Single Publication

Excessive heat tests the Sand Stone and Deer Fires

Daily Update – Sunday, August 4, 2024

Highlights: The acreage and percent containment of the Sand Stone and Deer Fires remain unchanged despite yesterday’srecord high temperatures and low relative humidities. During a reconnaissance flight, firefighters observed dark grey ash pits within the fire area, indicating some heat still remains in the interior. Drivers should expect to continue to see smoke within the burned area along the west side of State Route 87.

Total personnel on both incidents: 498   

Sand Stone Fire:   Acres: 27,390     Containment: 78%     Start Date: 7/25/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush                 

Operations: Yesterday, firefighters completed chipping activities on Old Highway 87 and in the southern portion of the Sand Stone Fire area. Crews also continued to use masticators to chip and shred vegetation to reduce fuels along Forest Road 201 towards the Mount Peeley Trailhead and along Old Highway 87. This mastication work will be ongoing for the next few days. Crews responded to a third new fire start along State Route 87 and contained the fire at less than one tenth of an acre. Firefighters are beginning to implement actions described in the suppression repair plan, including repairing any cut fences, removing flagging from fire lines, clearing vegetation impacted by fire along roadways, and installing water bars on handlines to minimize erosion. Firefighters will continue to monitor and patrol the fire perimeter and will remain available to provide initial attack to any new fire starts in the area.

Deer Fire:      Acres: 355     Containment: 18%      Start Date: 7/17/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush, timber                

Operations: Fire activity in the Deer Fire remains minimal with no new growth. Firefighters are identifying and assessing structures in Deer Creek, Rye, and Doll Baby Ranch to determine what protections may be needed in the future if wildfire were to move into these areas.

Weather: Very hot temperatures will continue today and Monday. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect for the area around the Sand Stone Fire through Monday evening. Scattered thunderstorms will again develop over the higher terrain in the afternoon. Outflow winds may trigger new storms near or over the fires where the biggest threats will be heavy rain, outflow winds, and cloud-to-ground lightning.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Fountain Hills, Sunflower, Rio Verde, Goldfield, and unincorporated communities in the Rio Verde Foothills. An interactive smoke map is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/. 

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued a closure order for the Sand Stone Fire. More information can be found on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/. Trail users should avoid using the Arizona National Scenic Trail near the fire area.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft or drones. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. Know before you fly. If you fly, we can’t. More information can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

More Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-sand-stone /

480-409-9683 / https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest / 2024.sandstone@firenet.gov