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NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest For Immediate Release July 21, 2014
Media Contact:
Brienne Magee, 928-527-8290 or 928-310-6035 UPDATE 4 (next update will be Monday evening)
Smoke from Willard Fire to diminish, Bar M Fire to increase Flagstaff, Ariz. – Crews on the Willard Fire worked overnight to finish major burnout operations and solidify perimeters. The fire
will no longer grow in size and will smoke begin diminishing. The public should expect to see some moderate behavior as the fire runs its natural course within the interior. “Instead of prolonging the number of days the Willard Fire produced heavy smoke, we worked through the night to burn a large area around the perimeter and stop the fire’s forward progress,”
says Incident Commander Rigo Flores. Completing this effort in a few days will ultimately minimize the overall amount of time smoke impacts the community. “Last night’s smoke was the heaviest. It moved into Sedona as well as the Camp Verde area, but we can
expect it to greatly decrease over the next few days.” Beginning today, fire managers anticipate activity increasing on the Bar M fire southwest of Mormon Lake and plan to begin larger-scale burnout operations throughout the burn area to help maintain
fire behavior and solidify perimeters. Smoke will increase in the vicinity. Most will disperse to the east and northeast with some settling around Mormon Lake Village overnight.
Fire managers on the Mogollon Ranger District plan to complete ignition operations on the General and Pothole Fires by mid-week, which should also result in decreased smoke by the weekend.
Willard Fire Size: 1800 acres Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
A contingent of fire crews and equipment will remain on scene to monitor fire activity.
The immediate area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Bar M Fire Size: Approximately 300 acres. Fire managers anticipate significant growth and smoke production today. Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected).
Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
Smoke is noticeable from Lake Mary Road, and Mormon Lake Village.
The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Pothole Fire Size: 1,300 acres. No additional growth expected, forward progress has been stopped
Location: 22 miles north of Payson Behavior: 1-2 foot flames moving across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected. Fire managers are conducting burnout operations to reinforce perimeters.
Forest Road 142F,
as well as the Tramway and Maxwell Trails leading into the West Clear Creek Wilderness are temporarily closed for public safety.
General Fire Size: 800 acres Location: 15 miles northeast of Payson, off Forest Roads 300 and 95, south of FR 719. Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths Smoke: Subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community should anticipate an increase in smoke; it is expected to settle in the area overnight. The immediate fire area is closed for public safety. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the Arizona Trail are temporarily rerouted.
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