2021 Arizona wildfires
![]() | This article is about a current wildfire where information can change quickly or be unreliable. The may not reflect the most up-to-date information. This wildfire is still actively burning so residents should refer to local authorities for up-to-date information. |
2021 Arizona wildfires | |
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Statistics | |
Total fires | 1,100+ (As of August 12) |
Total area | 541,214 acres (219,022 ha) |
Deaths | 2[1] |
Season | |
← 2020
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The 2021 Arizona wildfire season is an ongoing series of wildfires that have been burning across the state of Arizona, United States. As of August 12, 2021, nearly 550,593 acres (222,817 ha) of land have burned in at least 1,100 fires throughout the state, fueled in part by a drought, hot temperatures, and thunderstorms producing dry lightning.[2][3] At one point in late June, there were over 20 active wildfires burning across the state.[4][5] These fires were brought on by poor land management.
The total acres burned between the start of the year and the end of June was 22% more than during the same period of the preceding season, which itself was the most active season in nearly a decade.[6] The spike in wildfires in Arizona is due to a 'Megadrought' that is occurring in the Western United States, as well as a heat wave with many western cities hitting record-breaking temperatures.[7][8]
Background[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/June_2021_Southwest_Heatwave.gif/220px-June_2021_Southwest_Heatwave.gif)
The Arizona wildfire season usually begins in May and lasts through mid-July, when the North American Monsoon provides the Southwestern U.S with heavy rainfall to slow down fire activity throughout the region. But in June 2021, the Telegraph Fire became the 6th largest wildfire in Arizona history.[9] Wildfires in Arizona lately have been making headlines due to a ridge of high pressure hovering over much of the southwest and severe drought also playing a major role in the Arizona wildfire season with more than 50% of the state being in 'Exceptional Drought'.[10][11][12] The drought in the southwest has been making the job of fighting wildland fires difficult because of water shortages in the region.[13] Arizona has also been seeing record-breaking temperatures with Phoenix hitting a high of 118 °F (47 °C) on June 17.[14] Earlier on June 9, governor Doug Ducey issued Declarations of Emergency in response to the Telegraph and Mescal fires. The declarations provided up to $400,000 (USD) for efforts of response to wildfires.[15]From June 14 to June 20, dry thunderstorms rolled into Arizona and produced dry lighting which spawned a larger outbreak of wildfires throughout the state.[16]The outbreak got so bad that at one point, 5 out of 6 national forests had to be closed to the public in late June. These national forests include the Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott, Tonto and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests.[17] The only people that were allowed in the forests were firefighters and people who own property in the forests.[18][19]
List of wildfires[]
The following is a list of fires that burned more than 1,000 acres (400 ha), or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
Name | County | Acres | Start date | Containment date | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Margo | Pinal | 1,148 | April 8 | April 13 | Human Caused; wildfire destroyed 17 structures, 12 of them were homes. | [20][21] |
Bonito Rock | Apache | 1,668 | April 19 | May 6 | Cause is Under Investigation | [22] |
Flag | Mohave | 1,265 | April 25 | June 7 | Cause is Under Investigation | [23] |
Copper Canyon | Gila | 2,875 | May 7 | May 24 | Human Caused; started 3 miles northeast of Globe | [24][25] |
Tussock | Yavapai | 5,546 | May 8 | May 24 | Human Caused - Specific cause under investigation | [26][27] |
Boggy Creek | Apache | 2,945 | May 23 | May 31 | Lightning-Sparked | [28][29] |
Sycamore Canyon | Pima | 1,858 | May 23 | June 4 | Cause is Under Investigation | [30] |
McDonald Tank | Apache | 3,550 | May 23 | June 22 | Cause is Under Investigation | [31] |
Warren | Cochise | 1,400 | May 25 | June 7 | Cause is Under Investigation | [32] |
Spur | Yavapai | 153 | May 27 | May 30 | Human Caused; the fire destroyed 20 structures (including 13 homes) in the mining town of Bagdad | [33] |
Mescal | Gila | 72,250 | June 1 | June 18 | Cause is Under Investigation | [34][35] |
Telegraph | Pinal, Gila | 180,757 | June 4 | July 3 | Human Caused; the fire has destroyed 51 structures. It is the largest wildfire in Arizona in the 2021 wildfire season so far. | [36] |
Slate | Coconino | 11,435 | June 7 | July 5 | Cause is Unknown; fire started 23 miles Northwest of Flagstaff | [37] |
Shamrock | Santa Cruz | 1,104 | June 9 | June 16 | Cause is Under Investigation; burned in the Patagonia Mountains | [38] |
Pinnacle | Graham | 34,437 | June 10 | July 16 | Cause is Under Investigation; the fire burned in the Santa Teresa Mountains | [39] |
Cornville | Yavapai | 1,240 | June 13 | June 21 | Cause is Under Investigation; the fire burned 2 miles east of Cornville | [40][41] |
Winchester | Cochise | 1,800 | June 14 | June 20 | Lightning-Sparked | [42] |
Bear | Greenlee | 24,067 | June 16 | September 8 | Lightning-Sparked | [43][44] |
Horton Complex | Greenlee | 12,263 | June 16 | July 13 | Lightning-Sparked; the fire burned within the 2011 Wallow Fire burn scar | [45][46] |
Backbone | Yavapai, Gila, Coconino | 40,855 | June 16 | July 19 | Lightning-Sparked; the fire was sparked 12 miles west of Strawberry | [47][48] |
Rafael | Yavapai, Coconino | 78,065 | June 18 | July 15 | Lightning-Sparked; the fire exploded in size on June 20 due to high winds | [49][50] |
West Chev | Coconino | 1,170 | June 19 | July 2 | Lightning-Sparked | [51] |
Wyrick | Navajo | 7,592 | June 19 | July 3 | Lightning-Sparked | [52] |
Walnut | Cochise | 10,667 | June 20 | June 29 | Lightning-Sparked | [53][54] |
Alamo | Santa Cruz | 4,953 | June 20 | June 30 | Fire extends into Mexico - area given is Arizona only. An additional 4,386 acres (1,775 ha) are burning in Mexico | [55] |
MM 25 I-15 | Mohave | 1,007 | June 24 | July 2 | Cause is Under Investigation | [56] |
Planet Ranch | La Paz, Mohave | 1,260 | June 24 | July 3 | Lightning-Sparked | [57] |
Bottom | Graham | 6,004 | June 28 | July 14 | Lightning-Sparked | [58] |
Middle | Yavapai | 2,792 | June 29 | July 23 | Lightning-Sparked | [59][60] |
Midway | Yavapai | 1,762 | June 30 | July 16 | Lightning-Sparked | [60][61] |
Tiger | Yavapai | 16,278 | June 30 | July 30 | Lightning-Sparked | [62] |
Firebox | Apache | 1,063 | July 7 | July 23 | Lightning-Sparked | [60][63] |
Snap Point | Mohave | 9,843 | July 10 | July 13 | Lightning-Sparked | [64] |
Elements | Mohave | 1,343 | July 11 | July 18 | Lightning-Sparked | [65] |
Lime | Mohave | 2,063 | July 12 | July 16 | Cause is Under Investigation | [66] |
Evacuations[]
![]() ![]() Margo ![]() Flag ![]() Tussock ![]() Spur ![]() Telegraph ![]() Pinnacle ![]() Cornville ![]() Backbone ![]() Rafael ![]() West Chev ![]() Wyrick ![]() Walnut ![]() Tiger ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Wildfires only causing evacuations listed on map
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Margo Fire:[67] Dudleyville
Tussock Fire:[69] Fort Misery and Horsethief Basin
Telegraph Fire:[71] El Capitan, Dripping Springs, Miami, Top-of-the-World, Government Springs, Wind Spirit, Hagen Ranch, and Slash S Ranch
Pinnacle Fire:[72] Klondyke and Aravaipa
Cornville Fire:[73] Parts of Cornville (East of Page Springs Road)
Backbone Fire:[74] Strawberry and Pine
Rafael Fire:[75] Areas around Sycamore Canyon
Wyrick Fire:[76] Antelope Valley and portions of Heber
West Chev Fire:[77] Woods Canyon Lake
Walnut Fire:[78] Residents near Dragoon
Tiger Fire:[79] Horsethief Basin
See Also[]
References[]
- ^ Spells, Atla; James, Laura (July 11, 2021). "2 crew members killed while helping fight the Cedar Basin wildfire in Arizona". CNN. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ Bassler, Hunter (July 13, 2021). "Arizona wildfires have burned more acres than the next four most-burned states combined, officials say". KPNX. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ "Arizona wildfires have burned more acres than the next four most-burned states combined, officials say". 12news.com. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ "More than 20 wildfires burning in Arizona". kvoa.com. kvoa.com. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
- ^ "Backbone Fire swells to 6,000 acres, evacuations for Pine, Strawberry, Hunt Ranch". azfamily.com. Azfamily News Staff. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
- ^ Duda, Jeremy (June 30, 2021). "Biden administration snubs Ducey in Western wildfire meeting". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ "What's behind the heat wave in the American West?". nbcnews.com. The Associated Press. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Record-shattering heat wave bakes western US, raising drought and fire concerns". theguardian.com. theguardian.com. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Photos: Telegraph Fire becomes one of largest in Arizona history". tucson.com. Rick Wiley and Kelly Presnell. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Drought worsens in Arizona, over 50% in 'Exceptional Drought'". abc15.com. Jorge Torres. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "MOST ACCURATE FORECAST: Dangerous heat wave continues across Arizona". abc15.com. Nohelani Graf. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Megadrought' in West directly linked to climate change, experts say". ABC News. Daniel Manzo. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Arizona wildfire crews battling water shortages". 12news.com. 12news.com. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Phoenix breaks record high as Valley temps hit 118°". azfamily.com. AZFamily.com news staff. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Arizona governor issues declarations of emergency in response to destructive wildfires". cbsnews.com. Tori B. Powell. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Evacuations ordered for Rafael Fire burning west of Sedona". abc15.com. abc15.com staff. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ Lerner, Shanti. "Arizona national forests to close due to wildfires. Here's what visitors should know". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
- ^ "Coconino and Kaibab national forests to close starting Wednesday due to fire danger". abc15.com. abc15.com staff. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "'There's just too much at risk': Arizona closes forests to prevent extreme wildfires". theguardian.com. theguardian.com. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
- ^ "Margo Fire Information". InciWeb. April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Margo Fire destroyed 12 homes near Dudleyville, Arizona". wildfiretoday.com. Bill Gabbert. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ^ "Bonito Rock Fire Information". InciWeb. April 19, 2021.
- ^ "Flag Fire Information". InciWeb. April 25, 2021.
- ^ "Copper Canyon Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management - State Office. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Copper Canyon Fire near Globe is 35% contained". azcentral.com. azcentral.com. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Tussock Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Phoenix District Office. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report" (PDF). gacc.nifc.gov. gacc.nifc.gov. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Officials say 2,900-acre Boggy Creek Fire was caused by lightning". KNXV. abc15.com staff. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Boggy Creek". InciWeb. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report" (PDF). gacc.nifc.gov. gacc.nifc.gov. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "McDonald Tank Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. InciWeb. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ^ "Warren Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coronado National Forest. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Spur Fire: Wildfire destroys 20+ structures, Evacuation order lifted for entire town in Bagdad". abc15.com. abc15.com staff. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Mescal Fire reaches 88% containment, steady at 72,250 acres and no evacuations". azcentral.com. Amaris Encinas. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Mescal Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Gila District Office. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Telegraph Fire reaches 179,678 acres, 67 percent containment". ein.az.gov. ARIZONA EMERGENCY INFORMATION NETWORK. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Slate Fire". InciWeb. June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ "Shamrock Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coronado National Forest. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Pinnacle Fire burning in Santa Teresa Mountains in Arizona". abc15.com. abc15.com staff. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Cornville Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coconino National Forest. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Fire ignites near Fossil Creek, Cornville Fire 92% contained". journalaz.com. MIKAYLA BLAIR. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "UPDATE: Winchester Fire in Cochise County 100% contained". kold.com. KOLD News 13 Staff. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Bear Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "Lightning-caused Bear Fire remains 0% contained; what you need to know about the wildfire". Fox 10 Phoenix. Kenneth Wong. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "Prep work continues on Horton Complex". ein.az.gov. ARIZONA EMERGENCY INFORMATION NETWORK. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Horton Complex". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Emergency closure issued for the Backbone Fire". ein.az.gov. ARIZONA EMERGENCY INFORMATION NETWORK. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Backbone Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coconino National Forest. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Arizona Emergency Information Network". wildlandfire.az.gov. Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Rafael Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Prescott National Forest. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "West Chev Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Wyrick Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Walnut Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management - State Office. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ Gradillas, Meleny (June 29, 2021). "Walnut Fire is now fully contained in Cochise County". KVOA. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ "Alamo Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coronado National Forest. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "Mile Marker 25 I-15 Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
- ^ "Planet Ranch Fire near Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Current Incident Information and Wildfire Map | Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center". FireWeatherAvalanche.org. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ "Bottom Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
- ^ "Middle Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
- ^ a b c "Incident Management Situation Report" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center.
- ^ "Firefighters respond to Midway Fire east of Horseshoe Reservoir". Arizona Emergency Information Network. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "Tiger Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
- ^ Colby, Maria (July 11, 2021). "Firebox Wildfire July 11, 2021". The Prescott Times. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "Snap Point Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
- ^ "Elements Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
- ^ "Lime Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
- ^ "Margo Fire Information". InciWeb. April 8, 2021.
- ^ "Flag Fire evacuation orders remain in effect". ein.az.gov. ein.az.gov. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "Evacuations ordered due to Tussock Fire; Copper Canyon Fire threats 'significantly decreased'". azcentral.com. Miguel Torres. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "Bagdad evacuated due to Spur Fire (Updated this morning)". prescottenews.com. Anita Cohen. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "LIVE UPDATES: Latest on Telegraph and Mescal fires burning east of Valley". abc15.com. abc15.com staff. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Graham County orders Klondyke, Aravaipa to evacuate due to Pinnacle Fire". azfamily.com. azfamily.com. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "Evacuations lifted for Cornville Fire outside of Cottonwood". ktar.com. ktar.com. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "Emergency closure issued for the Backbone Fire". ein.az.gov. ARIZONA EMERGENCY INFORMATION NETWORK. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "What to know about the Rafael Fire: Evacuations ordered". fox10phoenix.com. FOX 10 Staff. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "Wyrick Fire burning near Heber sparks Antelope Valley evacuations". azfamily.com. AZFamily.com News Staff. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "West Chev(Evacuations)". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
- ^ "Walnut Fire east of Tucson closes Interstate 10, forces evacuations". tucson.com. Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
- ^ "Evacuation orders issued in parts of Arizona as Tiger Fire continues to burn". cnn.com. Claudia Dominguez and Alaa Elassar. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
External links[]
- 2021 heat waves
- 2021 in Arizona
- 2021 North American wildfires
- 2021 wildfire seasons
- June 2021 events in the United States
- 2021 natural disasters in the United States
- Lists of wildfires
- Wildfires in Arizona