The U.S. Forest Service and other agencies are responding to the Bravo Fire, now 1,400 acres s of 8:20 p.m. Friday, June 7, burning on Camp Navajo, west of Flagstaff and 21 miles north of Sedona, which is putting up smoke visible in Sedona and the Verde Valley.
The fire had burned 100 acres at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 6, and 1,000 acres by 7:20 p.m. Verde Valley residents can expect smoke, depending on wind conditions.
The fire is being approached with a full suppression strategy. The Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team is the command authority, according the Arizona National Guard Public Affairs Office Sgt. 1st Class Michael Zahnow.
As of 7:20 p.m. June 6, the fire is being fought by the Arizona National Guard, two Hotshot crews, two hand crews, eight air tankers, and air attack plane, lead plane, four helicopters, 150 firefighters and multiple engines.
The fire was first reported the night of Wednesday, June 5, Zahnow stated.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with the U.S Forest Service Kaibab and Coconino National Forest Fire units.
At this time, zones 105 (A-1 Ranch), 106 Bellemont North, 107 Village Camp, 108 Bellemont South are being placed on a pre-evacuation SET Notice.
Soggy Bottom Ranch and all residences off of Naval Observatory Road are also in SET Status.
CCSO deputies and USFS Law Enforcement officers are currently contacting campers and urging them to avoid the area.
Camp Navajo is closed to all non-essential persons and employees, Zahnow stated. Removal of nonessential military units and RV residents have continued out of abundance of cation. Currently, there are no immediate threats to assets, personnel or critical infrastructure in the area or at the depot.
Coconino County is in fire season Visit Emergency Notification System at CoconinoAZ.gov for more information about Coconino County’s Emergency Notification System and registration.
Camp Navajo is was built as a U.S. depot in 1942, operated by the Arizona National Guard in 1983. There are numerous U.S. Forest Service roads and dispersed camping in the public lands around the depot.
For more information regarding Arizona National Guard-specific engagement, please contact Maj. Erin Hannigan at (602) 513-6482.
For more information agencies responses in the area, visit
- Flagstaff City Government
- Flagstaff Fire Department
- US National Weather Service
- Flagstaff Arizona Coconino County
- Coconino County Emergency Management
- Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Coconino National Forest
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Coconino National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described [Area”):
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) except if it is in:
- a. A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
- b. A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
- c. A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a)
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
3. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1.36 C.F.R. § 261.52 (j).
4. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(i). Order Number: # 03-04-24-01 5. Using an explosive. This includes, but is not limited to, fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b). EXEMPTIONS Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. DESCRIBED AREA All Coconino National Forest lands as depicted on the attached map at Exhibit
A. PURPOSE The purpose of this Order is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions.
IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from Thursday June 8, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. through September 30, 2024, at 8:00, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coconino/alerts-notices.
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Coconino National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Flagstaff, 928-5273600, for more information about this Order. Order Number: # 03-04-24-01 6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.
