Firefighters continue battling the White Sage Fire, which has now burned 51,922 acres approximately 15 miles southeast of Fredonia, Arizona. With 0% containment and 572 personnel on scene, fire activity remains high—particularly along the southeastern perimeter where resources are now concentrated.
While fire runs earlier this week reached up to 7 miles per day, Monday’s growth slowed significantly to 2,636 acres, aided by favorable weather and successful ground efforts. The fire has now scorched through areas previously burned by the 2020 Mangum Fire, where invasive cheatgrass is contributing to rapid spread.
Suppression Progress and Spike Camp Strategy
On the northwestern flank, shifting winds and dry fuels led to increased fire activity. However, crews on the northern edge were able to go direct—building control lines right along the fire perimeter where conditions allowed.
The western perimeter near White Sage is holding strong, and operations there are beginning to shift toward suppression repair work to address impacts from heavy equipment and firefighting activity.
To improve response time and reduce travel, crews have now established a spike camp near the southeastern section of the fire, where fire behavior remains most active and intense.
Fire Behavior & Weather
Fire behavior is being driven by gusty winds and highly receptive fuels like dry brush and cheatgrass. On Monday, storms around the fire zone brought gusts up to 35 MPH and some lightning, increasing risks for spot fires and erratic spread. The Incident Meteorologist is forecasting a developing monsoon pattern later in the week, which could bring much-needed moisture—but also the threat of additional lightning and unstable winds.
Evacuations & Closures
Evacuations and road closures remain in effect due to fire activity, especially on the southern edge. Coconino County emergency management officials continue working closely with fire leadership to coordinate safety measures and alerts. Residents and travelers are encouraged to stay informed via the Coconino County evacuation dashboard.
More Information
Call the Fire Information Line at 928-218-4240 (8 AM–8 PM) or email 2025.whitesage@firenet.gov.
Stay updated via BLM Arizona on Facebook and Kaibab National Forest on Facebook.
View the official White Sage Fire incident page on InciWeb.
