2021 Arizona wildfires

The 2021 Arizona wildfire season was a series of wildfires that burned across the state of Arizona, United States. Wildfires across the state burned 524,428 acres (212,228 ha) of land in at least 1,773 fires throughout the state,[2] fueled in part by a drought, hot temperatures, and thunderstorms producing dry lightning.[3][4] At one point in late June, over 20 active wildfires were burning across the state.[5][6]

2021 Arizona wildfires
1
2
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4
1
Rafael Fire
2
Wyrick Fire
3
Horton Complex Fire
4
Bear Fire
Smoke over parts of Arizona on June 21 due to an outbreak of wildfires in the state
Statistics
Total fires1,773
Total area524,428 acres (212,228 ha)
Deaths2[1]
Season
← 2020
2022 →

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 in nearly a decade.[7] The spike in wildfires in Arizona during the summer was due to an ongoing megadrought that is occurring in the Southwestern United States, as well as a heat wave with many western cities hitting record-breaking temperatures.[8][9]

Background
Heat wave ravaging the Southwestern U.S. (June 13–19, 2021)

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.[10] Wildfires in Arizona at the time were 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'.[11][12][13] The drought in the southwest was making the job of fighting wildland fires difficult because of water shortages in the region.[14] At the time, Arizona was also seeing record-breaking temperatures with Phoenix hitting a high of 118 °F (47 °C) on June 17.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17] The outbreak got so bad that at one point, five out of six national forests had to be closed to the public in late June. These national forests included the Coconino, Kaibab, Prescott, Tonto and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests.[18] The only people who were allowed in the forests were firefighters and people who owned property in the forests.[19][20]

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 Pinal1,148April 8April 13Human Caused; wildfire destroyed 17 structures, 12 of them were homes.[21][22]
Bonito Rock Apache1,668April 19May 6Cause is Under Investigation[23]
Flag Mohave1,265April 25June 7Cause is Under Investigation[24]
Copper Canyon Gila2,875May 7May 24Human Caused; started 3 miles northeast of Globe[25][26]
Tussock Yavapai5,546May 8May 24Human Caused – Specific cause under investigation[27][28]
Boggy Creek Apache2,945May 23May 31Lightning-Sparked[29][30]
Sycamore Canyon Pima1,858May 23June 4Cause is Under Investigation[28]
McDonald Tank Apache3,550May 23June 22Cause is Under Investigation[31]
Warren Cochise1,400May 25June 7Cause is Under Investigation[32]
Spur Yavapai153May 27May 30Human Caused; the fire destroyed 20 structures (including 13 homes) in the mining town of Bagdad[33]
Mescal Gila72,250June 1June 18Cause is Under Investigation[34][35]
Telegraph Pinal, Gila180,757June 4July 3Human Caused; the fire has destroyed 51 structures. It is the largest wildfire in Arizona in the 2021 wildfire season so far.[36]
Slate Coconino11,435June 7July 5Cause is Unknown; fire started 23 miles Northwest of Flagstaff[37]
Shamrock Santa Cruz1,104June 9June 16Cause is Under Investigation; burned in the Patagonia Mountains[38]
Pinnacle Graham34,437June 10July 16Cause is Under Investigation; the fire burned in the Santa Teresa Mountains[39]
Cornville Yavapai1,240June 13June 21Cause is Under Investigation; the fire burned 2 miles east of Cornville[40][41]
Winchester Cochise1,800June 14June 20Lightning-Sparked[42]
Bear Greenlee24,067June 16September 8Lightning-Sparked[43][44]
Horton Complex Greenlee12,263June 16July 13Lightning-Sparked; the fire burned within the 2011 Wallow Fire burn scar[45][46]
Backbone Yavapai, Gila, Coconino40,855June 16July 19Lightning-Sparked; the fire was sparked 12 miles west of Strawberry[47][48]
Rafael Yavapai, Coconino78,065June 18July 15Lightning-Sparked; the fire exploded in size on June 20 due to high winds[49][50]
West Chev Coconino1,170June 19July 2Lightning-Sparked[51]
Wyrick Navajo7,592June 19July 3Lightning-Sparked[52]
Walnut Cochise10,667June 20June 29Lightning-Sparked[53][54]
Alamo Santa Cruz4,953June 20June 30Fire 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 Mohave1,007June 24July 2Cause is Under Investigation[56]
Planet Ranch La Paz, Mohave1,260June 24July 3Lightning-Sparked[57]
Bottom Graham6,004June 28July 14Lightning-Sparked[58]
Middle Yavapai2,792June 29July 23Lightning-Sparked[59][60]
Midway Yavapai1,762June 30July 16Lightning-Sparked[60][61]
Tiger Yavapai16,278June 30July 30Lightning-Sparked[62]
Firebox Apache1,063July 7July 23Lightning-Sparked[60][63]
Snap Point Mohave9,843July 10July 13Lightning-Sparked[64]
Elements Mohave1,343July 11July 18Lightning-Sparked[65]
Lime Mohave2,063July 12July 16Cause is Under Investigation[66]

Evacuations
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Location of wildfires and which nearby areas had to be evacuated. Only those wildfires that caused evacuations are listed.
  • Wildfires originated in April
  • Wildfires originated in May
  • Wildfires originated in June
  • Areas evacuated
  • Areas that lost structures

Margo Fire:[21] Dudleyville

Flag Fire:[67] Pine Lake

Tussock Fire:[68] Fort Misery and Horsethief Basin

Spur Fire:[69] Bagdad

Telegraph Fire:[70] El Capitan, Dripping Springs, Miami, Top-of-the-World, Government Springs, Wind Spirit, Hagen Ranch, and Slash S Ranch

Pinnacle Fire:[71] Klondyke and Aravaipa

Cornville Fire:[72] Parts of Cornville (East of Page Springs Road)

Backbone Fire:[73] Strawberry and Pine

Rafael Fire:[74] Areas around Sycamore Canyon

Wyrick Fire:[75] Antelope Valley and portions of Heber

West Chev Fire:[76] Woods Canyon Lake

Walnut Fire:[77] Residents near Dragoon

Tiger Fire:[78] Horsethief Basin

See also

References
  1. 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.
  2. "National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. National Interagency Fire Center. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  3. 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.
  4. "Arizona wildfires have burned more acres than the next four most-burned states combined, officials say". 12news.com. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  5. "More than 20 wildfires burning in Arizona". kvoa.com. 23 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  6. "Backbone Fire swells to 6,000 acres, evacuations for Pine, Strawberry, Hunt Ranch". azfamily.com. Azfamily News Staff. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  7. Duda, Jeremy (June 30, 2021). "Biden administration snubs Ducey in Western wildfire meeting". Arizona Mirror. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  8. "What's behind the heat wave in the American West?". nbcnews.com. The Associated Press. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  9. "Record-shattering heat wave bakes western US, raising drought and fire concerns". theguardian.com. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  10. "Photos: Telegraph Fire becomes one of largest in Arizona history". tucson.com. Rick Wiley and Kelly Presnell. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  11. "Drought worsens in Arizona, over 50% in 'Exceptional Drought'". abc15.com. Jorge Torres. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  12. "Most Accurate Forecast: Dangerous heat wave continues across Arizona". abc15.com. Nohelani Graf. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  13. "Megadrought' in West directly linked to climate change, experts say". ABC News. Daniel Manzo. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  14. "Arizona wildfire crews battling water shortages". 12news.com. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  15. "Phoenix breaks record high as Valley temps hit 118°". azfamily.com. AZFamily.com news staff. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  16. "Arizona governor issues declarations of emergency in response to destructive wildfires". cbsnews.com. Tori B. Powell. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  17. "Evacuations ordered for Rafael Fire burning west of Sedona". abc15.com. abc15.com staff. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  18. Lerner, Shanti. "Arizona national forests to close due to wildfires. Here's what visitors should know". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 2021-07-19.
  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.
  20. "'There's just too much at risk': Arizona closes forests to prevent extreme wildfires". theguardian.com. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  21. "Margo Fire Information". InciWeb. April 8, 2021.
  22. "Margo Fire destroyed 12 homes near Dudleyville, Arizona". wildfiretoday.com. Bill Gabbert. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  23. "Bonito Rock Fire Information". InciWeb. April 19, 2021.
  24. "Flag Fire Information". InciWeb. April 25, 2021.
  25. "Copper Canyon Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – State Office. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  26. "Copper Canyon Fire near Globe is 35% contained". azcentral.com. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  27. "Tussock Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Phoenix District Office. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  28. "National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report" (PDF). gacc.nifc.gov. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  29. "Officials say 2,900-acre Boggy Creek Fire was caused by lightning". KNXV. abc15.com staff. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  30. "Boggy Creek". InciWeb. Archived from the original on 2021-05-25. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  31. "McDonald Tank Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. InciWeb. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  32. "Warren Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coronado National Forest. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  33. "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.
  34. "Mescal Fire reaches 88% containment, steady at 72,250 acres and no evacuations". azcentral.com. Amaris Encinas. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  35. "Mescal Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Gila District Office. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  36. "Telegraph Fire reaches 179,678 acres, 67 percent containment". ein.az.gov. Arizona Emergency Information Network. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  37. "Slate Fire". InciWeb. June 17, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-06-07. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  38. "Shamrock Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coronado National Forest. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  39. "Pinnacle Fire burning in Santa Teresa Mountains in Arizona". abc15.com. abc15.com staff. 17 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  40. "Cornville Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coconino National Forest. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  41. "Fire ignites near Fossil Creek, Cornville Fire 92% contained". journalaz.com. MIKAYLA BLAIR. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  42. "UPDATE: Winchester Fire in Cochise County 100% contained". kold.com. KOLD News 13 Staff. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  43. "Bear Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  44. "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.
  45. "Prep work continues on Horton Complex". ein.az.gov. Arizona Emergency Information Network. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  46. "Horton Complex". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  47. "Emergency closure issued for the Backbone Fire". ein.az.gov. Arizona Emergency Information Network. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  48. "Backbone Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coconino National Forest. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  49. "Arizona Emergency Information Network". wildlandfire.az.gov. Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  50. "Rafael Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Prescott National Forest. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  51. "West Chev Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  52. "Wyrick Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  53. "Walnut Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management – State Office. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  54. Gradillas, Meleny (June 29, 2021). "Walnut Fire is now fully contained in Cochise County". KVOA. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  55. "Alamo Fire". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Coronado National Forest. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  56. "Mile Marker 25 I-15 Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  57. "Planet Ranch Fire near Lake Havasu City, Arizona – Current Incident Information and Wildfire Map | Fire, Weather & Avalanche Center". FireWeatherAvalanche.org. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  58. "Bottom Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  59. "Middle Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  60. "Incident Management Situation Report" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center.
  61. "Firefighters respond to Midway Fire east of Horseshoe Reservoir". Arizona Emergency Information Network. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  62. "Tiger Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-30.
  63. Colby, Maria (July 11, 2021). "Firebox Wildfire July 11, 2021". The Prescott Times. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  64. "Snap Point Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  65. "Elements Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  66. "Lime Fire Information – InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  67. "Flag Fire evacuation orders remain in effect". ein.az.gov. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  68. "Evacuations ordered due to Tussock Fire; Copper Canyon Fire threats 'significantly decreased'". azcentral.com. Miguel Torres. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  69. "Bagdad evacuated due to Spur Fire (Updated this morning)". prescottenews.com. Anita Cohen. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  70. "Latest on Telegraph and Mescal fires burning east of Valley". abc15.com. abc15.com staff. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  71. "Graham County orders Klondyke, Aravaipa to evacuate due to Pinnacle Fire". azfamily.com. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  72. "Evacuations lifted for Cornville Fire outside of Cottonwood". ktar.com. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  73. "Emergency closure issued for the Backbone Fire". ein.az.gov. Arizona Emergency Information Network. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  74. "What to know about the Rafael Fire: Evacuations ordered". fox10phoenix.com. FOX 10 Staff. 20 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  75. "Wyrick Fire burning near Heber sparks Antelope Valley evacuations". azfamily.com. AZFamily.com News Staff. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  76. "West Chev(Evacuations)". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  77. "Walnut Fire east of Tucson closes Interstate 10, forces evacuations". tucson.com. Arizona Daily Star. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  78. "Evacuation orders issued in parts of Arizona as Tiger Fire continues to burn". cnn.com. Claudia Dominguez and Alaa Elassar. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
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