White Tail

White Tail Fire Report - July 1, 2026

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The White Tail Fire was discovered on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at approximately 6:15 p.m. It is located northeast of Rocky Junction and east of White Tail Springs in Gila County, on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
Size and Containment: As of the latest incident updates on June 30, 2026, the fire has burned approximately 857 acres and is 30% contained.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: Burning in steep, rugged, and rocky terrain, the fire grew from an initial report of 700 acres to 857 acres over the past week.
Containment Efforts: Firefighters are making headway and are currently concentrating their efforts on the north and northeast flanks of the fire. Due to the steep terrain, the strategy focuses on containing the fire along the eastern and western edges. Resources assigned to the incident have included a hotshot crew, an air tanker, Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters, and a very large air tanker (VLAT).

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders in place for residential areas.
Evacuation Warnings: There are no evacuation warnings active at this time.
Curfew: No curfews have been reported for this incident.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: No evacuation shelters have been opened, as no residents are currently displaced. The estimated number of people impacted by evacuations is zero.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• The San Carlos Apache Tribe has closed the Hilltop, Point of Pines, and Malay Gap forest management units.
• Seneca Lake (also reported as Sceneca Lake) is closed to the public as a result of the fire.

For more information, visit:

• InciWeb - Incident Information System
• Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
• San Carlos Apache Tribe Official Website

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: No injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the White Tail Fire.
Structures Impacted: There are no reports of structures destroyed or damaged.
School and Business Closures: No schools or commercial businesses are reported closed, though tribal forest management units and recreational lakes are shut down.
Notable Impacts: The fire is burning on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, directly impacting tribal lands, forest management operations, and local recreation at Seneca Lake.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: No power outages have been reported in connection with this fire.
Water Safety: No specific water safety concerns have been reported, but residents should monitor local advisories.
Burn Bans: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, prohibiting charcoal and campfires, including in developed campgrounds.
Air Quality: While specific air quality alerts for this fire have not been issued, smoke may be visible and could affect sensitive groups in the immediate vicinity.
Other Health Risks: An extreme heat warning has been issued for Gila County, posing a significant health risk to residents and creating hazardous conditions for firefighters.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: Firefighters are making steady headway, having reached 30% containment. Crews will continue to focus on hotspots and securing the northern and northeastern perimeters where the rugged terrain allows.
Weather and Wind Warnings: An extreme heat warning is in effect for Gila County. The region continues to experience moderate to severe drought conditions, keeping vegetation critically dry and susceptible to fire spread.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The White Tail Fire was ignited by a lightning strike.
Weather and Climate: The fire is being fueled by extreme heat and dry conditions amid an ongoing moderate to severe drought in Southeastern Arizona. While the 2026 Arizona Monsoon Outlook predicts a chance for above-normal precipitation later in the summer, the current extreme heat warning and dry fuels have created a highly receptive environment for lightning-ignited wildfires.

For more information, visit:

• InciWeb - Incident Information System
• Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
• San Carlos Apache Tribe Official Website