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Good morning, The Castle Fire has spread across 16,538 acres of the predetermined planning area of 19,632 acres. Details are included in the attached news release. Also attached are two helpful maps. The first shows the current fire perimeter, planning
area and closure. The second shows the Castle Fire’s progression over the last few weeks. For additional information, please call the Castle Fire Information Center at (928) 643-8158 or (928) 643-8152.
Persistence results in additional growth on the Castle Fire FREDONIA, Ariz.,
August 7, 2019 — The Castle Fire continues its gradual spread westward towards Lookout Canyon. Low to moderate fire behavior along almost four miles of the fire's active front has resulted in an additional
1,538 acres. To date, the fire has covered 16,538 acres within the pre-identified planning area of 19,632 acres. This fire's persistence can be attributed to favorable conditions including intermittent spells of dry weather over the western edge of the planning
area, available fuels and the area's unique topography, all being key factors that have contributed to the fire's spread.
Anticipating that this would be considered a long-term event, fire managers allowed this naturally ignited, lightning-caused fire to burn across the landscape
from the time it was detected on July 12th to present. The Castle Fire was different than most by burning at a lower intensity, over an extended period of time to prepare the forest floor for regeneration and renewal.
Firefighters will continue mastication work along the western and southern perimeters to ensure that they are secure enough to hold the fire within the
planning area. The biggest challenge along Forest Road 226, which is also the western perimeter of the planning area, has been the powerline that exists along this corridor. Extensive and advanced preparation along almost ten miles of Forest Road 226 will
ensure that any potential for increased fire behavior has been mitigated. This work, coupled with the fire's positive effects on the land, will result in long lasting improvements, both ecologically and to existing infrastructure.
Today's weather forecast: Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy. Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Light winds with gusts to 16 mph in the
afternoon. Erratic winds near thunderstorms. The fire's origin is located about 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon.
A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/
CASTLE FIRE OVERVIEW
Kaibab National Forest information is available through the following sources:
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Attachment:
1650-1_d3_CastleFire_2019_0807.pdf
Description: 1650-1_d3_CastleFire_2019_0807.pdf
Attachment:
Castle_PIO_8x11_Port_20190807_2238.pdf
Description: Castle_PIO_8x11_Port_20190807_2238.pdf
Attachment:
Castle_Progression_8x11_Land_20190807.pdf
Description: Castle_Progression_8x11_Land_20190807.pdf
