On Thursday, Aug. 8, at 5:57 p.m. lightening struck land just south of Beaver Dam/Littlefield, AZ causing a smoldering wildfire affecting an estimated 236 acres of short grasses, brush and Pinion Juniper in Frehner Canyon.
Crews monitored the fire overnight and began containment measures utilizing one helicopter, three engines and one crew the morning of Aug. 9.
On Saturday, Aug. 10 the BLM reported no new fire growth occurring overnight. Lower intensity burning with minimal creeping and smoldering had been seen on the east end of the fire. Kayli Yardley, PIO with the Forest Service reported, “An interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team will oversee fire operations starting today. Crews will be tying in the east side of the fire by utilizing helicopters to perform bucket work along the fire edge. Aerial resources will also be taking firefighters to the top of the ridgeline and hiking in to clean up hot spots and check retardant lines.”
As of Sunday, Aug. 11 the fire was reported to be 60% contained with crews continuing to monitor any hot spots.
According to the BLM Arizona Strip Office the current hot and dry weather conditions were a concern due to isolated pockets of heat that may remain within the interior of the fire.
Full containment was achieved on Monday, Aug. 12 and continued monitoring transitioned back to the local unit.