Yesterday, firefighters used an arsenal of tools to hold the fire to the north side of Graham Mountain Range despite intense fire activity, erratic winds, and dry weather conditions. Firefighters continued to build hand and dozer lines and conducted burnout operations along Forest Service Road 507.
Helicopters and airtankers helped crews on the ground with water drops and retardant. In an effort to slow the progress of the fire in Noon Creek, helicopters dropped ping-pong balls, which ignite on impact. According to Dan Oltrogge, Incident Commander for the Nuttall Fire Complex, “The firefighters worked in severe conditions yesterday and despite all the smoke and flames you could see from town, the crews still held the line and had a good day.”

Fire did burn through Heliograph Peak. A preliminary assessment indicates that some structures were damaged and communication functions compromised but the extent of the damage is unknown at this time. Today, firefighters will attempt to complete a more thorough evaluation of Heliograph Peak areames have burned.

The Mt Graham International Observatory and summer homes in the Columbine and Turkey Flat areas remain threatened. The fire is about one-quarter mile from the Observatory’s north side, but fire officials are concerned the Nuttall Fire may threaten the west side, if fire enters Shingle Mill
Canyon.

The Gibson Fire burned into Noon Creek Canyon and is expected to spot into Wet Canyon, which is 1½ miles from the summerhouses in Turkey Flat. Structure protection actions continue in Turkey Flat as well as the Columbine area and around the Observatory.

Today, firefighters will continue burnout operations along Forest Service Road 507 and Swift Trail in an ongoing effort to keep the fire north of the Swift Trail or State Road 366.

Yesterday, five firefighters sustained minor injuries, bringing the total number of injuries within the Fire Complex to 17. Most are heat-related illnesses.

Community Meeting Tonight The Southwest Area Incident Management Team will host a community meeting tonight in the gymnasium of Ruth Powell School, located at 1041 14th Ave. The meeting will beginning at 6 p.m. Fire personnel will provide information and maps on the fire activity
within the Nuttall Complex.

For more information, call the Nuttall Fire Complex Information Office at (928) 348-9425 or (928) 348-0261 - Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Visit our website: www.fireteam-sw.com/oltrogge/incidents/nuttall

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