A lightning-caused fire just south of C.C. Cragin (aka Blue Ridge) Reservoir, the General fire, began on July 31 and is currently at 300 acres. It is burning at low to moderate intensity and producing smoke that is noticeable to visitors of the reservoir and surrounding communities.
“Allowing this fire to reduce forest fuels so close to the reservoir is a good strategic move,” said Linda Wadleigh, Mogollon Rim district ranger. “Low intensity wildfires like the General fire are crucial and necessary in the area surrounding the reservoir to prevent damage and destruction to this vital watershed from larger, more severe wildfires.”
Beyond reduction of hazardous forest fuels, other objectives of the fire include improvement of wildlife habitat, understory vegetation enhancement, and forest disease and pest prevention.
A southern fork of the reservoir, west of Dick Hart point, will be closed due the fire and in order to protect the public. Other closures include Forest Roads 719, 719F, 139A (north of Forest Road 95) and 95D.
Smoke from the General fire will move in a northeast direction and likely impact subdivisions within the Blue Ridge communities and surrounding area, lifting by mid-morning hours. Smoke will be heaviest in the area of the fire located along the northern section of Turkey Pen Ridge.
Resources on scene comprise an engine, one crew, a dozer, one Arizona State Forestry crew and miscellaneous firefighting personnel—a total of approximately 30 personnel.