for the Watch and Buckhorn fires. Watch Fire is 100% contained and at 2, 161 acres and the Buckhorn Fire is at 1, 006 acres and 10% containment.

Fire resources responded to the Watch Fire Thursday afternoon, July 11. Fire activity is minimal at this time and is predominately contained to the interior of the fire. Smoke will continue to be seen as unburned material is consumed. 

Firefighters will continue to patrol the Watch Fire over the next few days for signs of activity. 

All Evacuations have been lifted. 

Evacuation shelters continue to be open and are located at the San Carlos High School, Apache Gold Casino, and Michael Noline Memorial. There is transportation available. Please contact (928) 961-6259. 

 

 

Basic Information
Current as of Sat, 07/20/2024 - 11:14
Incident Time Zone America/Phoenix
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Human
Date of Origin
Location 30 miles east of Globe, AZ Gila County
Incident Commander John Truett
Incident Description Brush wildfire
Coordinates 33° 20' 56'' Latitude
-110° 26'
53
'' Longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 145
Size 2,162 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 100%
Estimated Containment Date 07/24/2024
Fuels Involved

Fuels within the Watch Fire planning area include short grass (1' Bermuda grass), short brush (kochia), and timber litter (black willow, cottonwood, and salt cedar). North of the current fire perimeter, fuels transition to a sparse desert ecosystem with isolated patches of very short, cured grasses and multiple forms of cacti (cholla, cats claw, barrel cacti, and saguaros).

Significant Events

The Watch Fire experienced minimal activity with few isolated areas of smoldering. The Watch Fire was flown by an afternoon infrared aerial platform the previous shift and no heat sources were detected via I/R. No visual or thermal evidence of heat have been detected by onsite personnel in several burn periods. The last positive heat source discovered was several days ago in the middle of the dry riverbed where previously deposited woody flood debris was detected smoldering while partially buried. This was mopped up and no heat has been detected since.

 

Outlook
Planned Actions

Continued operations to secure lines and in and around structures and assist with local initial attack.

Projected Incident Activity

12 hours: Minimal threats, interior smokes and areas of heat within burned structures possible.

24 hours: Minimal threats, interior smokes and areas of heat within burned structures possible.

48 hours: Minimal threats, interior smokes and areas of heat within burned structures possible.
 

Remarks

The Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team (Team 2) is also managing the Buckhorn fire which is active and growing in size.

Current Weather
Weather Concerns

The fire area firmly established in a period of increased likelihood of afternoon cell building, scattered precipitation, and chances of lightning. The shower activity is currently isolated but has the potential to become more widespread as the high-pressure dome over the Great Basin shifts position. While this may aid in suppressing the remaining heat sources, the increased potential for lightning also increases the chances of new fires.