Persistent wet weather has presented favorable opportunities for fire crews to continue burning piles at numerous locations across the Kaibab National Forest. Fire personnel on the Williams Ranger District will be moving to an area known has Kaufman Springs today approximately 4 miles north of the community of Parks to continue with operations.

Several Units of slash piles on the south side of Government Hill, west of county road 141 are scheduled to be treated over the weeks ahead. 114 acres will be ignited today just west of Wright Hill and crews hope to continue working in this area next week if weather conditions allow.

Other pile burns will probably continue in the Williams and Tusayan areas. On The Williams district, 139 acres of piles off of Forest Road 186 just south of Forest Road 108 near Coleman Lake will be ignited Thursday with an additional 52 acres to be treated on Friday. On The Tusayan district, 19 acres of piles will burned on Thursday approximately 2 miles west of the Grand Canyon Airport.

Objectives for these pile burns include reducing fuels resulting from previous forest restoration projects and improving overall forest health and resiliency. Piles typically burn rapidly and produce far less smoke for shorter durations than larger broadcast burns over the landscape.

Minimal to light smoke impacts are anticipated, however air quality will be monitored closely and actions will be taken as necessary to minimize the effects to residential developed areas.