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More lightning fires on Coconino National Forest FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2018, For Immediate Release –
Fire managers with the Coconino National Forest continue monitoring and utilizing several lightning-caused fires to benefit the landscape and maintain a healthy ecosystem
by allowing fire to fulfill its natural role and consume forest debris. Information and details about the Surveyor, Seep, Bristow, Platypus, Rhinoceros and Deer Fires, including their objectives, will be
updated on Inciweb under the name of the fire at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/. Quick updates will also be provided via the Forest’s social media sites, to include Twitter at
www.twitter.com/coconinonf (@CoconinoNF) and Facebook at
www.facebook.com/CoconinoNF (@CoconinoNF). These fires, as with any wildfire, do not have planned end dates, but firefighters determine a specific planning area within which the
fire may run its natural course. However, this does not mean the fire will move across the entire planning area, as specific edges of a fire may be suppressed to protect certain values such as public safety, private property, cultural sites, major transmission
power lines, trailheads, dispersed camping sites, and more. Thunderstorms building in the area of the fires may randomly change wind directions making smoke patterns very difficult to predict.
Additionally, monsoon weather and precipitation may extinguish any of these wildfires at any time, which would bring the fire to a conclusion. 1. BRISTOW FIRE OVERVIEW (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6010/)
Discovery date: July
20, 2018. Cause: Lightning. Location: Approximately
6 miles southeast of Munds Park and east of Interstate 17. (Lat/Long:
34.863611, -111.598500) Current size: 1,500
acres and expected to grow 1,000 more acres Wednesday. Current resources: Four
engines and miscellaneous overhead totaling 26 firefighters.
Predicted smoke Impacts:
The Bristow Fire is starting ignitions Wednesday and smoke will increase within its planned containment lines. Smoke is expected to be moderate with good ventilation headed northeast towards
Mormon Lake. Settling smoke this evening is expected to be in Woods Canyon, with impacts possible along I-17 near Munds Park. Both Arizona Department of Transportation and Coconino National Forest continue to monitor conditions near Rocky Park and Fox Ranch
Road exits. In addition, there are chances of smoke changing directions without notice as thunderstorms in the area are predicted. These storms could change the direction of the smoke moving it into Sedona and the Verde Valley. Current closures: None. Recent and current operations: Crews continue ignitions to burnout interior
fuels and containment lines on Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 1 and 2) as weather allows. It is estimated to expand by 1,000 acres Wednesday. 2. PLATYPUS and RHINOCEROS FIRES OVERVIEW (within the same wilderness)
Discovery date: July
28, 2018. Cause: Lightning. Location: Approximately
4 miles and 6 miles northwest of Sedona in Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness more than 6 miles from the nearest trailhead. (Lat/Long:
34.94291, -111.8701 &
34.970900, -111.859100) Current size: The Platypus
Fire is approximately 38 acres and the Rhinoceros Fire is approximately 5 acres. Fire modeling indicates the fires are unlikely to grow large in size or pose a significant risk to communities or natural resources. Resources: Lookouts
and aircraft periodically monitor the fire as it’s needed because of the inaccessible to firefighters over the steep and rocky terrain. Predicted smoke impacts:
Smoke is visible from Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona and the Verde Valley. The Enchantment Resort, Boyton Canyon and Seven Canyons areas of Sedona can expect localized smoke, especially in the early morning hours. Current closures: Trails
in the area are being evaluated for public safety and closures Wednesday. Recent and current operations:
These fires are being monitored by fire managers because of their location in extremely rugged areas of the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness at the edge of sheer cliffs. Any firefighter working in the area would be placed at significant risk, particularly
if an injury required rapid transportation for medical care. Any suppression actions will only be taken if the fire spreads into areas of concern. 3. SURVEYOR FIRE OVERVIEW (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6070/)
Discovery date: July
28, 2018 Cause: Lightning. Location: Approximately
3.5 miles south of Oak Creek Canyon Vista, south of Flagstaff east of state Route 89A. (Lat/Long:
34.979611, -111.740389) Current size: 7 acres
and expected to increase. Current resources: Approximately
30 firefighters are assigned which includes overhead. Predicted smoke impacts:
Light to moderate smoke is moving east and may increase if burnout operations are used. Expect smoke to be near Interstate 17 near the Willard Springs Rd exit. Smoke also may settle in Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona, especially in the overnight hours. Current closures: None. Recent and current operations: The fire was contained
Saturday and spread outside the fire line Tuesday afternoon. The fire is burning in heavy forest debris. Firefighters are using ground crews to make fire containment lines across the top of Surveyor Canyon and using ignitions to the existing road systems for
a containment area. 4. SEEP FIRE OVERVIEW (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6011/)
Discovery date: July
17, 2018 Cause: Lightning. Location: Approximately
3 miles north of Kendrick Park, east of state Route 180 along Forest Roads 523 and 9001E. (Lat/Long:
35.463500, -111.752889) Current size: 4,000
acres and expected to burnout interior pockets of fuels today. Current resources: One
engine, one patrol and overhead are assigned for a total of approximately 9 firefighters. Predicted smoke impacts:
Light and scattered smoke is expected to rise and move northeast. No smoke impacts are expected to U.S. Highways 180 or 89 on Wednesday. Current closures: None. Recent and current operations: Fire activity is light
as firefighters are using fewer ignitions. The fire is burning primarily in grass and juniper vegetation with heavy dead and down debris from the 1996 Horseshoe Fire. Firefighters are using some ignitions within the 5,000-acre management area. 5. DEER FIRE OVERVIEW (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6012/)
Discovery date: July
13, 2018. Cause: Lightning. Location: Approximately
8 miles southwest of C.C. Cragin Reservoir and 3 miles northeast of Kehl Springs Campground. (Lat/Long:
34.471194, -111.290111) Current size: 800 acres.
Once the planning area dries out, this wildfire is expected to increase up to 1,800 acres before consuming its fuels. Resources: One engine
and overhead personnel are continuing to monitor this fire until ignition operations can resume. Predicted smoke impacts:
Smoke impacts from this wildfire may include C.C. Cragin Reservoir, Blue Ridge communities and the Blue Ridge Ranger Station. Overnight drainage of the smoke may impact the Strawberry, Pine and Verde Valley areas. Current closures: None.
Recent and current operations:
The Deer Fire is being patrolled and monitored by firefighters. Ignitions may resume to clean up some unburned areas later in the week if there is drying in the area. ###
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