Cat Fire Managers Focus on Preparation
Fredonia, Ariz., Aug. 14, 2018 — For Immediate Release.
Fire managers are implementing a suppression strategy using tactics to minimize the impact on the land.
Incident Commander Trainee Brady Schultz explained, “We want to leave the forest in a healthy state once we are finished,” further explaining that the viewshed, which
is the geographical area visible from the wilderness, is scenically as important as the wilderness itself. In this situation, we do our best to utilize and enhance existing Forest System roads and natural features as containment lines rather than building
new containment lines. We do so to preserve the intrinsic wilderness values. Resources:
Total of 98 personnel including two hotshot crews, nine engines, and two water tenders Overview: Date reported: August 6,
2018 Size: 3,201 acres Strategy: Full suppression
Location:
The Cat Fire is about 25 miles southeast of Jacob Lake in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
Fuel: Mixed conifer, ponderosa
pine, and pinyon-juniper. Weather:
Forecasters anticipate a continuation of scattered thunder showers in the area Situational update:
Monday morning dawned warm and dry, prompting an increase in fire activity early in the day. As crews geared up for an active day on the fire line, thunder storms rolled in, delivering cool temperatures, high humidity, and moisture along the west side of
the fire which quickly calmed fire activity and allowed crews the time they needed to complete preparation along Forest Roads 219 and 310. The fire increased in size by approximately 700 acres since Sunday, primarily downslope toward House Rock Valley.
Closures: Fire management
resources have closed all roads within the planning area boundary, which includes FR 213 and 220 on the north, FR 610 on the east and south, and House Rock Valley Road 8910 on the east.
The following trails are closed: Arizona Trail from FR 213 to FR 610, North Canyon Trail, South Canyon Trail, Saddle Mountain
Trail, and Pt. Imperial and Nankoweap Trails, which are both located on Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park land. The closure will remain in effect until it is considered safe to enter the area. Roads 213, 219, 220 south of 213, 610 (Marbleview,
South Canyon), 611 (East Rim), and 8910 south of 220 are also closed. Smoke: Smoke is visible
on both the North and South Rims of the park, and there is a regional haze present in surrounding communities from multiple wildfires in the West. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public
Health Services District website at: http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit
www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab and Inciweb under the name of the fire at
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov or visit us on Facebook and Twitter @KaibabNF or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.
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Attachment:
1650_d3__Cat Fire Managers Focus on Preparation _2018_0814.pdf
Description: 1650_d3__Cat Fire Managers Focus on Preparation _2018_0814.pdf
