U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
August 24, 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 return to the ecosystem to improve forest health.
Rocky Fire
No additional ignitions are planned, but minor burning interior will continue with minimal smoke.
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
Resources: Fire crews are monitoring. Managed by Red Rock Ranger District.
Location: 2 miles southeast of Stoneman Lake near Rocky Gulch.
Size: 5000 acres. Little additional growth anticipated.
Sand Rock Fire
Moisture received over the last week resulted in minimal fire activity. If a drying trend occurs, fire managers will re-access and may continue management ignitions. Several Forest Roads within the fire perimeter remain closed for public access, as well as closed to camping. Smoke is noticeable along Highways 260 and 87, especially at night and early morning.
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
Resources: 1 Engine, plus additional firefighters; about 10 total. Managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Location: Near junction of Highways 260 and 87.
Size: 3600 acres. Possible growth up to 14,000 acres.
Fly Fire
New unplanned wildfire managed for multiple resource benefit.
Behavior: Low intensity.
Start date: August 19
Resources: Managed by Flagstaff Ranger District.
Location: 1 mile north of Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument.
Size: 1 acre. This fire is currently being assessed to determine appropriate management and potential growth.
Scout Fire
Contained.
Start Date: July 21
Resources: Managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Location: 6 miles south of Clints Well, near Forest Road 141H and Forest Road 320.
Size: 810 acres.
Several additional recent lightning-ignited wildfires display minimal activity and are being monitored:
Diablo Fire, 19 miles north of Clints Well, in pinyon-juniper near Long Lake. 20 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.
Kehl – Near Kehl Ridge. 8 acres.
Five more lightning-caused fires are confined and monitored, all less than 2 acres in size.
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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