UPDATE, 8-27-25: Bar 11 Ranch is under “Ready” mode. The crews have been securing the fireline, conducting suppression repair work, and patrolling for hot spots. The humidity and temperature have helped, but the winds and storm activity cause an additional challenge. Containment is up to 56%.
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UPDATE, 8-22-25: Please note, “Forest Closure order is in effect for public health and safety. Forest Service Road (FSR) 487, 410 and 203 remain closed.” Also, “Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place on the Tonto National Forest – no campfires, smoking, welding, discharging firearms; or use of charcoal, coal, or briquettes. Only propane devices permitted.” The windy conditions pushed the fire into some creek areas yesterday. Crews are nearly done with the Rose Creek suppression repair work. They also continued with their tasks on involving SR 288 & FSR 487. Containment is up to 52%. The fire is over 27,500 acres in size. Suppression repair work is a focus today on three areas of the fire. Crews will also be patrolling various areas for hot spots. Removal of structure preparation materials that are not being utilized is also being done today.
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UPDATE, 8-18-25: Road hazard removal on Forest Service Roads 487 & 410 is being conducted for overall safety purposes. The Devil’s Chasm portion had extra attention, as did the South Fork section. Firefighters have been carrying out ignitions to reduce the fuel and strengthen the lines. Suppression repair is being worked on for a portion of the southern section. This isn’t all for the south side, as further ignitions are possible there and on the stretch of SR 288 in the fire’s path. There are also more water drops expected to the fire’s south as well. The fire itself is listed as being over 21,300+ acres and a containment up to 38%.
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UPDATE, 8-11-25: The closest locations affected by evacuation orders are: “Murphy Ranch and Ellison Ranch in GO status. Johnson Ranch, Cook Ranch, Elk’s Camp, Trachta Ranch and Circle Ranch in SET status.”
Scoopers are going to start utilizing Roosevelt Lake as a resource for water to drop on the fire. SR 288 will also face periodic closures for a few days to help with the firefighting procedures. More aerial ignitions are possible today. Firing operations from SR 288 to Connor Pit are part of tonight’s plan.
The fire has grown to 12,200+ acres, and decreased to 16% containment.
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UPDATE, 8-8-25: The weather was not cooperative yesterday. They were able to conduct aerial ignitions. They fire is now over 6,100 acres and is down to 25% contained.
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UPDATE, 8-7-25: Drivers approaching the area on SR 288 should anticipate delays while crews work on “roadside chipping and brushing work north of the Forest Service Road (FSR) 203 junction with SR 288.” Smoke from the fire can be smelt as far south as Globe and Miami. The fire has grown to 4,000+ acres in size. The latest map has shown the containment has decreased to 38%.
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UPDATE, 8-5-25: Murphy Ranch is in ‘GO’ mode. The Pueblo Canyon side of the fire started growing so quickly yesterday, firefighters had to enact the strategy of “structure protection measures and tactically burning the vegetation around the inholding in advance of the main flaming front.” They have been utilizing helicopters to attack the fire, whether it be water drops or aerial ignitions to lessen the fuels. The weather has not been favorable as of late and looks like it will not be good for the firefighting efforts the rest of the week. The fire’s containment dropped to 65% and is now 2,500+ acres.
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UPDATE. 7-29-25: There was slight growth on the southeast side of the fire. The containment has grown to 79%. It grew to 2,400+ acres in size.
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UPDATE, 7-25-25: Crews have made significant progress on containing the fire. It’s now 60% contained. The fire is 2,100+ acres in size. The combination of hand and ariel ignitions, along with precipitation have helped reduce its spread. Crews are working to remove as much debris as possible that could become an issue during heavy rains.
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UPDATE, 7-21-25: The containment of this 1,400+ acre fire is 6%. Firing operations are expected to be utilized, which should help reinforce the containment lines.
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UPDATE, 7-18-25: The Pleasant Valley Airstrip has been closed for public health and safety, along with firefighter safety. The winds caused the fire to grow on the western side. It is 2% contained, but over 1,200 acres in size.
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UPDATE, 7-16-25: Yesterday’s weather allowed for an areal mapping to give a better scope of its size. This put the fire at over 900 acres. The most growth was on the southeast and northwest segments of the fire. Crews continue building a containment perimeter. They are ready to carry out firing operations should it be deemed necessary. The weather over the next couple of days shows a continued possibility of aiding &/or hampering the firefighters.
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UPDATE, 7-15-25: This a lightening-caused fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect for the area over the fire. Also, “Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are currently in place on the Tonto National Forest – no campfires, smoking, welding, discharging firearms; or use of charcoal, coal, or briquettes. Only propane devices permitted.” The north and west segments of the fire are the most active. Crews are, however, working to contain the fire on all sides. The weather over the next few days could help &/or hinder their efforts. The firefighters, “must also be aware of hazmat from old mining operations.”
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UPDATE: There has been a closure order issued. The fire is now over 700 acres. There are currently over 100 personnel assigned to the fire.
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The Billy Fire is located in rough terrain roughly un the eastern side of the Sierra Ancha Mountains, located northeast of Roosevelt Lake. There is 0% containment at this time of this 600+ acre fire. Crews are working hard to reduce it from spreading while they can attack it harder and contain it. The weather anticipated for the area could make things more difficult in gaining and maintaining control.
