U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
August 10, 2011
Coconino NF Wildfire Update
Flagstaff, AZ – Several lightning-caused wildfires on the Coconino National Forest continue to be managed for natural resource objectives. These objectives allow fire to play its natural role as custodian of the forest, reducing accumulated fuel, recycling nutrients and improving wildlife habitat.
Rocky Fire
Planned ignitions of 200-300 acres per day continue through this week around Jones Mountain. Since this area has not experienced fire for a long time, fuel loading is heavy, resulting in heavier smoke. Smoke is visible from I-17, Forest Highway 3, and Verde Valley.
Rocky Fire Facts
Fire Closure: Effective August 11, the immediate Rocky Fire area southeast of Stoneman Lake is temporarily closed to provide public safety. The closure area is bounded by Forest Roads 230 and 230E on the south and east, 229 and 9240K on the west, and Stoneman Lake Road/FR 213 on the north. These roads remain open, however all forest roads, trails and camping within the closure area are closed to public access.
Behavior: Low intensity in ponderosa pine understory.
Start Date: July 18, 2011
Resources: 4 Engines, 8-person fuels crews and additional firefighters; 35 total. Managed by Red Rock Ranger District.
Location: 2 miles south of Stoneman Lake near Rocky Gulch.
Size: 1100 acres. Anticipate growth up to 5000 acres, over the next 1-2 weeks.
Sandrock and Zeus Fires
Fire crews ignited a two-mile strip along west side of Highway 260, with intent to burn along the highways this week so smoke impacts will diminish by the weekend. Smoke will impact Highways 260 and 87, especially at night and early morning. The Forest Service is coordinating with Arizona Department of Public Safety to assure safe driving conditions, but drivers should slow down and take extra caution if driving in that area. Drivers may encounter traffic delays due to fire operations and clearing trees along the highways. Smoke is flowing down Pine Canyon and Calf Pen Canyon and is visible in Pine, Strawberry, and Fossil Creek.
Sandrock and Zeus Fire Facts
Behavior: Low intensity in ponderosa pine understory.
Start Date: July 21 and 28, 2011
Resources: 4 Engines, 1 Hotshot Crew plus additional firefighters; about 45 total. Managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Location: Near junction of Highways 260 and 87.
Size: 850 acres. Anticipate growth up to 16,000 acres over the next 2-3 weeks.
Scout Fire
Fire activity has diminished. Smoke is visible from Payson and Pine. Smoke drifting into Blue Ridge area and through East Clear Creek Canyon late evening and early morning.
Scout Fire Facts
Behavior: Low intensity, in ponderosa pine understory.
Start Date: July 21, 2011
Resources: Crews are monitoring this fire. Managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Location: 6 miles south of Clints Well, near Forest Road 141H and Forest Road 320
Size: 775 acres; little additional growth anticipated.
Two additional small lightning-ignited wildfires are being monitored:
Diablo Fire, in pinyon-juniper near Long Lake.
International Fire, near McClintock Ridge along Mogollon Rim. This fire is boxed-in by previous prescribed fires.
Bolt Fire
The Bolt Fire is inactive. Crews continue to monitor.
Bolt Fire Facts
Behavior: Little activity.
Start Date: July 11, 2011
Location: Approximately 6 miles northeast of Munds Park, off Forest Road 132A
Size: 1,780 acres; no further growth anticipated.
Fire managers recognize the need to minimize smoke impacts to the communities as much as possible and use several tactics to do so while managing these wildfires including slowing fire growth and intensity when ventilation conditions aren’t as favorable, and conducting firing operations earlier in the day to allow smoke to disperse before nightfall.
Fire information and fire area maps are posted at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino. Follow the Coconino National Forest on twitter for fire updates at http://twitter.com/#!/CoconinoNF
or contact your local ranger station:
Mogollon Rim Ranger Station (Blue Ridge): 928-477-2255
Red Rock Ranger Station (Sedona): 928-203-7500 (open on weekends.)
Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-526-0866.
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Karen Malis-Clark
Public Affairs, Conservation Education
Coconino National Forest
1824 S. Thompson St.
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-2529
Phone 928-527-3492 Fax 928-527-3620
email kmclark@xxxxxxxxx
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