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Attached is today’s update on the Castle Fire. Also attached is a map that shows the current fire perimeter, the planning area for the wildfire, and the closure that is in effect for the area. To view a more detailed closure area map, please
visit http://bit.ly/CastleClosureMap. For additional information, please contact the Castle Fire Information Center at (928) 643-8152 or (928) 643-8158.
Castle Fire grows to 3,600 acres within defined planning area FREDONIA, Ariz.,
July 28, 2019 — Fire behavior increased on the Castle Fire yesterday, resulting in a smoke column that could be seen from communities in the surrounding area. The consumption of fuels was optimal during
the peak burning period, which is normally mid-day to late afternoon. A combination of hot, dry weather, fuel availability and steep topography contributed to the fire's growth of more than 1,800 acres, bringing the total
to 3,600 acres. As the fire backed into steep canyon bottoms, it encountered heavy pockets of fuel, resulting in increased fire behavior. The helicopter used aerial ignitions to strategically ignite fuels, working in tandem with ground forces to lower the
fire intensity. Castle Fire has not received any precipitation and the forecast calls for hotter and drier weather over the next few days. These conditions are favorable
as the fire continues to meet restoration objectives by consuming dead and decaying plant material.
Fire managers have identified the 19,632-acre planning area where the Castle Fire can bring positive restorative benefits to the area. Low intensity wildfire
can be advantageous by providing an efficient and safe way to remove the dead and decaying plant material that could act as fuel for future forest fires.
When the lightning-caused Castle Fire was first discovered on July 12th, it was located is about 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway
67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon. It is now spreading north and west within the boundaries of the planning area.
A temporary Closure Order is in effect for the Castle Fire area:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/ The Castle Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.
CASTLE FIRE OVERVIEW
Kaibab National Forest information is available through the following sources:
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Attachment:
1650-1_d3_CastleFire_2019_0728.pdf
Description: 1650-1_d3_CastleFire_2019_0728.pdf
Attachment:
PIO_8x11_Port_20190727_1926-sm.pdf
Description: PIO_8x11_Port_20190727_1926-sm.pdf
