Daily update for wildfires on Coconino NF
Flagstaff, Ariz., June 2, 2016, For Immediate Release — Fire managers with the Coconino
National Forest continue to utilize lightning-caused wildfires to reduce forest fuels, while actively protecting values in the area such as power lines, communities, archaeological sites and sensitive habitats.
The current weather system has winds from a more northerly direction than usual. This change in wind is driving smoke to the lower areas in Arizona. As the high pressure
system increases, it is forecasted the predominant winds will return this weekend pushing the smoke east and northeast.
Information and
details about the wildfires, including their specific objectives, will be updated on Inciweb at
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/303/.
Quick updates will also be provided via the Coconino NF Twitter site at www.twitter.com/coconinonf
(@CoconinoNF), and the public can report smoke impacts online at http://tinyurl.com/cof-smokerpt.
JACK FIRE OVERVIEW
Start Date: May 29, 2016
Cause: Lightning.
Location: About 14 miles north of Clints Well on the east side
of Lake Mary Road, along Forest Roads 294 and 294C.
Current Size: Approximately 648 acres.
Resources:
2-Type 2 Crews (Coconino Fuels), 6-Type 6 engines, 1-Dozer, and various firefighting individuals, totaling 90 personnel.
Smoke:
Smoke will be visible from Lake Mary Road as well as the communities of Clints Well, Happy Jack, Payson, Pine, Strawberry and the Verde Valley. Smoke will
disperse during the day to the south directly on the fire and then winds aloft will continue to move the smoke south today at 10 – 15 mph.
At night, light smoke from the fire is expected to settle into low areas and nearby canyons, Blue Ridge neighborhoods and the Clear Creek communities.
Closures: None at this time. Motorists in the area of the fire
are encouraged to slow down, as firefighters and equipment will be working in the area.
Recent & Current Operations: Burnout operations and other suppression
tactics were successfully used to protect WAPA powerlines last night. Crews will continue to prepare roads and the powerline today as well as burnout as conditions allow. These firing operations are to protect important sensitive wildlife, culture significant
sights and other values which may be at risk such as the powerlines, surrounding communities and private property in the area.
MORMON FIRE OVERVIEW
Start Date: May 15, 2016.
Cause: Lightning.
Location: Six miles east of Munds Park near Mormon Mountain.
Current Size: Approximately 6,362 acres.
Resources: 1-Type 3 Helicopter, 2-Type 1 crews (Plumas and Sacramento),
1-Type 2 crew (Coconino Fuels), 1-Type 3 engine, 3-Type 6 engines, 1-dozer, and 30 other personnel. Total personnel is approximately 120.
Smoke: Burnout operations are planned for midmorning today.
Smoke may settle in drainages and valleys at night, including Mormon Lake, Munds Park and Sedona. Smoke will disperse during the day to the south directly on the fire and then winds aloft will continue to move the smoke south today at
10 – 15 mph. Smoke was heavy in Munds Park and Sedona this morning. Smoke impacts along the Lake Mary Road and Mormon Lake recreation corridor will be possible.
This week the wind shift from the north reversed the smoke direction, which impacted Munds Park and Sedona.
Closures: The closure area for the Mormon Fire is between Mormon
Lake and Munds Park, and was expanded today to include the Forest Roads
700 and FR 133 roads to the southwest, it now extends all the way to the entire western edge of Munds Park. To view the Closure Order and map of the fire closure area, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/hu7c99f.
Drivers in the area are strongly advised to use caution as fire fighters are on foot and several vehicles are operating in the burn area.
Recent & Current Operations: Firing operations by helicopter
and firefighters with drip torches will occur again today. Helicopter and hand operations will be used to strengthen the fire lines along the 700 road. Greater firefighter and support personnel activity will occur on the 133, 240 and 700 roads over the next
few days in the Casner Park, Horse Park, Little Horse Park, and Bert Lee Park areas. With
very good ventilation winds forecasted smaller growth and less smoke impacts are expected on the fire today compared to yesterday. The burnout operations
will help protect important values on the west, north and northeast portions of the fire, including the community of Munds Park, the Mormon Mountain communication towers, sensitive wildlife and watersheds in the area.
PIVOT ROCK FIRE OVERVIEW
Start Date: May 19, 2016.
Cause: Lightning.
Location: About three miles northeast of the junction of State
Routes 260 and 87; eight miles northeast of Strawberry.
Current Size: Approximately 5,070 acres.
Resources: 2-Type 3 engines, 2-Type 6 engines, 1-Water Tender,
and various firefighting individuals, totaling 45 personnel.
Smoke: Smoke will be visible from SR 260 and 87 as well as the
communities of Payson, Pine, Strawberry, the Verde Valley and Happy Jack. This week, wind shift reversed the smoke direction, which impacted the Verde Valley, Cornville and Cottonwood. Smoke will disperse during the day to the south directly on the fire and
then winds aloft will continue to move the smoke south today at 10 – 15 mph.
This morning, smoke is dispersing throughout the I-17 corridor, Munds Park, and Sedona areas. At night, light smoke from the Pivot Rock Fire is expected to settle into low areas and nearby canyons, including the I-17 corridor, Munds
Park, and Sedona, Toms Creek, Clover Canyon, Pivot Rock Canyon and into West Clear Creek.
Closures: The closure area for this fire is north of the intersections
of SR 260 and 87 and can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/hl978x5.
The closure boundary will be expanded from FR 149 to 144, west of SR 260, south to SR 87, and north to FR 149 to cover planned operations. Motorists in the area of the fire are encouraged to slow down, as firefighters and equipment will be working in the
area.
Recent & Current Operations: All significant burnout operations
were completed yesterday. Pockets of fuel will burn internally for a period of time, but no large growth of the perimeter is expected further at this time. These firing operations were to protect important sensitive wildlife, culture significant sights and
other values which may be at risk.
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George F. Jozens
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
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Forest Service
Coconino National Forest, Supervisors Office
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p: 928-527-3412
gjozens@xxxxxxxxx
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1924 S. Thompson St
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
www.fs.fed.us
  
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Caring for the land and serving people
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