SOUTHWESTERN-NEWS-RELEASE: Kaibab National Forest Information

["Banks, Jacqueline C -FS" <000001aecffecb35-dmarc-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Castle Fire's acreage continues to hold at 16,538. For additional information, contact the Castle Fire Information Center at (928) 643-8158 or (928) 643-8152.

 

Jacqueline Banks Public Affairs Officer Forest Service Kaibab National Forest p: 928-635-8314 jacqueline.banks@xxxxxxxx 800 S. 6th Street Williams, AZ 86046 www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab Caring for the land and serving people

 

Castle Fire firefighting organization scales back

 

FREDONIA, Ariz., August 9, 2019 — The Castle Fire's acreage continues to hold at 16,538 for the third day in a row. Precipitation and increased humidity have affected fire behavior causing a temporary stall in the fire's growth.  With warm, dry days in the forecast, the fire may regain momentum and continue its path through remaining unburned fuels in the area of Lookout Canyon.

 

Over the past 28 days, since the fire started on July 12th, the number and type of firefighting resources assigned to the Type 3 Incident Management organization have increased or lessened, based on the level of fire activity. The transitions have been fluid and right-sized to meet daily and ultimately, the overall objectives of the Castle Fire.

 

The objectives are clearly stated in the daily Incident Action Plan that outlines the specific goals for each day's work. Objectives for the Castle Fire are: 

 

• Utilize deliberate risk management process to ensure that incident responders are only committed where, and when they can be successful, with the least exposure necessary.
• Allow fire to function as a natural disturbance process within the ecosystem to reduce accumulations of forest fuels that may exist in the area.
• Limit fire intensity to prevent adverse impacts to cultural and natural resources.
• Hold fire within the planning area.

 

With no new growth over the past few days, firefighters remain focused on fire-related work within the 19,632-acre planning area. The work includes mastication in Lookout Canyon, firing operations,  aerial ignitions and pile burning of interior unburned fuels, fence and suppression repair, and clean up.

 

The Castle Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.

 

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area:   https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/

 

CASTLE FIRE OVERVIEW

• Discovery Date: July 12, 2019.
• Cause: Lightning.
• Location (point of origin): Approximately 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
• Current Resources: One crew, four engines, a helicopter, a dozer, four masticators, two feller bunchers, one skidder, and miscellaneous fire management personnel. Total personnel: approximately 96.  
• Current Size: About 16,538 acres and it has spread across about 84% of the 19,632-acre planning area.
• Predicted Smoke Impacts: Smoke is expected to be visible from both the north and south rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Jacob Lake, Highway 67, Highway 89A, and Fredonia. 
• Current Closures: Kaibab National Forest managers have implemented a temporary Closure Order for the Castle Fire area in order to provide for public and firefighter safety.  For specific information about the Closure Order, please visit:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/
• Recent and Current Operations: Wildland fire crews plan to continue improving roads and other designated perimeters within which the fire can move. Current weather conditions may influence the use of firing operations which may be conducted as needed in order to strengthen control lines. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. 

Kaibab National Forest information is available through the following sources:

 

• Castle Fire Inciweb Page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/
• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Flickr: http://bit.ly/CastleFire2019   

 

 

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