Firefighters continued to actively look for hot spots near the perimeter of the Nuttall Complex burning fifteen miles southwest of Safford , Arizona . Crews have initiated the meticulous task of mop-up, where burning vegetation is cooled off, broken into smaller pieces, and extinguished. The objective is to have no heat sources within at least 200 feet of containment lines. This task has been achieved on the southwest portion of the fire, as no smoke was detected during aerial reconnaissance. The fire has burned for sixteen days in the rugged Pinaleno Mountains and is now 75 percent contained.

Fire personnel also continue to rehabilitate fire containment lines to reduce erosion potential. This work includes the installation of water bars, dirt trenches designed to divert rainwater away from the containment lines and back into natural drainages.

Light afternoon rains fell over much of the fire area on Monday. “The most significant rainfall occurred south of the burn area,” said Eric Peterson, a meteorologist assigned to the incident. This meant that for the second straight day, excessive runoff did not materialize within severely burned portions of the fire. No major flooding was reported. Hail was observed near Clark Peak .

The most intense fire behavior occurred within the fire’s perimeter in the Heliograph Peak area, where less rain has fallen and the higher humidity levels have not been as effective at tempering fire activity. However, most of the observed fire behavior was minor surface spread, with the fires creeping and smoldering. The most intense burning occurred in heavy logs and in stumps.

The New Mexico Type II Incident Management Team will assume command of the Nuttall Fire Complex on Tuesday, July 13 th, at 6:00 PM . The incoming team will reassess when it will be possible to reopen the Swift Trail Road (U.S. Highway 366) and associated developed areas.

This will be the last media release from the Southwest Area Type I Incident Management Team. Future fire information will be disseminated by the New Mexico Type II Incident Management Team. The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team extends our appreciation for your support during the Nuttall Fire Complex.

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