Wildfire — Black Mesa Area, Arizona

2020-06-08 to 2020-06-30 · Black Mesa Area, Arizona

Event narrative

The Mangum Fire (pronounced Mang-Um) was ignited on the afternoon of June 8th, 2020 approximately 7 miles SW of Jacob Lake, AZ. As of 6/29/20, the cause is still under investigation. In the period from the start of the fire through the end of June, the area experienced a prolonged dry period with afternoon humidity routinely below 15% and poor overnight humidity recovery. Temperatures generally trended upward, with high temperatures ranging from the low-70s to mid-80s for the majority of the period. No precipitation was observed during the Month of June, although is not abnormal as June is climatologically the driest month of the year.

The fire area was included in a Red Flag Warning on June 12th, 13th and 16th. Afternoon humidity in the low-teens to single digits was observed, with wind gusts into the 30 to 40 mph range On June 12th, the fire made an approximately 10 mile run to the northeast. The fire put up impressive, but sheared, pyro-cumulus columns on several occasions.

Following the Red Flag Conditions on June 16th, winds shifted to the west behind a dry frontal boundary. High pressure led to warm, dry and breezy conditions that generally persisted through June 27th. Another round of Red Flag Conditions due to the passage of a potent, but dry low pressure system occurred on June 28th and 29th. The fire showed very little activity during these latter Red Flag events, and the team transitioned with a Type 3 Team on June 30th.

Wider weather episode

The Mangum Fire (named after the Mangum Family) started on the afternoon of June 8, 2020. It burned northeast up and over the Kaibab Plateau and Highway 89A between Jacobs Lake and Kanab, Utah. The total acreage was 71,450.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 895930. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.