BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire Management - Fort Apache Agency

09/02/2026

Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Paddy Creek Fire Update

Location: 22 miles SE of White River, AZ, Fort Apache Agency
For Immediate Release

Media Contact: [email protected]

Containment Increases on Paddy Creek Fire

Whiteriver, Ariz. – Firefighters have been successful in increasing containment on the lightning-caused Paddy Creek Fire on the Fort Apache Agency in Arizona. The fire is now 63% contained and has had no measurable growth since Friday and it remains approximately 667 acres in size.

Containment has been established on the southern, western, and northern edges of the fire. Fire activity has been minimal. Crews will continue fireline construction and patrolling the fire’s perimeter in the coming days.

The lightning-caused Turkey Track Fire, located within the 2002 Rodeo Chedinski fire perimeter approximately 8.5 miles northwest of Carrizo and 18 miles southwest of Show Low, received significant precipitation over the weekend and into Monday. Fire managers continue monitoring the fire with aircraft; fire activity has remained minimal with no or little visible smoke.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures are expected to be in the high 70s and low 80s for the remainder of the week with the possibility of thunderstorms most days. Thunderstorms can cause gusty outflow winds that may increase fire behavior.

Public Safety: As fuels dry from the precipitation received over the weekend, smoke may be visible as fuels smolder and unburned islands within the fire’s perimeter burn. For more information on real-time air quality and smoke information, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov.

Despite recent rains, fuels throughout the area remain dry and receptive to fire. The public is encouraged to observe fire restrictions and be careful with anything that can spark wildfire.

This will be the last update on the Paddy Creek and Turkey Track fires unless significant events occur.

08/31/2026

Monday, August 31, 2026

Paddy Creek Fire Update
Location: 22 miles SE of White River, AZ, Fort Apache Agency

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: [email protected]

Rain and Increased Resources Help as Firefighters Make Progress on Fort Apache Wildfires

Whiteriver, Ariz. – Over the weekend, firefighters made significant progress on the lightning-caused Paddy Creek Fire on the Fort Apache Agency in Arizona. The fire has not had measurable growth since Friday and it remains approximately 668 acres in size. The Paddy Creek Fire is now 25% contained.

Firefighters have completed fireline around much of the fire’s perimeter and those lines held over the weekend. The fire area received over an inch of rain over the past 48 hours, which has significantly tempered fire activity. Firefighters will continue reinforcing lines and patrolling in the coming days.

The lightning-caused Turkey Track Fire, located within the 2002 Rodeo Chedinski fire perimeter approximately 8.5 miles northwest of Carrizo and 18 miles southwest of Show Low, also received significant precipitation over the weekend. Fire activity is minimal.

Firefighters will respond to new fires as they occur. The Paddy Creek Fire remains fire managers’ highest operational priority as resources are strategically assigned across multiple incidents.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Rain is expected to continue throughout the day on Monday and into Tuesday. Rainfall will continue to keep fire activity at a minimum.

Public Safety: As precipitation lessens later in the week and the area dries, smoke may be visible as fuels smolder and unburned islands within the fire’s perimeter burn. For more information on real-time air quality and smoke information, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov.

Despite recent rains, fuels throughout the area remain dry and receptive to fire. The public is encouraged to observe fire restrictions and be careful with anything that can spark wildfire.

Future updates on the Paddy Creek Fire and other fires on Fort Apache will be available on Inciweb and the BIA Fort Apache Agency Fire Management page.

This map shows fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from wildfires and other sources. It provides a public resource of information to best prepare and manage wildfire season. Developed in a joint partnership between the EPA and USFS led AirFire team. Development work done by Stuart Illson

08/29/2026

Paddy Creek & Turkey Track Fire Update

Location: 22 miles SE of Whiteriver, AZ,

Fort Apache Agency
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: [email protected]

U.S. Wildland Fire Service Firefighters Continue Suppression Efforts on Fort Apache Wildfires

Whiteriver, Ariz. – U.S. Wildland Fire Service firefighters will continue suppression efforts on Saturday on the lightning-caused Paddy Creek Fire and other fires burning across the reservation.

The Paddy Creek Fire is approximately 668 acres and is burning in grass and timber understory. Firefighters completed fire lines on the eastern side of the fire along roads 48D and 48E. Today, they will continue constructing and reinforcing containment lines on the north and northeast portions of the fire where fire remains active along Razorback Ridge above the Paddy Creek drainage.

Additional resources, including aircraft and hand crews, arrived on scene Friday night and this morning and will join suppression efforts today. Aircraft will be supporting ground crews as needed throughout the day on Saturday.

USWFS resources are also responding to several smaller fires across the reservation. The lightning-caused Turkey Track Fire, located within the 2002 Rodeo Chedisski fire perimeter approximately 8.5 miles northwest of Carrizo and 18 miles southwest of Show Low, has grown to an estimated 100 acres based on the latest heat signature assessment.

Fire activity remains moderate, primarily consuming heavy dead and downed fuels. Firefighters will be scouting access to the fire today and working to get crews into the area.

Firefighters are patrolling and improving completed fire lines on several other fires in the area. Firefighters will respond to new fires as they occur. The Paddy Creek Fire remains fire managers’ highest operational priority as resources are strategically assigned across multiple incidents.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected again today and through the weekend. While rainfall may reduce fire intensity in some areas, thunderstorms can also produce strong, erratic winds, lightning, and localized heavy rain.

Public Safety: Smoke may be visible from several active fires throughout the reservation. For more information on real-time air quality and smoke information, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov.

Motorists should use caution when traveling near fire operations, watch for firefighting personnel and equipment on area roads, and avoid entering active fire areas.

Future updates on the Paddy Creek Fire and other fires on Fort Apache will be available on Inciweb and the BIA Fort Apache Agency Fire Management page.

08/28/2026

🔥 Paddy Creek Fire Update | August 28, 2026 🔥

Location: 22 miles SE of White River, AZ, Fort Apache Agency

U.S. Wildland Fire Service Firefighters Continue Work on Paddy Creek Fire and new starts on Fort Apache Agency

Whiteriver, Ariz. – U.S. Wildland Fire Service firefighters will continue suppression efforts today on the lightning-caused Paddy Creek Fire. Firefighting resources are also responding to several smaller fires across the reservation.

The Paddy Creek Fire is approximately 660 acres and is burning in grass and timber understory. Yesterday, fire backed slowly through the upper third of the Paddy Creek drainage and moved to the northeast under winds from the southwest.

Today, firefighters will work to limit further spread into the Paddy Creek drainage and will strengthen lines that were constructed on Thursday. Crews will engage the fire as conditions and terrain allows and adjust tactics as needed to ensure firefighter safety.

Additionally, USWFS resources are responding to several smaller fires across the reservation. Firefighters are patrolling and improving completed fire lines on the Cedar Canyon Fire, located 10 miles southwest of Pinetop-Lakeside. Firefighters continue mop-up on the Dry Valley Fire, located 6 miles southwest of Pinetop-Lakeside. Firefighters will respond to new lightning caused starts as they occur. The Paddy Creek Fire remains fire managers’ highest operational priority as resources are strategically assigned across multiple incidents.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Weather on Friday is expected to be hot again with temperatures in the high 80s. There is a 40% chance of thunderstorms from noon Friday into Saturday morning. Winds are expected to be 5-10 mph out of the southwest, but gusty and erratic winds may emerge with passing thunderstorms, which may increase fire activity.

Public Safety: Smoke may be visible from several active fires throughout the reservation. For more information on real-time air quality and smoke information, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov.

Motorists should use caution when traveling near fire operations, watch for firefighting personnel and equipment on area roads, and avoid entering active fire areas.

08/04/2026

After more than 30 years of dedicated service, the Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency congratulates Peter Paxson on his retirement.👏🎉

Peter began his career in 1989 on the Apache 3 crew and served on firelines from Arizona to Florida. Throughout his career, he answered every call with professionalism, protected communities and natural resources, and mentored the next generation of wildland firefighters. 🔥

His dedication, leadership, and commitment to serving others have left a lasting impact on colleagues and the communities he helped protect. 🌲

Congratulations, Peter, on an incredible career. Thank you for your decades of service and best wishes in your well-earned retirement! 🎊

07/28/2026

On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, fire crews responded to the Post Office Fire. The fire was located east of the post office bridge and was attributed to a lightning strike.

The fire was estimated at 0.2 acres. Tribal resources were also engaged. Fire activity and spread is low with smoldering. Firefighters successfully completed a containment line around the fire.

Firefighting crews will continue working to improve fire lines and extinguish remaining hotspots. Smoke from the incident is visible from Highway 73.

Outstanding work by everyone involved. Their swift and effective response made a significant difference in managing the situation.

If you have any questions regarding the incident, please contact Duty Officer Danny Taylor at (928) 940-0722.

07/08/2026

REMEMBER: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are currently active. To help keep our community safe, here are some essential guidelines to follow:
❗Open flames are strictly prohibited. This includes campfires, barbeques, stove or propane fire pits, and any other form of outdoor burning.
❗Smoking is not allowed unless you are inside an enclosed vehicle or building.
❗Exercise caution with your vehicles, especially when parking. Always ensure you park only in areas free from dry grass and vegetation.
❗If you notice any fire hazards or risks, please report them immediately.

By staying vigilant and working together, we can significantly reduce the risk of wildfires and protect our environment.

06/18/2026

As we move into the summer season and begin gathering with family and friends, the Fort Apache Agency wants to remind everyone that fireworks are always illegal on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

While fireworks may seem harmless, it only takes one spark to start a wildfire. A single firework can ignite dry grass, brush, or timber and quickly threaten homes, families, livestock, wildlife, cultural sites, and the forests that surround our communities.

Every year, firefighters, hotshots, engines, helitack crews, and tribal forestry personnel put themselves in harm’s way protecting lives, property, and natural resources. The best way we can support them is by preventing human caused fires before they start.

This land has sustained our people for generations. It provides our water, our wildlife, our traditions, our recreation, and our way of life. Protecting it is a responsibility we all share.

As you celebrate this season, please leave the fireworks behind and choose safe alternatives. One spark can change everything, but one good decision can prevent a wildfire.

Our ancestors cared for this land before us. It is now our turn to protect it for our children, our grandchildren, and the generations yet to come.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep the Fort Apache Indian Reservation safe. Remember, fireworks are always illegal on the reservation, and together we can prevent wildfires.

05/30/2026

Job opportunity at Fort Apache Agency - Fire Management. Open until June 4,2026.

This is a Direct-Hire advertisement. Veterans preference is not applicable to this advertisement. Learn more about this authority at: Direct Hire Authority This Administrative Support Assistant (Wildland Fire) position is with the US Wildland Fire Service, GS-0303-6/7. For details regarding vacancy....

05/30/2026

The Fort Apache Camp crew were on the seven cabin fire in New Mexico. Our SWFF members are qualified firefighters who also provide valuable support as camp crew members. We appreciate your hard work.