NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
For Immediate Release
July 27, 2011
Contact: Brienne Magee
Tel: 928-527-8290
Coconino NF Fire Activity Update
Flagstaff, AZ - Recent weather has provided Fire Managers on the Coconino National Forest with opportunities to manage several wildfires for their ecological benefits. The Bolt, Rocky, Sandrock, and Scout fires were started by lightning from the recent storms. The location of these fires and the moisture that came with the storms have provided ideal conditions for the fires to burn at an intensity where they can safely perform their natural role in the forest.
Ecosystems in the southwest evolved with fire, and depend on the role of fire in the system to remain healthy. These fires clean up the understory of the forest, consuming downed logs, branches, pine needles, old stumps while reducing fuel loads and lowering the chances of high-severity wildfire under drier conditions. Fire also returns nutrient-rich ash to the soil, promoting the regeneration of native grasses and forbs in the understory, which improves wildlife habitat.
However, with all fire comes smoke. “Smoke
impacts to local communities is something we consider very seriously in
our management of wildfires,” says Russell Copp, Forest Fire Management
Officer. “Some level of smoke is inevitable, but we will continue to mitigate
impacts as much as possible. We’d much prefer smoke from these lower intensity
fires than that of uncontrolled wildfire.”
Fire managers monitor weather conditions
and use strategies to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. Slowing
fire’s progression on days when ventilation conditions are poor and conducting
operations earlier in the day when smoke dispersal is best are two examples
to help reduce the amount of smoke that settles into valleys overnight.
These fires may burn for several weeks, but
are primarily dependent on the amount of precipitation received. Fire
managers are continually assessing fire behavior and smoke impacts altering
their management strategies when necessary to minimize smoke.
There are no road closures due to these fires
at this time, but travelers need to be aware of the presence of smoke,
fire crews and equipment.
Bolt Fire
Over the last few days there has been minimal
activity on the Bolt Fire due to rain, but nighttime smoke has been following
canyons and drainages into the Munds Park and Sedona areas. The fire has
reached the boundaries that fire mangers established initially; it will
continue to smolder within the interior as it runs its course. Ventilation
conditions today are dispersing the majority of smoke away from communities,
but the Munds Park and Sedona residents should expect to notice a considerable
amount of smoke again tonight and tomorrow morning. Over the next several
days, activity and smoke will greatly diminish.
Behavior: Isolated smoldering of logs.
Fire activity is expected to continue to decline.
Start Date: July 11, 2011
Location: Approximately 6 miles northeast
of Munds Park, off Forest Road 132A
Size: 1,650 acres
Rocky Fire
Smoke is expected to funnel into the Verde
Valley in the evenings and early morning hours. This fire is being
managed by the Red Rock Ranger District.
Behavior: Light. Burning in the ponderosa
pine understory. No torching of trees has been observed.
Start Date: July 18, 2011
Location: Off Stoneman lake Road,
near Rocky Gulch
Size: 36 acres
Sandrock Fire
Smoke will funnel into Calf Pen Canyon and
the Fossil Springs Wilderness during the evening and early morning hours.
No smoke from this fire is expected to impact the Blue Ridge area.
This fire is being managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Behavior: Light. Burning
in the ponderosa pine understory. No torching of trees has been observed.
Start Date: July 21, 2011
Location: off Highway 260, near Twenty-Nine
Mile Lake
Size: 150 acres
Scout Fire
Light smoke is expected to impact the Blue
Ridge area in the early morning hours. This fire is being managed
by the Mogollon Rim Ranger District
Behavior: Light. Burning in
the ponderosa pine understory. No torching of trees has been observed.
Start Date: July 21, 2011
Location: Near Forest Road 141H and
Forest Road 320
Size: 50 acres
To learn more about fire and smoke activity
on the Coconino National Forest, visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
or contact your local ranger station.
Mogollon Rim Ranger Station (Blue Ridge):
928-477-2255
Red Rock Ranger Station (Sedona): 928-203-7500
Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-526-0866
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