Rattlesnake Fire (2018)

The Rattlesnake fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. on April 11, 2018, on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, approximately 20 miles southeast of Whiteriver, Arizona, in a remote area east of Rattlesnake Point.[2] By the next day, the fire had grown to 400 acres (2 km²) and had expanded to the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The cause of the fire was unknown.[3] On June 3, the fire expanded into the San Carlos Indian Reservation and 158 fire personnel were recruited to fight the fire.[4]

The Rattlesnake Fire had grown to 2,644 acres (11 km²) by April 14, with red flag warnings in effect. It also expanded into the Bear Wallow Wilderness. Air support was utilized for the first time and closures were put in place for areas of the national forest, along with several roads.[5] The next day, the fire was at three percent containment and officials reported that while the cause of the fire was still unknown, it was believed to be cause by a human.[6]

By April 18, the fire had ballooned to 11,339 acres (46 km²), with the fire growing in the south and southeast, particularly on the San Carlos Indian Reservation and Bear Wallow Wilderness.[7] It grew even more by April 25, expanding to 21,513 acres (87 km²) due to warming trends, including hot days, little humidity and light winds. Fire fighters focused on containing spot fires and continuing burnout efforts by removing ground fuels.[8]

The fire was declared 63 percent contained at 25,996 acres (105 km²) on April 29.[9]

By May 1, the fire had burned 26,072 acres (106 km²) and remained 63 percent contained. Red flag conditions persisted along with low humidity. Forest Road 25 was closed.[10] Cooler weather and light precipitation enabled crews to make headway on containment, with the fire being at 82 percent containment by the evening of May 2.[11]