U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
August 12, 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.
All ignitions this week on Sandrock, Scout and Rocky Fires were coordinated to reduce smoke impacts to the Verde Valley.
Rocky Fire
Planned ignitions around Jones Mountain have been completed and fire activity has moved into Rocky Gulch. Since this is an area which has not experienced fire for a long time and fuel loading is heavy, the goal is to minimize fire severity. Smoke is visible from I-17, Forest Highway 3, and Camp Verde.
Rocky Fire Facts
Fire Closure: The immediate Rocky Fire area southeast of Stoneman Lake is temporarily closed for 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; 30 total. Managed by Red Rock Ranger District.
Location: 2 miles southeast of Stoneman Lake near Rocky Gulch.
Size: 1700 acres. Anticipate growth up to 5000 acres, over the next 1-2 weeks.
Sandrock and Zeus Fires
Yesterday crews completed ignitions along a 3-mile corrider on Highway 260. To minimize smoke impacts, no ignitions occurred today nor are planned this weekend. Smoke is noticeable along Highways 260 and 87, especially at night and early morning. Drivers should slow down and take extra caution if driving in that area. Smoke is flowing down Pine Canyon and Calf Pen Canyon and is visible in Pine, Strawberry, and Fossil Creek.
Sandrock and Zeus Fire Facts
Roads Closed: Camping is discouraged and forest roads are closed in the immediate fire area, including 9366R, 604, 609, 616 from FR 149 out of Pivot Rock Canyon, 9385, 9387G, 9384A, 9386F, 9381, 6304 and FR149 from Hwy 87 to FR144.
Behavior: Low intensity in ponderosa pine, oak, juniper and some fir 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: 2500 acres. Anticipate growth up to 16,000 acres over the next 2-3 weeks.
Scout Fire
Fire activity has diminished. Minimal smoke is visible from Payson and Pine.
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, 19 miles north of Clints Well, in pinyon-juniper near Long Lake. 15 acres.
International Fire, 11 miles southeast of Clints Well near McClintock Ridge along Mogollon Rim. This fire is surrounded by previous prescribed fires. 25 acres.
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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