Aerial Resources Effectively Supporting Firefighters on the Ground – Cellar Fire Update, July 18, 2019 PM

Contact(s): Fire Information: 928-925-1111

Acres: 7,008 acres Percent Containment: 0 %

Start Date: July 18, 2019 Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 16 Miles South of Prescott, AZ Jurisdiction: Prescott National Forest

Fuels: Upper elevation: Ponderosa pine. Lower elevation: Brush, Grass and Chaparral

Resources: 367 personnel including 7 Airtankers, 7 Helicopters, 7 Hot Shot Crews, 6 Type 2 IA Crews, 2 Dozers, and 6 Engines

The Cellar Fire was active this afternoon on the north and east perimeter of the fire and moved in to North Fork drainage towards Yankee Mine. A Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) was effective in slowing the fire’s spread on the east side of the fire. Additional air tankers continued to support hotshot crews working on the northwest flank of the fire.

Firefighters continue structure protection in the Pine Flat community and the Palace Station historic site.

This afternoon the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office issued a Code Red ‘GO’ mandatory evacuation for the residents located in Pine Flat. A shelter has been set up at the Prescott High School. For information please call 928-771-3260.

The communities of Walker, Groom Creek, Wolf Creek, Potato Patch, Indian Creek and Crown King remain in ‘READY’ status. For information on the Code Red alerts you can visit the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/ or call (928) 771-3321.

A recording of tonight’s Cellar Fire Community Meeting is available to view on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/. No Facebook account is required to view it.

A warmer and drier weather pattern is forecasted to continue into the weekend. These conditions bring the potential for more fire activity leading to the possibility of heavier smoke impacts to the surrounding areas. Any smoke produced by the fire should move to the areas northeast and east of the fire. The highest concentrations are expected in the low lying areas adjacent to the fire overnight and into the early morning hours.

Air quality monitoring is currently being conducted in the communities of Cordes Lakes, Dewey/Humbolt and Camp Verde. Realtime air quality monitor data: Cordes Lakes & Dewey/Humbolt https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap

Camp Verde: https://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx.

Firefighters will continue to actively engage in fully suppressing the fire where they can do so safely and effectively. This includes protecting values at risk including private property and infrastructure in and around Pine Flats, Potato Patch, Wolf Creek, Groom Creek, Indian Creek Walker, and Crown King.

A Prescott National Forest Cellar Fire Closure Order went into effect this morning. It includes everything south of Wolf Creek including Potato Patch, south to the community of Crown King. The community of Crown King remains open for business. Detailed information and a map are available on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6443/.

Cellar Fire Information: 928-925-1111 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6443/ (Fire info, maps, photos, links to cooperators and related info)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/prescottnf

Yavapai County Emergency Operations Center: 928-771-3321 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)

Ready, Set, Go Information and Code Red Sign Up: http://www.ycsoaz.gov/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/

Read the entire article at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/prescott/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD644035