The Coconino National Forest has established this method of notifying you of planned and current fuels treatment activities on the forest. For confirmation or for more information, please visit our "Current Conditions" page of the Coconino National Forest web-site. You may click
this link http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/conditions/current-rx.shtml, or use the "shortcut" to our main page: www.coconinoforest.us
The Coconino County Health Department provides information about smoke concerns and offers suggestions for minimizing smoke impacts to your family and home at the following website http://www.coconino.az.gov/health.aspx?id=6564.
Lightning-caused fires update
Two lightning-caused fires on the Coconino National Forest are being managed for resource benefits, including:
Re-introducing natural fire into the ecosystem.
Reducing heavy fuel loading to diminish catastrophic wildfire danger.
Maintaining and enhancing healthy wildlife habitat.
And recycling valuable nutrients back into the soil.
Weir Fire
The Weir Fire, burning about one mile north of Stoneman Lake, is now estimated at 300 acres. This low-intensity fire continues to burn in the ponderosa pine understory and is being managed for natural resource benefits. Smoke may be visible east of Interstate 17 and from the Verde Valley.
Fire managers conducted a low-intensity burnout yesterday in an area with heavy fuel loading. Due to the heavy fuels, this area will smoke for several days. Another burnout operation may be ignited today to create a burned zone to connect into fireline on the west side of the fire.
The fire will be monitored over the weekend by seven engines, about 30 personnel. No structures or developed recreation areas are being threatened.
The Weir Fire was ignited August 16 and is burning within the Rattlesnake Quiet Area (Game Management Unit 6A). Public access around the fire area may be limited over the next several weeks. A temporary closure is in effect on the 9240D road for firefighter and public safety. The road is posted from Forest Road 665 road east to Forest Road 239. The public is asked to please avoid the active fire and adjacent area due to falling trees.
Ranger Complex
The Ranger Complex includes the Ranger Fire and Bravo Fires, which ignited in mid-July near Blue Ridge/C.C. Cragin Reservoir. The complex has grown to 2100 acres. Fire activity slowed with higher humidity and rain earlier this week. Both fires are doing quite well removing heavy fuels on the forest floor, with little torching in the branches. With warmer, drier weather, fire activity will pick up and smoke may have an impact within the subdivisions at Blue Ridge and along State Highway 87. One engine is monitoring the fire.
Prescribed burns are planned next week adjacent to Ranger Fire, although managing the lightning-caused fire activity takes precedence. If smoke gets too heavy or adequate fire crew staffing is not available, the prescribed fire ignition will be postponed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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