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U.S. Forest Service
News Release
Contact: Brady Smith
Camillo and Horse Tank fires update:
Flagstaff, Ariz., June 24, 2015, For Immediate Release —
Evening thunderstorms unexpectedly altered the direction of smoke from the Camillo and Horse Tank fires, which was flowing toward the northeast and reversed flow toward the west/southwest. This led
to smoke impacts in Verde Valley, Sedona, and communities west and southwest of the fires. Smoke that was pushed west/southwest of the fires will move through communities today such as Flagstaff as wind returns to blowing toward the east/northeast direction
today. The Horse Tank fire completed ignitions yesterday, burning 671 acres which produced a fair amount of smoke during the day. Ignitions will not continue on
the Horse Tank fire, as objectives have been met. Future smoke impacts will lessen, remain near the smoldering fire and eventually disappear with the completion of ignitions. The Camillo fire burned 4,136 acres yesterday consuming interior pockets of fuel and backing down steep slopes. Aerial ignitions were used to light on top
of ridgelines and cinder cones. CAMILLO FIRE OVERVIEW Current Size: 16,845 acres
Operations Today:
Crews continue to monitor the northeastern boundary of the fire management area near the KV power lines. Preparation along the power lines for future ignitions is still occurring. Fire personnel continue
to bring low severity fire along the power lines towards the south. The main focus today will be on cleaning up interior pockets of unburned fuels and solidifying the eastern perimeter along FR 82. Smoke:
The majority of smoke will disperse to the northeast. Evening thunderstorms yesterday created a shift in wind direction pushing smoke into the Mormon Lake area, Sedona and Flagstaff. Smoke will lift
and drift out of the area as winds return to the normal southwest to northeast flow today. Smoke will be the densest in early morning and late in the evening, and motorists are urged to drive with caution. Closures: As of today, the southern boundary of the closure area has been extended to FR 135, which is
closed to the public. Residents of the Mahan Park subdivision who regularly use FR 135 from Lake Mary Road may use the alternate route of FR 294 off Lake Mary Road and the section of FR 135 that accesses their subdivision. Other closures include lands, roads,
and trails in the vicinity of Little Mormon Mountain. This includes Forest Roads 92, 124, and a portion of 82. The area on the south side of FR 125 will be closed, but lands north of the road as well as FR 125 itself will remain open with access to Kinnikinick
Lake. The Gooseberry Springs Trailhead and a portion of the Arizona Trail are also closed. See the
full closure order and map on Inciweb. Delays are possible along FR 125 and Lake Mary Road because of fire personnel, smoke and equipment in the area. HORSE TANK FIRE OVERVIEW Location: Six miles north of Strawberry, south of Highway 260 near the junction with Hwy 87 Current Size:
3,603 acres Operations Today:
Firefighters continue to monitor the interior of the fire, conduct mop-up and clear dead trees along FR 609 and other areas. Crews are being demobilized as this fire lessens and objectives have been
met. Smoke: Visible from Highways 260 and 87, I-17, Payson, Pine, Strawberry, Blue Ridge and the Verde Valley.
Smoke impacts will remain local near the fire itself and greatly lessen over the next couple of days since no additional ignitions are planned. Closures: Forest Roads 9366R, 9384A, 9381, 609, a portion of 9361A, 9367R, 608, 607,
and 607A are closed to all entry. Find online information on Inciweb at
inciweb.nwcg.gov. Follow the forest on Twitter at
www.twitter.com/coconinonf (@CoconinoNF). Photos will be available on the forest Flickr site at
www.flickr.com/coconinonationalforest. The public can also call the Coconino National Forest at 928-527-3600 during regular business hours. ###
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Attachment:
COC-NR-6-24-15-LightningCausedFires.docx
Description: COC-NR-6-24-15-LightningCausedFires.docx
