Corrected 6/16/17 9:21 a.m.

WILLIAMS – With Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect as of 8 a.m. this morning, an amateur radio operator informed us of a fire began about 2 p.m. this afternoon in the area of the Williams Hiking Trail on the west side of Williams. The cause of the fire has not been released. All of this as a plume of smoke rose in the sky in the east from the Boundary Fire on Mt. Kendrick.

The area of fire appeared to be about an acre. A Chinook CH-47 helicopter with a Bambi Bucket was brought in and began dumping water from Santa Fe dam on the fire about 3 p.m. Firefighting efforts began to subside about 5:30

Stage I fire restrictions, will began today 8 a.m. across the entire Kaibab and Coconino national forests. The goal of the fire restrictions is to protect public health by reducing the number of preventable human-caused wildfires.
Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or a developed recreation site. Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three-feet of the device. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands. The national forests use fire restrictions to help prevent unwanted, human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions.

Implementation of fire restrictions normally occurs based on a combination of factors that are carefully measured. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include things such as current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Additional restrictions may be applied as conditions warrant. An explanation of the different stages of fire restrictions and what is typically prohibited during those stages can be found online at tinyurl.com/firestagesexplained.

Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the forests receive significant precipitation, at which time they will be rescinded.

Forest officials would also like to remind visitors that having a campfire on the national forest while under fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court. Visitors should use extra caution when recreating on all public lands during fire season.

Know Before You Go!
The public can obtain additional fire information via the following:
Arizona Fire Restrictions – www.firerestrictions.us/az/Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention and Information Website – www.wildlandfire.az.gov/
Fire Restrictions on Public Lands in Arizona and New Mexico-1-877-864-6985
Coconino National Forest – www.coconinonationalforest.us
Kaibab National Forest – www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab