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Goodwin Fire

Coordinates: 34°21′27″N 112°22′21″W / 34.35750°N 112.37250°W / 34.35750; -112.37250
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Goodwin Fire
Date(s)June 24 – July 10, 2017
LocationYavapai County, Arizona, U.S.
Coordinates34°21′27″N 112°22′21″W / 34.35750°N 112.37250°W / 34.35750; -112.37250
Statistics
Burned area28,516 acres (11,540 ha; 44.556 sq mi)
Impacts
Evacuated9,000+
Structures destroyed17
Damage$15 million (equivalent to $19 million in 2023)
Ignition
CauseUndetermined
Map
Area burnt by the Goodwin Fire according to the National Interagency Fire Center
Area burnt by the Goodwin Fire according to the National Interagency Fire Center

The Goodwin Fire was a wildfire that burned 28,516 acres (11,540 ha) in the U.S. state of Arizona over 16 days, from June 24 to July 10, 2017. The fire destroyed 17 homes and damaged another 19 structures, but no firefighters or civilians were injured or died in the fire. Investigators did not determine any particular cause for the fire.

The fire was first detected on June 24, 2017, by a two-man fire patrol that spotted smoke in the Bradshaw Mountains near Prescott, Arizona. Benefiting from undisturbed chaparral and high winds, the fire spread rapidly and forced the evacuation of several townships within Yavapai County and the closure of Arizona State Route 69. Despite firefighting aircraft being twice grounded by civilian drones operating in the burn area, firefighters made rapid progress containing the fire's spread after June 28. The fire was fully contained on July 10 and had lasting environmental consequences.

Background

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Wildfires are a natural part of the ecological cycle of the Southwestern United States.[1]: 3–6  The Goodwin Fire was one of 2,321 wildfires that burned a total of 429,564 acres (173,838 ha) in Arizona in 2017.[2] The state had expected a "normal" fire season in its forests but high potential in the state's southern grasslands due to high temperatures, low humidity, and an abundance of fuels.[3] By August 2017, wildfires had burned the most land since the 2011 season.[4] In May 2018, the Ecological Restoration Institute at Northern Arizona University published a study of the 2017 wildfire season in Arizona and New Mexico and observed that more land had burned in Arizona than the average of the previous ten years. Eleven fires were studied, of which ten were in Arizona and included the Goodwin Fire.[5]: 1 

Fire

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At around 4:00 pm (MST), June 24, 2017, a two-man fire patrol monitoring the Bradshaw Mountains observed a column of smoke rising from a location about 14 mi (23 km) south of Prescott, in Yavapai County, Arizona.[6][7] The pair reported the fire and began digging a firebreak; firefighting units arrived two hours later and began fire suppression efforts. Fed by undisturbed growths of dry shrubland (chaparral) and high winds, and with fire crews impaired by difficult terrain, the fire grew from 150 acres (61 ha) on June 24 to 25,000 acres (10,000 ha) on June 29.[6] Yavapai County officials issued warnings about the smoke billowing from the fire on June 29.[8]

In response to the Goodwin Fire's rapid spread, all roads within or leading into the burn area were closed on June 26,[9] and the communities of Mayer and Breezy Pines were evacuated the next day.[10][11] On June 27, Arizona State Route 69 (SR 69) was closed between Prescott and Interstate 17 and residents of Walker, Potato Patch, Mountain Pine Acres, and Mount Union were issued preemptive evacuation notices.[10][12] Doug Ducey, the Governor of Arizona, declared a state of emergency in Yavapai County the next day,[13][14] and he secured additional state and federal resources for containing the Goodwin Fire.[15] Ducey visited Dewey–Humboldt and the perimeter of the fire on June 29 to meet with firefighters and evacuees.[16][17][18]

By June 29, the containment of the Goodwin Fire's spread was estimated at 43%. Evacuation orders for residents of Mayer were lifted, as were all preemptive evacuation orders.[19][20] SR 69 reopened on June 30.[21][22] Firefighting aircraft were grounded on June 28 by a civilian drone flying over the burn area,[23] a crime in Arizona (causing interference with emergency or law-enforcement efforts) for which the drone's operator was arrested on July 1.[24][25] The operator was charged on July 7 with hindering firefighting efforts,[26] but the charges were dropped on August 18.[27] By July 4, when firefighting aircraft were again grounded by civilian drones,[28][29] the Goodwin Fire had grown to 28,508 acres (11,537 ha) but had been 91% contained.[30][31] The fire was fully contained on July 10.[32][33]

Aftermath

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The Goodwin Fire burned 28,516 acres (11,540 ha) over 16 days and cost $15 million to suppress (equivalent to $19 million in 2023[34]). Of the total area burned, 56% suffered total foliage mortality. The fire forced the evacuation of 9,000 people, destroyed 17 homes, and damaged another 19 structures.[5]: 10  More than 650 firefighters were involved in containing the Goodwin Fire at its height.[13]

As early as July 5,[35] officials began warning of the possibility of severe flooding during the North American monsoon as a consequence of the Goodwin Fire creating terrain incapable of absorbing water.[35][36] On July 19, rainwater drained from the Goodwin Fire burn scar into Big Bug Creek, near Mayer, which overflowed into a trailer park within Mayer's municipal limits. The flood damaged 109 houses and two residents had to be rescued from their homes.[36][37][38] Some evacuations ordered in response to the flooding remained in place until August 19.[39]

Firefighters suspected a human cause,[19] but the subsequent investigation did not determine a specific cause.[5]: 10 [40]

Environmental consequences

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On August 8, the United States Forest Service published a burned area emergency response assessment of the Goodwin Fire's burn scar and recommended immediate stabilization of severely burned areas via aerial reseeding.[41][42] Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) toured the burn scar on August 17.[40] Helicopters began dropping 27,365 lb (12,413 kg) of grass seed on August 18.[43]

References

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  1. ^ Pyne, Stephen J. (2016). The Southwest: A Fire Survey. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 9780816534487.
  2. ^ "National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 28, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  3. ^ Jeong, Yihyun (April 11, 2017). "What to expect for Arizona's 2017 wildfire season". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  4. ^ Ziegler, Zachary (August 31, 2017). "Looking Back on Fire Season in Arizona, and Places Touched by the Flames". Arizona Public Media. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Lynch, Michael; Evans, Alexander (May 2018). "2017 Wildfire Season: An Overview" (PDF). Southwestern United States. Northern Arizona University. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Craven, Scott (June 29, 2017). "Goodwin Fire: Origins of a disaster". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "Pine Flat evacuated because of Goodwin Fire". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. June 24, 2017. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  8. ^ Hutson, Nanci (June 29, 2017). "Officials urge health precaution: avoid breathing in smoke". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "More roads closed near Goodwin Fire". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. June 26, 2017. Archived from the original on October 21, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Craven, Scott (June 27, 2017). "Goodwin Fire forces Mayer to evacuate, closes major road to Prescott". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  11. ^ Loomis, Brandon (June 29, 2017). "Evacuated mountain village no stranger to fire risks". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  12. ^ "Fire threatens Mayer, closes highway". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Goodwin Fire Update: Governor Ducey Declares State of Emergency". Governor of Arizona. June 28, 2017. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  14. ^ Hansen, Ronald J.; Craven, Scott (June 28, 2017). "Arizona declares state of emergency for Goodwin Fire". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  15. ^ Suerth, Jessica (June 30, 2017). "5 states ravaged by wildfires amid high temps, gusty winds". CNN. Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  16. ^ Sanchez, Yvonne Wingett; Hansen, Ronald J. (June 29, 2017). "Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey sees quick work, good fortune at edge of Goodwin Fire". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  17. ^ Bacon, John (June 29, 2017). "27 large wildfires are burning across the West. Here's the latest update". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2021.
  18. ^ Hutson, Nanci (June 30, 2017). "Gov. Ducey praises efforts to quell Goodwin Fire day before anniversary of nation's worst fire tragedy". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. Archived from the original on October 25, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Bowling, Joshua (June 29, 2017). "Goodwin Fire: Evacuees return, fire 43 percent contained, State Route 69 expected to reopen". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  20. ^ Jeffrey, Courtland (June 28, 2017). "Goodwin Fire map: Track size of wildfire burning near Prescott". KNXV-TV. Phoenix, Arizona. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  21. ^ Bowling, Joseph (June 30, 2017). "State Route 69 reopens near Goodwin Fire area". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  22. ^ Miner, Colin (June 29, 2017). "Goodwin Fire Latest: Now 43 Percent Contained; Highway 69 Reopens Friday". Patch. Archived from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  23. ^ Frank, BrieAnna J. (June 28, 2017). "Drone forces firefighting aircraft at Goodwin Fire to land; Yavapai County Sheriff's Office investigating". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  24. ^ Frank, BrieAnna J. (July 1, 2017). "Arrest made in drone flights over Goodwin Fire". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  25. ^ Klapper, Clayton (July 1, 2017). "Prescott Valley man arrested for delaying Goodwin Fire fight with drone". KNXV-TV. Phoenix, Arizona. Archived from the original on July 1, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  26. ^ Gundran, Robert (July 6, 2017). "Prescott Valley man charged in drone flight that grounded wildfire aircraft". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  27. ^ "Charges dropped in Goodwin Fire drone investigation". The Arizona Republic. Associated Press. August 18, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  28. ^ "Flying Drones Impact Goodwin Fire Aviation Operations". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  29. ^ "Flying drones impact Goodwin Fire operations; 2nd incident happened Tuesday". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. July 4, 2017. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  30. ^ White, Kaila (July 4, 2017). "Goodwin Fire operations grounded because of another flying drone". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  31. ^ "Goodwin Fire update: drones halts firefighting efforts again near Prescott Valley". KNXV-TV. Phoenix, Arizona. Associated Press. July 4, 2017. Archived from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  32. ^ "Goodwin Fire". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  33. ^ "Brooklyn Fire 75% contained; Goodwin Fire at 100%". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. July 11, 2017. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  34. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  35. ^ a b "Time to be ready for flooding in wake of Goodwin Fire". KNXV-TV. Phoenix, Arizona. Associated Press. July 5, 2017. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  36. ^ a b "Goodwin Fire Scar/Mayer Flood July 2017". The Weather Channel. IBM. Archived from the original on August 10, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  37. ^ Frank, BrieAnna J. (July 11, 2017). "Evacuation in Mayer ends, but flood damage remains". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  38. ^ "2 rescued, others evacuated in Mayer flash flooding". KNXV-TV. Phoenix, Arizona. July 19, 2017. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  39. ^ "Evacuations lifted for Mayer, Cordes Lakes after flash flooding". KNXV-TV. Phoenix, Arizona. August 19, 2017. Archived from the original on June 27, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  40. ^ a b Pohl, Jason (August 17, 2017). "As reseeding begins, Sen. Jeff Flake tours Goodwin Fire burn area". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  41. ^ "Goodwin Fire Burned Area Emergency Response Update". Prescott National Forest. United States Forest Service. August 8, 2017. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  42. ^ "Crews to start remediation of Goodwin Fire area". The Daily Courier. Prescott, Arizona. August 9, 2017. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  43. ^ Cook, Halie (August 18, 2017). "Forest restoration begins in Mayer after flash floods, fire ravage community". KPNX. Mesa, Arizona. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
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