Museum

Museum, Coconino NF. One mile north of Flagstaff, AZ. Timber and logging slash. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering and creeping. Area, road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.

July 28, 2019 at 9:33 AM

On the north side of the fire, crews will continue to mop up areas holding heat near the fire perimeter. On the northwest side of the fire, crews will go direct if unburned slash remains. For the eastern/southeastern flanks, firefighters will continue to construct direct line, limiting fire spread and protecting communities and values at risk

Projected Incident Activity

Fire activity will continue to increase due to the lack of precipitation. Minimal fire movement is expected, mainly interior fire pockets will be burning

July 26, 2019 at 7:30 AM

The Southwest Area Incident Management Team is hosting a community meeting at 6:00 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2019, at the Coconino High School located at 2801 North Izabel Street in Flagstaff. Fire professionals will be presenting specific fire-related information to the general public. The meeting will be streamed live on the Museum Fire Information Facebook page.

Fires crews improved access on Mount Elden Lookout Road for suppression resources to reach previously inaccessible areas of the fire. To the south, helicopters dropped loads of retardant to continue cooling hot spots. There is a large amount of heavy timber near the north area of the fire that is actively burning, as well as log decks that are putting off large amounts of smoke.

Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority within the immediate fire area as well as within the surrounding communities. Due to special events occurring in the area, there will be an influx of visitors to the City of Flagstaff and the Coconino National Forest. Heavier vehicle traffic is to be expected on roadways from the general public and firefighters. Motorists are encouraged to heighten their situational awareness when driving to their respective destinations.

Scattered thunderstorms in the area could produce rain and gusty outflows that may cause strong, erratic winds, increased fire behavior and increased smoke in Flagstaff and surrounding communities. Access to live data links from local smoke monitors are located at fires.airfire.org/outlooks. The public is advised to refer to the Coconino County Health Department for information on the health impacts of smoke at www.coconino.az.gov/221/Health. Hot, dry weather will continue throughout the weekend.

July 25, 2019 at 8:03 AM

Firefighters made progress building fireline by hand and tying in with dozer lines on the south and west perimeters of the fire yesterday. Crews are using direct tactics and looking for opportunities for strategic firing operations to accomplish containment goals. Air resources continued to apply retardant to cool existing hot spots. Cooler temperatures and moisture assisted with keeping fire behavior to a minimum during this operational period, however, warmer, drier weather is forecasted in the coming days. Smoke will continue to be visible in the area due to smoldering timber within the fire perimeter.

The Coconino Sheriff’s Office lifted the Elden Lookout Road evacuation this afternoon and allowed residents back into their homes. Fire officials have determined that the area is safe for residents only, however, the conditions and status of the fire could change at any time, resulting in a return to evacuation (GO) status. The Museum Fire Coconino National Forest closure order remains in effect for members of the public. Visit Inciweb at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6450/ to view a map of the closure area.

Areas in pre-evacuation (SET) status include: Elden Lookout Road, West of Weatherford Rd, North of 180, Peak View Country Store, Magdalena, Kelly McCoy, Forest Hills, Valley Crest, Locket Meadows, Mt. Elden Lookout Estates, north and west of Hwy 89 and Silver Saddle, Hutcheson Acres, McCann Estates, Timberline communities, Little Elden Springs, Black Bill Park, Wupatki Trails and Pine Mountain Estates, West of Hwy of 89 from Railhead north to Townsend-Winona, including the KOA Campground and Christmas Tree Estates. For the most current Ready, Set, GO status of communities, call the Coconino County Call Center at 928-213-2990, staffed between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team has been ordered to work with local emergency responders to begin assessments of the affected landscape. BAER Teams are staffed by specially trained professionals: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, vegetation specialists, archeologists, and others who rapidly evaluate the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization treatments to prevent further damage to life, property and natural resources.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones are prohibited from flying over the fire area. Even a tiny drone can cause a serious or fatal accident if it collides with firefighting aircraft. Flying a drone over a wildland fire is breaking the law and shuts down crucial air suppression tactics.

July 24, 2019 at 6:59 AM

Firefighters took advantage of favorable weather conditions today to conduct burnout operations on the north edge of the Museum Fire. Increased smoke may be noticeable as additional burnout operations take place, weather permitting.

Crews are looking for opportunities to implement direct suppression tactics where they can be successful, given the steep and rocky terrain. Firefighters worked to suppress spot fires in the 1977 Radio Fire burn scar and to contain the fire along Mount Elden Lookout Road. Crews continue to construct and connect fire line as well as preforming structure assessment and preparation work.

Helicopters dropped water to cool hotspots within the fire perimeter. The team has ordered an infrared flight over the fire to obtain a more accurate assessment of current fire size but smoke and weather conditions have affected the ability to obtain accurate acreage. The fire is estimated at 1,400 acres.

Questions regarding evacuation status and procedures should be directed to Coconino County Call Center at 928-213-2990, staffed between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. Evacuation orders remain in place for Mount Elden Lookout Road. The Red Cross is operating a shelter for those who have been displaced from their homes at Sinagua Middle School (3950 E. Butler Ave. Flagstaff, AZ).

Several nearby communities remain in pre-evacuation status including Peak View Country Store, Magdalena, Kelly McCoy, Forest Hills, Valley Crest, Lockett Ranch, Mount Elden Lookout Estates, north and west of Highway 89 and Silver Saddle, Hutcheson Acres, McCann Estates, Little Elden Springs, Black Bill Park, Wupatki Trails, Pine Mountain Estates, West of Highway 89 from Railhead north to Townsend-Winona, including the KOA Campground, and Christmas Tree Estates.