FREDONIA — Lightning activity on the North Kaibab Ranger District over the weekend resulted in several small fires, one of which is the Jolly Fire.

The Jolly Fire is located approximately 3 miles south of Jacob Lake. The planning area is bound by Arizona Highway 67 on the west, Forest Service Road (FSR) 200 on the east and FSR 634 on the north. The fire is currently less than 1 acre. Fire managers plan to keep the Jolly Fire within predetermined boundaries, and if the fire grows to the maximum boundary area it will reach about 1,514 acres in size. Smoke may be visible from Arizona Highway 67 and Highway 89A.

On Monday, fire managers met to discuss the likelihood of managing the fire to allow the fire to function in its natural ecological role within defined boundaries and reduce Ponderosa pine, aspen, and pine litter fuels within the planned management area.

Benefits of the burn include restoration of a fire-adapted ecosystem, reduction of accumulated fuels on the forest floor, recycling of nutrients into the soil, protection of the greater area from future high-intensity wildland fires.

Currently, the fire is a slow-moving ground fire, and fire managers are considering managing the fire for resource benefits as weather and conditions allow. No road or trail closures are in effect, but hazard signs are posted and motorist should exercise caution.