Disclaimer: I was writing as fast as I can and can barely make out some of my handwriting so some details may not be 100% correct.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, members of the Gila County Emergency Management community representing County, town and regional agencies as well as the National Weather Service and US Forest Service for both Arizona and Tonto National Forest. Supervisor Steve Christensen was the master of ceremonies and Supervisor Woody Cline was also on hand.

Carl Melford, Gila County Emergency Management, started us off with a brief review of how well all the various state and county agencies worked together during last years terrible flooding event in Globe and Miami. Carl made note that the updated Ready Gila alert systems is now Geo-Fenced, meaning it can notify those is a particular geographic area much more accurately and even if you have not signed-up, although that is still the best way to be ready.

The weather report noticed that although we did not get a lot of rain this past winter, it seemed to rain at the ideal time for vegetation to grow. It has also been noticeable warmer this spring and drier than anyone wants. The Tonto National Forest expects they will have to close the forest PRIOR to Memorial Day. However, the NWS sees some hopeful signs that MAYBE we will have a “normal” monsoon season this year.

The Southwest region of the National Forest reports that they already6 have significant resources stood up for the coming fire season and generally it appears ALL planned wildfire resources will be in place no later than April 6th.

Work on the Payson fire break continues and is currently at 2,300 acres cleared.

Despite the drier than hoped winter, The Cragin Reservoir is currently at 74% full.

APS continues their operations to be as firewise as they can with pole clearing and tree trimming operations on-going. They are expanding their network of cameras that use AI to discover smoke from fires at the earliest possible moment. It was noted that they detected a fire at Buckhead Mesa outside Pine before the workers there noticed it causing Pine Strawberry Fire District to be dispatched, and the forest service fire fighters to be on scene before the workers were able to asses and report the fire. They are also adding fuel moisture content measurements to all their weather stations.

There are many new trails around Payson and also in the Pine Strawberry area. All of these trails can be used by wildfire and search and rescue personnel in the event of a fire or incident.

Pine Strawberry Fuel Reduction has many initiatives ongoing to help mitigate the fire danger including using grant money to help those that cannot clean-up their property get it done, operating the Pine Brush Pit, doing community outreach and education and building an maintaining trails.

Gila county trail work volunteers contributed over 5,000 hours of labor last year.

Under-sheriff Dennis Newman is retiring. Dennis has been instrumental in advancing the use of GMRS in Gila county for emergencies and will be sorely missed.

The Blattner Brush Pit will probably have to close as the company that was using their collections as bio-fuels can no longer take them.

There are currently 14 dip-sites available for fire wildfire fighting, each holding 20,000 gallons of water.

Everyone be VERY careful this year. We want everyone back safe next year.

This report reflects my notes, as I remember them. Woody – KJ7YYI