U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
August 15, 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.
Ponderosa Pine forests are fire-dependent ecosystems. Prior to Anglo-European settlement of northern Arizona, large lightning-caused fires crawled across the landscape each summer, creating a mosaic of unburned and low intensity burned areas. Hazy, smoky conditions were typical until summer thunderstorms temporarily dampened the fires and cleared the skies.
Rocky Fire
No management ignitions were done over the weekend to manage smoke impacts. This fire didn’t receive rain over the weekend. Weather conditions are favorable for additional ignitions planned tomorrow and Wednesday with potential to grow the fire by about 2,000 acres. Smoke is visible from I-17, Forest Highway 3/Lake Mary Road, 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 and understory.
Start Date: July 18, 2011
Resources: 4 Engines, 8-person fuels crew and additional firefighters; 30 total. Managed by Red Rock Ranger District.
Location: 2 miles southeast of Stoneman Lake near Rocky Gulch.
Size: 2500 acres. Anticipate growth up to 6600 acres, over the next week.
Sandrock and Zeus Fires
This area received rain over the weekend which slowed activity. Additional ignitions are planned this week along Hwy 87 and the southern edge of the fire adjacent to the upper reaches of West Clear Creek Wilderness Area. 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: 3 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: 3900 acres. Anticipate growth up to 14,000 acres over the next 1-2 weeks.
Scout Fire
Fire activity has diminished.
Scout Fire Facts
Behavior: Minimal activity.
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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