Backbone Fire

Backbone Fire
Map of the Backbone Fire on June 30
Date(s)	June 16, 2021 (2021-06-16) – July 19, 2021 (2021-07-19)
Location	Payson, Arizona
Coordinates	34.344°N 111.677°W / 34.344; -111.677
Statistics
Burned area	40,855 acres (16,533 ha)
Ignition
Cause	Lightning
Map
Location in Central Arizona Show map of Arizona Backbone Fire (the United States) Show map of the United States

The Backbone Fire was a wildfire that started near Payson, Arizona on June 16, 2021. The fire burned 40,855 acres (16,533 ha) was fully contained on July 19, 2021.[1][2]

Events

The Backbone Fire was first reported on June 16, 2021, at 11:30 pm MST.[1] The cause of the fire is believed to be due to lightning.[1] On July 19, 2021, the Backbone Fire reached 100% containment.[1][2]

Impact

Closures and evacuations

Fossil Creek Recreation Area was closed on June 17, 2021, due to wildfire danger.[3] On June 19, 2021, the USDA Forest Service Coconino National Forest issued an Emergency Area Closure of areas around the Backbone Fire on the Coconino and Tonto National Forests.[3] The Coconino National Forest was fully closed on June 23, 2021, due to fire danger, dry conditions, persistent wildfire activity, and limited availability of firefighting resources.[3] The Coconino National Forest was reopened on July 6, 2021.

References

1. "Backbone Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System". inciweb.nwcg.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
2. "National Fire News". National Interagency Fire Center.
3. "Backbone Fire Closures - InciWeb the Incident Information System". InciWeb - Incident Information System.