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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 5 (next update will be Tuesday morning)
Lightning-caused fires continue to benefit the landscape Flagstaff, Ariz. – Fire managers continued burnout operations on all four fires today, solidifying perimeters on of the Bar M and
General Fires, and moving fire across the landscape within the interiors of the Pothole and Willard Fires. Burnouts are a tactic used by crews to manage where and how the fire progresses, and by doing so in earnest over a shorter amount of time crews reduce
the overall duration of heavy smoke – days of heavier smoke instead of weeks of moderate smoke.
Over the next week, the public can anticipate similar fire activity and smoke from the General and Pothole Fires until mid-week; smoke from the Willard Fire to continue to decreasing; and fire
activity and smoke to increase on the Bar M Fire. The forecast currently calls for a slight chance of moisture this weekend.
Willard Fire Size: Approximately 1800 acres – no growth. Fire crews and equipment remain on scene to monitor fire activity.
Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
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 500 acres.
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.
The public should expect an increase of smoke tonight in the Mormon Lake area.
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 growth 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 is burning within the perimeters crews solidified over the last several
days. 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. 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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