Crews have gotten the upper hand on a fire that caused traffic delays and plenty of smoke throughout the Verde Valley.
The Pig Fire — named due to its proximity to Pig Trough Tank in Hog Canyon — was reported at around 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, on the east side of the northbound lane of Interstate 17, five miles south of the Village of Oak Creek. As of Wednesday, Aug. 5, it had burned 495 acres and was 40% contained. Crews are focusing on holding and improving containment lines.
“It was determined that a piece of a catalytic converter had come apart from a vehicle and had rolled into the dry grass on the side of the roadway and the heat caused the grass to ignite,” said Murray Rosengarten, of the U.S. Forest Service.
The wildfire continues to move in a north/northeast direction. The USFS reports that it poses no danger to structures, communities nor homes. At press time, lane restrictions existed on northbound I-17 past the State Route 179 exit to Sedona.
According to the USFS, priorities for this incident include:
— Ensuring the safety of all incident personnel.
— Keeping the fire east of I-17 and providing for the safety of motorists.
— Protecting the public in the immediate fire area.
— Minimizing prolonged smoke impacts to firefighters, communities and major travel corridors.
— Maintaining communications and relationships with cooperators and stakeholders.
— Providing timely and accurate public information.
— Minimize impacts to threatened fish species in Rarick Canyon.
— Protecting fire sensitive cultural resources in advance of dire threat when possible and minimizing damage due to suppression action.
— Minimizing suppression impacts on Wet Beaver Wilderness.
— Minimizing impacts to range fence improvements.
In addition to the USFS crews, there are two Hot Shot crews that have been assisting since the fire began. USFS has received assistance from the Sedona Fire District, Highlands Fire District, Jerome Volunteer Fire Department and Verde Valley Fire District.
