Hellsgate Fire Department

06/01/2026

🚨🚨TRAFFIC ADVISORY – STATE ROUTE 260 CONSTRUCTION🚨🚨

Hellsgate Fire Department would like to remind residents and visitors traveling on State Route 260 through Star Valley and east of Payson to plan ahead for road construction associated with the SR 260 Lion Springs Improvement Project.

Construction is scheduled to begin in June 1st, 2026 between Mayfield Canyon Road and Forest Road432 near mile marker 260, with intermittent daytime lane restrictions expected. ADOT advises that one lane in each direction will remain open, but drivers should be prepared for delays, flaggers, and pilot cars moving traffic through the work zone as needed.

This project will widen portions of SR 260, add additional travel lanes, improve turn lanes, drainage, guardrail, and include wildlife crossings. The project is expected to continue for approximately 2.5 years, including winter shutdown periods.

Please help keep our community, road crews, and first responders safe by:

Slow down in the work zone.
Watch for changing traffic patterns.
Do not pass pilot cars or flaggers.
Give yourself extra travel time.
Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.
Use caution when emergency vehicles are responding through the corridor.

SR 260 is a heavily traveled route for our residents, commuters, visitors, and emergency responders. Exercising patience and caution can prevent crashes and keep traffic moving safely.

Drive safe, slow down, and give crews room to work.

This is "ADOT SR260 Lion Springs - with VO" by WSP on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

05/26/2026

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage, dedication, and selflessness will never be forgotten.

From all of us at the Hellsgate Fire Department, we extend our deepest gratitude to our fallen heroes and their families this Memorial Day.

Please take a moment today to reflect, remember, and honor those who gave everything for the freedoms we enjoy every day. 🇺🇸

Stay safe, and have a meaningful Memorial Day.

05/15/2026

🚨 STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW 🚨

Effective Friday, May 15th at 08:00, the Tonto National Forest will enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due to increasing fire danger and dry conditions throughout the region.

These restrictions are being implemented to help reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our communities, firefighters, and public lands during peak fire season.

Under Stage 1 Restrictions, the following are prohibited on Tonto National Forest lands:

🔥 Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or charcoal fire outside of developed recreation sites with approved fire structures
🚬 Smoking outside of enclosed vehicles, buildings, or cleared designated areas
🔫 Recreational shooting, including discharging fi****ms, air rifles, or gas guns

✅ Propane and LPG-fueled devices with an on/off switch are still permitted when used in a cleared area free of flammable vegetation.

These restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

We ask all residents and visitors to remain vigilant, avoid activities that could spark a wildfire, and help us keep our forests and communities safe this summer.

For additional information and official restriction maps, visit:
Tonto National Forest Alerts & Notices

05/14/2026

In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, the Arizona Firefighters Foundation is selling shirts created for departments across Arizona as part of their “Celebrating 250” project. Hellsgate Fire Department is proud to be represented alongside agencies from across the state in recognizing the long-standing tradition of service, sacrifice, and commitment to our communities. Proceeds from the project help support the mission of the Arizona Firefighters Foundation and the firefighters and families they serve throughout Arizona.

The presale is now live at www.azffshop.org. Ordering during the presale is the only way to guarantee availability of your size and department. Sales end May 24, and shirts are expected to ship in mid June.

🚨🚨PLEASE NOTE: The Hellsgate Fire Department is not responsible for purchases or customer service related to these shirts.

Thank you again for your support. We are excited for this to be an opportunity that brings departments together from across the state of Arizona.

05/08/2026

HFD, deployed a water tender to the Horseshoe Fire near Carefree! We wish them a safe assignment.

04/22/2026

This morning at approximately 06:00, Hellsgate Fire Department and Christopher Kohl’s Fire Department were dispatched to the area of Meads Ranch for a vehicle rollover.

One patient sustained critical injuries and was transported to a valley area trauma center.

As always HFD extends appreciation to our Public Safety Partners: Lifeline Ambulance, Christopher Kohl’s Fire Department, Native Air 7, and Gila County Sheriff’s Office.

04/21/2026

The U.S Forest Service-Tonto Nation Forest will be conducting a burn operation in the area of Robert’s draw starting tomorrow.

There will be heavy smoke and traffic around the area please use caution when traveling the control road

04/17/2026

Hellsgate Fire Department is proud to share that we’ve partnered with Lifeline Ambulance to place an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance at Station 21 in Star Valley.

This pilot program began in late March with a simple goal—improve response times and get our residents the care they need faster. By having an ambulance staffed locally during peak hours, we’re able to reduce how long patients wait for transport and bring additional paramedics and EMTs to the scene alongside our crews.

This added support makes a real difference. It allows for quicker access to definitive care, more hands on scene, and better overall service to the community.

We will continue to evaluate how this program is performing over the coming months, but we are optimistic about the impact it will have along the Highway 260 corridor and in the surrounding areas we serve.

We appreciate the continued support from our community as we work to improve the level of service we provide every day.

04/16/2026

We are aware that our website is currently down! We are currently working to resolve the issue!

We have extended the full time Fire Chief process! Until April 22nd at 5:00p.m.

If you are interested in applying please visit daily dispatch or Arizona Fire Chiefs job boards for a complete application packet

Submit completed application’s and supplement documents to Brenda Tranchina at (520)-297-9351, email: [email protected]

For any other information or general information please email:[email protected] or call our office: 928-474-3835 Monday-Thursday 8:00am -5:00pm

04/08/2026

Hellsgate Fire Department responded with the Town Of Payson Fire Department to assist with a recent house fire!