Lightning sparks Grapevine Fire on Mingus Mountain; White Horse Ranch residents evacuate

YAVAPAI COUNTY, Ariz. - Firefighters are battling a lightning-caused fire in the Prescott National Forest on Mingus Mountain, about 10 miles east of Prescott Valley.

The fire, nicknamed the Grapevine Fire, broke out Friday afternoon around 4 p.m. on July 21 on the mountain's south side, the U.S. Forest Service said.

At least 1,089 acres have burned and there is no containment.

Evacuations

The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office announced White Horse Ranch residents are in "GO" mode, meaning evacuate immediately.

The following communities are in "SET" status and need to be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice:

• Mingus Springs 4-H Camp and neighboring residents

"For those needing sheltering, the American Red Cross and Animal Disaster Services will be at the Camp Verde Gym. Anyone with barn animals can take their animals to the LASER shelter at Arizona Downs odd Hwy 89A," says Yavapai County officials.

Camp Verde Gym is located at 75 E. Hollamon Street. For general fire-related questions, contact the emergency operations center at 928-442-5103. 

Mingus Springs 4-H Camp and neighboring residents are in SET mode.

More about the firefight

When crews initially got to the fire on Friday, it was about 2 acres. It was monitored into the evening as monsoon activity, which includes lightning, was kicking up.

The next day, Saturday, it grew to about 20–30 acres as crews "returned and started scouting for containment and initiated minimal suppression attacks on the fire."

The Forest Service says the fire is burning "dead and down fuel."

The entire Prescott National Forest is under stage 1 fire restrictions, meaning you aren't allowed to build, maintain, attend or use a fire, campfire or stove fire.

Updates

July 31

July 27

The fire has burned at least 998 acres with 0% containment.

July 25

Sarah Andrews evacuated to her aunt’s house further away from the Grapevine Fire after White Horse Ranch residents were moved from SET mode to GO mode today.

"Me and my three kids left today when things started getting a little hairy. My husband stayed back, only because we have a horse, chickens, and things that need to be taken care of," Andrews said.

She said she saw the fire inching closer.

"We did see quite a bit of flames, especially at night, you can really see things when the smoke … I don’t know if it dies down, but you’re able to see a lot of things. Today when we got the call, I looked at it, and I could see flames starting to peek over the ridge. I knew it was getting close," she said.

Anxiety and stress take over, especially when you have kids to worry about.

"My family is from Mayer, so the Goodwin Fire came and took out my uncle's house, so I had to help with family during that. But, not personally. I’ve never had to deal with my actual house being close to getting lost," Andrews said.

Yavapai County residents have been dealing with the uncertainty for days as local hotshot crews battle this fire and the Racetrack Fire not far away. 

It’s a little worrisome to know that you could possibly lose everything, but I’m grateful and thankful for all of the firefighters," she said.

July 24

"Yesterday's afternoon thunderstorms moved over the Grapevine Fire where outflows winds pushed to fire to the west increasing the fire size to 400 acres," stated officials on Inciweb.nwcg.gov. "Smoke may be visible from multiple locations including Prescott Valley, Dewey, Prescott and along Highway 169."

July 23

By Sunday, the Forest Service says the fire grew to 140 acres due to monsoon winds overnight.

Map of where Mingus Mountain is: