9 PM Update- Twin Fire Hits 1000 Acres; Crews Make Progress Today

Smoke plume from the Twin Fire near Williams. (NAZ Today /Neuman)

For today’s (Sunday, 10/4) updates, click HERE.

Click HERE for a video update from Jackie Banks, Public Affairs Officer for the Kaibab National Forest.

9:00 PM UPDATE, OCTOBER 3- The Twin Fire is listed at 1,000 acres as of 6 PM this evening, with crews able to slow the progress of the fire.  Ground and air crews worked to establish a line on the northeastern side of the fire.  The fire is still located at the base of Bill Williams Mountain.  A Type-1 Incident Management Team has arrived, and is in the process of taking over command of the firefighting efforts.

64 homes remain under evacuation order tonight.  250 personnel are currently working the fire.  –Update by Patrick Walker.

3:00 PM UPDATE, OCTOBER 3- Eye witnesses and sources are reporting heavy smoke across I-40, with small snags burning up to the interstate.  The National Weather Service forecasts wind gusts in the 35-40 mph range for the rest of the afternoon, and are issuing a High Wind Warning in effect for the daylight hours Sunday. Sustained winds are forecast from the southwest at 30-35 mph, with gusts of 55 mph possible.

Update: October 3- 10:00 a.m.   Over night the Twin fire grew an additional 450 acres, putting the total acreage for the fire up to 800 acres. Air tankers have resumed operations this morning. Resources assigned to the incident include 5 hot shot crews, 3 water tenders, 4 type II hand crews, 1 dozer and 8 engines.  A Type I Incident Management Team will arrive today.  The fire incident objectives include provide for firefighter and public safety; minimize impacts to private properties; protect communication sites on top of Bill Williams Mountain and protect Bill Williams’s watershed.

Friday night operations concentrated on protecting the Escalante subdivision, but high winds pushed the fire northeast into the subdivision.  No stuctures have burned.  A reverse 911 call was initiated by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office  to the residences along the southwest corner of the City.  Specifically west of 9^th st. and south of Sheridan ave.  Approximately 64 homes have been evalucated.   The Red Cross has established an evacuation center at the Williams Elementary Middle School.

Update:  October 2 – 7:45 p.m.  The Twin Fire has now grown to approximately 350 acres beyond the prescribed burn area.

Crews will be conducting burnout operations throughout the evening  south of the Escalante subdivision to protect private property.

The extended forecast calls for moderate winds through the weekend. Smoke is present in Williams, along I-40 and surrounding areas.  Public safety officials advise drivers to be cautious while traveling through the area.

Camping and hunting is not recommended near the fire vicinity. If you are planning to travel to the area, officials recommend calling ahead for the latest conditions.

WILLIAMS (NAZ Today)- Kaibab National Forest fire managers today transitioned the Twin Prescribed Burn to a Type I wildfire.  Suppression actions are being taken to stop fire spread on the northeast side of the fire. Approximately 90 personnel have been dispatched to the scene.

The Twin Fire is approximately 950 acres in size, about 150 acres larger than the prescribed area, and is three miles southwest of Williams, west of Bill Williams Mountain.  The prescribed burn was initiated yesterday.  During the burn, winds shifted from the northeast to the southwest.  Several spot fires occurred outside the project area on the northeast side of the burn as a result.

Today, additional resources including six air tankers were ordered to suppress the fire.  The extended forecast calls for moderate winds through the weekend with a chance of precipitation. Camping and hunting is not recommended near the fire vicinity. There are currently no road closures or immediate danger to nearby structures.