U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
August 18, 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.
During fire activity, air quality is monitored via several methods, including visual observations from lookout towers as well as Arizona Department of Environmental Quality particulate monitors located in Flagstaff, Sedona and Camp Verde. http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx
Rocky Fire
No additional ignitions were done yesterday due to east winds which could push smoke toward Sedona. Today crews planned to ignite 200 acres of unburned fuels within the interior. No ignitions are planned for Friday and through the weekend. Smoke should diminish considerably after today. The management ignitions in the Jones Mountain and Rocky Gulch areas were very successful in reduction of ground fuels, providing an excellent fire break for some of the surrounding communities. Smoke is visible from I-17, Forest Highway 3/Lake Mary Road, Sedona 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: 2 Engines, and additional firefighters; 15 total. Managed by Red Rock Ranger District.
Location: 2 miles southeast of Stoneman Lake near Rocky Gulch.
Size: 3700 acres. Possible growth up to 6600 acres.
Sand Rock Fire
Moisture received over the last several days resulted in minimal fire activity. If a drying trend occurs, fire managers will re-access and may continue management ignitions. Forest roads 9366R and 9385 in the fire area have been re-opened for public access, although camping is not permitted. Other roads within the perimeter of the fire will remain closed to entry. Smoke is noticeable along Highways 260 and 87, especially at night and early morning.
Sand Rock Fire Facts
Roads Closed: Camping is discouraged and forest roads are closed in the immediate fire area, including 604, 609, 616 from FR 149 out of Pivot Rock Canyon, 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: 1 Engine, plus additional firefighters; about 10 total. Managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Location: Near junction of Highways 260 and 87.
Size: 3500 acres. (changed from previous update due to more accurate mapping.) Possible 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: 810 acres; little additional growth anticipated.
Three additional recent lightning-ignited wildfires display minimal activity and are monitored:
Diablo Fire, 19 miles north of Clints Well, in pinyon-juniper near Long Lake. 18 acres.
International Fire, 11 miles southeast of Clints Well near McClintock Ridge along Mogollon Rim. This fire is surrounded by previous prescribed fires. 60 acres.
Strawberry Fire, 6 miles north of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. 30 acres.
Bolt Fire
The Bolt Fire is inactive.
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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