AZASD White Sage Fire

By: Inciweb Posted On: July 10, 2025 View: 10

The White Sage Fire originated about 1.5 miles from White Sage, AZ & approximately 15 mi southeast of Fredonia, AZ.

The BLM received a smoke report Wednesday evening, July 9, following a thunderstorm that moved through the White Sage area.

Fire fighter and public safety are the highest priority. The BLM continues coordination with Coconino County Emergency Management on evacuations and closures.

Evacuations are being conducted in cooperation with Coconino County Sheriff.

A Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered.

More Information and Resources:

Current Situation - 7/13 Morning Update:

The Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Mack McFarland, has assumed command of the White Sage Fire. Firefighters continue to make progress on several fronts. Fire lines near White Sage community are holding well, and crews remain actively engaged to ensure that area stays secure. Firefighters continue to strengthen and secure containment lines around the Lonesome Ranch area to protect private lands.

On the southern edge of the fire, hand crews and bulldozers are working uphill toward Highway 89A. Although some spotting has occurred by wind-carried embers ahead of the main fire, the spread has remained minimal. Fire behavior in this area remains moderate due to active suppression efforts.

To the east and north, the fire is experiencing rapid growth, particularly within the 2020 Mangum Fire footprint. Grasses and standing dead trees are contributing to intense fire activity. The fire is pushing downhill toward the Vermilion Cliffs area, prompting crews to begin assessing opportunities for tactical firing operations. This creates a buffer zone of removed fire fuels, helping to slow or halt the fire's progress. The Winter Road, which was previously prepped with fuel reduction work during the 2020 Mangum Fire, is being accessed as a potential containment line to limit further growth to the north. No structures have been lost.

The Bravo Dragon Fire is 35 miles south of the White Sage Fire at Grand Canyon National Park.

Fire Behavior

Hot, dry, and windy conditions continue to challenge firefighting efforts. This, combined with record-high Energy Release Components (ERCs), a measurement of how dry and flammable the vegetation is, is creating a volatile environment. These high ERCs indicate that fuels are ready to ignite easily and support extreme fire behavior. Despite the challenging conditions, crews are maintaining focus on containment strategies while prioritizing the safety of communities.