Lightning-caused wildfires produce smoke in northern Arizona

PHOTO: Two lightning-caused wildfires on the Coconino National Forest are producing noticeable smoke in parts of northern Arizona. A 40-acre blaze along Highway 89A southwest of Kachina Village is burning at a low-to-moderate rate and crews planned to begin firing operations today. Officials say it’s expected to grow to about 2,100 acres as managers use the fire for ecological benefit. Smoke will be visible from Flagstaff and Sedona and along 89A and Oak Creek Canyon. No structures are at risk. In addition, a wildfire near the C.C. Cragin Reservoir has been slowly smoldering for nearly two weeks and crews plan firing operations there Wednesday and Thursday. Smoke could impact the Blue Ridge community and Highway 87. The area had been slated for upcoming fuels treatments.
KNAU-FM 88.7 Flagstaff

Student meets Scottsdale firefighters who helped save his life

VIDEO: Almost a month ago on Aug. 23, Coronado High School senior Nathan Higuera went into cardiac arrest during early morning football practice. “As the first responders came in over here in the track, I noticed that his breathing stopped, so I just yelled, ‘blue line, blue line,’ and started CPR immediately,” said Rick Benjamin, Coronado’s head football coach. After several days in the hospital, Higuera was diagnosed with a heart condition. “I just couldn’t believe it,” said Vanessa Higuera, Nathan’s mom. “Nathan has always been healthy and has been working out with me since he was 12 years old, and I was just scared.” Since then, Nathan has made a miraculous recovery and is back at school. He thanks his coach and first responders who responded so quickly to help him.
KTVK-TV CBS 3 & KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix (AZ Family)

Crews continue hand ignitions and aerial operations on the Valentine Fire near Young

Monday, crews worked the southern edge of the fire along FSRD 411, conducting hand and aerial ignitions to add depth to the interior of the fire and keeping the line even with the road. Crews used heavy equipment to create depth and make improvements to the containment line along FSRD 848. Today, Crews will continue work along FSRD 411 bringing fire along the containment line west to FSRD 178 and FSRD 788. Hand and aerial ignitions will take place on the western portion of the fire along FSRD 200 progressing toward the southwest corner. The fire will produce considerable amounts of smoke due to excessive fuel accumulation. Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days.
Arizona Emergency Information Network

Flagstaff RV Fire Extinguished

PHOTO: Flagstaff Fire Department dispatched two engines, one rescue, and one battalion chief to the report of an RV on fire in a driveway with flames spreading to the home in front of it in the Country Club neighborhood. Dispatch had received multiple 911 calls on the incident which prompted the battalion chief to upgrade the assignment to include an additional three fire units and another battalion chief. Engine 4 was first on scene and reported a fully involved RV with flames starting to impinge upon the home. Firefighters from Engine 4 performed an aggressive fire attack with pre-connect hose lines while the next arriving units secured a water supply, controlled utilities, and checked for fire extension into the home. The swift response from these units quickly extinguished the RV fire and saved the home from catching fire and causing extensive damage.
MyRadioPlace.com

Residential Structure Fire In Lake Havasu City Injures Three Firefighters

At approximately 3:10 p.m. on Sunday, September 24, 2023, a fire was reported by the homeowner in the 300 block of Silverado Dr. The occupants were alerted by the smoke detectors, discovered smoke coming from the closet area of the master bedroom and exited the structure. The first arriving fire company reported a working fire with smoke coming from multiple locations of the residence as well as the attic vents. Five Engine Companies, one Truck Company, Two Fire Department Medical Units, and a Battalion Chief responded to the fire and gained control of the fire in approximately 90 minutes. The occupants evacuated the house safely. There were three reported injuries to firefighters with one being transported to the hospital for evaluation. LHCFD CERT responded with several members to assist with rehab duties for the firefighters.
The BUZZ

Tucson Fire Department welcomes new fire truck to Station 16

PHOTOS: The Tucson Fire Department (TFD) welcomed a new fire truck to its fleet Monday afternoon, as the new Engine 16 arrived at its permanent home at Station 16. In 2022, more than 10,000 calls for assistance were handled by Station 16, which is located close to East Speedway Boulevard and North Kolb Road. The Tucson Delivers Safer City initiative used Prop 101 funds to purchase the engine. "Purchasing this new engine would not have been possible without the support of our generous community," the TFD tweeted.
KGUN-TV ABC 9 Tucson

Crews Continue to Make Progress on Valentine Fire near Young, now 80% contained

Yesterday, with the sunnier weather crews were able to continue to progress the fire’s edge to the south towards FSRD 411. Today crews will continue with hand and aerial operations adding depth to the interior of the fire. Yesterday, warmer and dryer conditions allowed crews to continue hand and aerial ignitions, creating more depth towards the southern containment line. Scouting continued to the north side of Haigler Creek. Today, crews will work the southern edge of the fire along FSRD 411, conducting hand and aerial ignitions to add depth to the interior of the fire and keeping the line even with the road. Crews will be using heavy equipment to add depth to the containment line along FSRD 848.
Arizona Emergency Information Network

Prescribed fires underway on Bradshaw Ranger District south of Prescott

Fire managers on the Prescott National Forest plan to take advantage of current weather conditions and begin fall prescribed burning in the Prescott Basin on the Bradshaw Ranger District south of Prescott, according to a news release. Ignitions were planned to start on Monday, Sept. 25, and will continue through October depending on weather conditions and resource availability. Several burns are planned east of Highway 89, west of Senator Highway, north of Wolf Creek Road, and south of Goldwater Lake on national forest lands. Four prescribed burns are planned: Goldwater RX – approximately 1,162; Groom Creek RX - approximately 1,092; Ponderosa Park RX – approximately 1,012 acres; and the Indian Creek RX – approximately 1,121 acres.
The Daily Courier