Two lightning-caused wildfires are located in remote areas of the Alpine Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. They are the Fish Creek fire and the KP fire.
The Fish Creek fire was discovered on Oct. 26, 2023, and is 105 acres. The fire is 32 miles southwest of Alpine, north of Hoodoo Knoll, south of the Black River, east of Forest Road 25, and west of the Fish Creek drainage. Vegetation in the area includes mixed conifer, ponderosa pine, grass, oak, and locust with some heavy dead and down fuels. Smoke is visible from Forest Road 25, 24, and the 25B. Drift smoke is expected to settle into the Black River drainage, especially in the overnight hours.
The KP fire was discovered on Oct. 21, 2023, and is 25 acres. The fire is 33 miles southwest of Alpine, south of KP Creek, north of Forest Road 184, east of Highway 191, and west of Sawed Off Mountain. This area is predominantly mixed conifer, aspen, locust, and grass. Smoke is mostly visible from Forest Road 184.
Fire managers are currently considering long-term fire spread potential, fire history in the area, seasonal weather patterns, resource availability and other factors as they develop a plan to manage the Fish Creek and KP fires. These fires are being closely monitored for impacts to values at risk. A point-protection strategy will be implemented if the values at risk become threatened. With the current fall weather pattern in place, the fires are spreading at a low to moderate pace, consuming forest debris. There are no evacuations or threats to communities or infrastructure from either fire.
Smoke may impact the communities of Alpine and Nutrioso. Affected communities can access air quality information at https://www.airnow.gov/.
Visit the A-S National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.