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Cave Creek Complex Fire grows to 167,000 acres

Thursday, June 30, 2005

As the Cave Creek Complex Fire creeps to within 12 miles of the Pine and Strawberry communities, fire crews continue to work to strengthen fire lines along the East Verde River.

Fire officials have annnounced that the Verde River is the trigger point to announce evacuations orders for the two mountain communities.

As of this update, fire lines are still holding west of the Verde River and there are no evacuations in place on private lands near the fire.

Fire crews are also improving fire lines on the west side of the New River Mountains. The fire is slowly backing down toward the fire lines and is clearly visible from the I-17 corridor in many locations.

Western Area Power Administration, in conjuction with the Incident Management Team, may decide to de-energize 345 KV power transmission line to ensure the safety of firefighters working under teh power line, at the request of the operations group.This will not result in disruption of service in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Monday afternoon, the Cave Creek Fire entered the eastern edge of the New River Mountains and is now close to the southern boundary of the Pine Mountain Wilderness. Today's fire suppression goals include keeping the fire east of the summit of the New River Mountains and west of the Verde River and Horseshoe Dam Road.

An area closure south of State Route 260 and west of State Route 87 on the Coconino National Forest has closed access to Fossil Creek, Irving and Childs as a precautionary measure. The entire Cave Creek Ranger District is closed to public access with the exception of Bartlett Lake and the Mazatzal Wilderness Area.

For further information on Forest closures, look on the web at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire under Restrictions.

Cave Creek Fire Statistics:

Total Acres: 167,000

Start Date: June 21, 2005; 4:45 p.m.

Cause: Lightning

Location: 5 miles NE of Carefree, AZ and 12 miles southwest of Pine/Strawberry

Containment: 20%

Expected Full Containment: Unknown

Threatened Resources: Cave Creek, Seven Springs and Lime Creek riparian areas. T & E species including Gila top-minnow, willow flycatcher, bald eagle and razorback sucker. Archeological resources. Larry Canyon is an important riparian habitat for nesting Mexican blackhawk and occupied habitat for Gila chub. It is also a portion of the Perry Mesa historic register site.

Fuels: Oak & Chaparral brush & grass

Terrain: Step topography, extremely flashy fuels, & poor access.

Cost: $3,443,052

Total Personnel: 850

Crews: 15 Type 1; 8 Type 2 crews

Equipment: 26 engines; 7 dozers

Air Support: Helicopters: 4 Type 3; 4 Type 2 ; 4 Type 1

Evacuations & Closures: 250 homes, 175 people;

BARTLETT LAKE IS OPEN

Damage: 11 residences, 3 out buildings in Camp Creek