Operational Briefing Video

Cellar Fire Now 47% Contained

Cellar Fire – July 21, 2019 Evening Update

Acres: Approximately 7,512 acres Percent Containment: 47 %

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: 562 personnel including 7 Hot Shot Crews, 4 Type 2 IA Crews, 2 Type 2 Crew, 2 Dozers, and 13 Engines

While temperatures remained high today, humidity continues to increase in the area over the fire. Observed fire activity was minimal, with smoldering within the fire perimeter. Increased moisture and decreased winds into the night are expected to further reduce fire activity.

Fire growth halted. The reported fire acreage remained static today.Containment along the northwest flank of the fire increased, and crews have transitioned out of this area. It will continue to be monitored by aerial resources.

The Blind Indian Creek drainage area on the east side of the fire still shows hot spots. Helicopters dropped water to cool the area, and firefighters continue to monitor this area closely.

Firefighters continue suppression repair. The objective of suppression repair is to repair damages to resources, land, and facilities caused by the fire suppression activities, and to return the affected area to pre-wildfire management activity conditions as practical. Crews installed water bars along dozer lines to slow and disperse the flow of water and lessen erosion on areas impacted by fire suppression activities.

Firefighters awareness remains high as thunderstorms are expected. Incoming storms predicted for early this week bring lighting along with moisture. Firefighters stand ready to engage in the event of a new start.

A recording of Daily Operations Video Update is available to view on the Prescott National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/. No Facebook account is required to view.

Communities remain ‘READY.’ The communities of Pine Flat, 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/.

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/ (announcements, closures, news, maps, photos)

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

Interactive Cellar Fire Map is available at https://tinyurl.com/CellarFireMap

Daily Smoke Outlook: Central Arizona Smoke Outlook at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CentralArizona

Ready, Set, Go Information and Code Red Sign Up: http://www.ycsoaz.gov/