Wildfire — Northern Gila County, Arizona

2020-07-03 to 2020-07-25 · Northern Gila County, Arizona

Event narrative

The fire started on 7/3 as the result of lightning from isolated thunderstorms in the area. The fire is only accessible by helicopter and 2 hotshot crews were shuttled into the fire by helicopter on 7/3. High sustained winds out of the southwest and low humidity in the fire area caused increased fire behavior on the afternoon of 7/4 pushing the fire north and northeast. Airtankers and helicopters supported the hotshot crews on the fireline through the day. A pilot died on July 7 when his helicopter crashed while transporting supplies for fire fighting operations.

Wider weather episode

The Polles Fire (pronounced Poll-E) burned burning in the Mazatzal Wilderness on top of the Polles Mesa, approximately 11 miles west of Payson, AZ and 6 miles south of Pine-Strawberry, AZ. It eventually burned 638 acres.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 896866. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.