WILLIAMS — As expected, the Bert Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest reached its largest day of growth yesterday with just over 700 acres of fire spread bringing the total burned area to 5445 acres.

The Bert Fire is located ten-miles southeast of Valle on highway 180 near Ebert Mountain.

The Northern Arizona Type 3 incident management team assumed management on Tuesday morning after a predicted increase in fire activity. Crews were ready for the change in fire behavior as near record high temperatures combined with low relative humidity prompted the anticipated growth. Containment lines held while several land management objectives continued to be met with positive results including key improvements to grassland restoration.

An increase in high lifting smoke was visible from far reaching areas surrounding the vicinity of the fire but overnight impacts remained minimal. Smoke may continue to be noticeable over the next several days until monsoonal precipitation eventually arrives.