FREDONIA — The Mangum Fire on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has grown to about 500 acres due to very high winds and rugged, inaccessible terrain. Additional firefighting resources are expected to arrive on scene today to assist in the wildfire suppression effort.

The Mangum Fire was reported at about 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon and has generally been moving south and east toward the vicinity of Big Springs. The wildfire is about 9 miles southwest of Jacob Lake and 16 miles north of the boundary with the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The weather forecast for today includes lighter winds, which should aid firefighters.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered to coordinate the wildfire suppression effort.

Fire managers plan to use retardant today along the eastern and northern flanks of the Mangum Fire to limit fire spread in those directions. Helicopter bucket drops will be used to cool the wildfire’s hottest areas in order to reduce fire intensity. Fire managers will also focus on ground reconnaissance in order to identify terrain features that could be reinforced to check fire spread. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area.