Constellation Fire Monday 8/24 Update
Location: 9 miles NE of Wickenburg, within Wickenburg Mountains
Start Date: Thursday, 8/20/20
Size: 12,252 acres
Cause: Lightning Strike
Containment: 68%
Wickenburg, AZ (8/24/20) – Firefighters continue to secure up containment lines on the Constellation Fire and report containment at 68%. There was minimal growth on the fire overnight and was mapped today at 12,252 acres.
Today, firefighters continued building and improving lines and providing structure protection to residences and infrastructure in the area. Firefighters have scouted natural features to assist with perimeter control and have been able to minimize fire spread to protect values at risk, including the town of Wickenburg, Williams Ranch, the Owl Springs Subdivision, Castle Hot Springs, Crown King, Castle Creek Wilderness, active mining claims, and other various infrastructure.
Crews have more than half of the fire contained, and despite afternoon winds, report containment lines holding. The southeastern side of the fire is the only side that remains uncontained at this time. Even though progress is being made and containment numbers are increasing, more thunderstorms producing outflow winds are expected over the next few days. Those outflow winds pose a concern as they can create active fire behavior, push fire over containment lines, and spread the fire in multiple directions. Only a 10% chance of rain is expected with those storms.
Some area road closures remain in place for both the safety of the firefighters and the public. Castle Hot Springs Road is closed to thru traffic into Castle Creek by the county camp. Constellation Road at the Scenic Loop-area is also closed.
Resources from across the state are assigned to the fire, including local, state, and federal cooperators. Approximately 130 personnel are actively working the fire, including two hotshot crews, one Type 2IA hand crew, multiple engines, water tenders, and various overhead.
The fire started Thursday, August 20, nine miles northeast of Wickenburg within the Wickenburg Mountains. The fire is burning through short and tall grasses along with Chaparral.
Know before you go. Fire restrictions remain in effect throughout Arizona on both state and federal lands, including in Yavapai County. Check firerestrictions.us before heading out.
Additional Fire Information
https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go
https://twitter.com/azstateforestry
https://www.facebook.com/arizonastateforestry
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7034/
Download the free Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management phone application by going to the iTunes or Google Play stores. For more information, contact PAO Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or [email protected].
