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U.S. Forest Service
News Release
Media Contact: Bob Blasi
Moisture continues over Sunflower and Ike fires moderating growth Williams, Ariz., July 29, 2016—For Immediate Release.
Light rains continue to fall over the Sunflower and Ike fires intermittently throughout the day limiting both fires to modest growth. The Sunflower Fire is currently 56 acres in size and has grown approximately 30 acres over the last three days. The Ike fire
is still under 1 acre but continues to smolder and creep in the pine needles and surface litter. As expected fire intensities continue to fluctuate as weather determines the level of activity which available fuels will consume. Much of the area burning is partially sheltered by the canopies of the taller trees shielding surface fuels
from direct contact with moisture. This allows fire to remain established on the ground below which can hold heat for several days. During periods of showers, higher relative humidity will slow the rate of spread considerably but fire behavior can change quickly
and move gradually in just a matter of hours as conditions become warmer and dryer.
Preparing for the anticipated movement of the fire greatly increases the probability of success for attaining incident objectives. Prior to the fire reaching identified points on the landscape, crews take actions to remove fuels and construct
control lines where needed. They may also ignite fuels around these features creating a safe burned barrier designed to reinforce holding lines and enhance the protection of sensitive sites.
Smoke production has been very light with no reported impacts to date. However as fire activity increases coupled with potential ignition operations surrounding communities may be effected. These include Williams, Parks, Bellemont, Sherwood
Forest, Pittman Valley, Chino Valley, Paulden, Prescott, Camp Verde, Flagstaff and Sedona. Fire managers are following smoke dispersal patterns closely and will make every effort to minimize negative impacts to rural areas. A Forest Area Closure Order (#07-16-09-F) remains in effect in the vicinity of the fires that include the following areas:
North of Forest Roads (FR) 110 and 109, East of FR 747 and Big Spring Wash, then South of FR 139 and West of FR 109. Additional fire information for the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4884/
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4885/ ; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.
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Attachment:
1650_Sunflower_ Ike_ Wildfires_2016_07-29-16.pdf
Description: 1650_Sunflower_ Ike_ Wildfires_2016_07-29-16.pdf
