Polles Fire

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 6, 2020
 
Acres: 572 acres (IR Flight)
 
Percent Containment: 0%
 
Start Date: Friday, July 3, 2020

Cause: Lightning
 
Origin Location: 11 miles W of Payson, AZ
 
Fuels: Pinion juniper, high desert grass
 
Resources: approx. 220, including

8 crews. 14 engines. 5 helicopters
 
Firefighters continue efforts to contain Polles Fire - Type 1 Incident Management Team transitions into command
 
 
 Payson, Ariz. The area’s extremely dry conditions and the potential for extreme fire behavior have warranted the decision to bring in the support of a Type 1 Incident Management Team. Logistical support required to support the firefighters working in terrain only accessible by helicopter also increased the complexity of the incident. The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team #2, lead by Incident Commander John Pierson, has taken command of the Polles Fire effective 6:00 a.m.
  

“The Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team and the Tonto National Forest have provided our team with a solid foundation of work from which we can continue to suppress this fire safely,” said Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Commander, John Pierson.   Hotshot crews have been flown in by helicopter and their suppression efforts have been supported by airtankers and helicopters. A nighttime increase in humidity has allowed firefighters to make progress in building containment line as they have worked shifts late into the evening for the last few nights. A total of 5 crews are directly engaged on the fire while other firefighters have been working adjacent to the communities, scouting vegetation conditions and enhancing established fuel breaks and roads that could help protect homes and slow fire spread should there be a shift in fire behavior on the fire. 

 
 There are no current threats from the Polles Fire to the communities of Pine-Strawberry or Payson. We do encourage that residents become familiar with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for their county emergency notification system and remain alert, ready and make essential preparations. Visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for more information. 

 
 The Tonto National Forest has a Closure in effect across the forest to prevent new human caused fires.  Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices. 

 
 The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has closed due to the Polles Fire. For more information, visit:  https://azstateparks.com/tonto 

 
 Smoke forecast for the Polles Fire, visit: https://bit.ly/2VNiwiY

  
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

 
Polles Fire Public Information 

 
Public Line: (928) 351-7723‬
 
Media Line: (928) 351-7596 Email: 2020.polles@firenet.gov 
 
Inciweb:  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/ 
 
Tonto NF Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/ 
 
Tonto NF Twitter:  twitter.com/TontoForest 
 
Tonto NF Website:  www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

• Polles Fire Morning Update - July 6, 2020 PDF (pdf 126 kb)