The Cellar Fire is Expected to Remain Active Today

Cellar Fire – July 19, 2019 Morning Update

Acres: 7,293 acres Percent Containment: 0 %

Start Date: July 14, 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 Hot Shot Crews, 6 Type 2 IA Crews, 2 Dozers, and 6 Engines

Another active fire day is expected today. The fire remained active overnight due to poor humidity recovery. Fire activity is expected to increase throughout the day, especially in areas where slope and winds align.

Hot shot crews are continuing to construct fireline directly along the fire’s edge on the northwest side of the fire. They have constructed line from the southwest corner of the fire and have made their way northeast to the Deer Spring area. They are continuing to make their way to the northeast to help create a fireline to help protect communities and infrastructure further north of the fire.

Fire crews and equipment are clearing brush along the Forest Road 52 (Senator Highway) on the east side of the fire. They are clearing brush 60 feet deep along the windy, dirt road to create a fireline to help limit the fire’s spread in preparation for the fire advancing to this area. Fire crews with chainsaws, masticators that grind down vegetation, dozers, and engines are working in this area.

Yesterday 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 Code Red alerts, visit the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff/ or call (928) 771-3321.

There is the potential for heavier smoke impacts into the weekend. Daily smoke outlooks are being posted to the Central Arizona Smoke Outlook at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CentralArizona.

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.

Daily video updates are being been posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/.

There is a Cellar Fire Closure Area in effect on the Prescott National Forest. 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://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6443/