Category Archives: Fredonia

North Zone Rx: Dry Park 422E successful

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FREDONIA — North Zone fire managers successfully completed a test fire today on the Dry Park 422E Unit and resumed operations on the 1,226-acre prescribed fire unit today, which is located on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

With conditions similar to yesterday, resources were able to use aerial ignitions across the unit and complete approximately 1,119 acres. Unlike hand ignitions, which can be very time consuming depending on terrain, fuel loading and fire behavior, aerial ignitions dramatically decrease the time needed to put fire on the ground. This firing technique provides the fire with a greater window of time to ventilate smoke so transport winds disperse the smoke before evening temperatures start to cool the area.

Based on the successful completion of the Dry Park 422E Unit, fire managers anticipate initiating hand ignitions on the 1,806-acre Jacob Ryan Bridge Unit as early as tomorrow.

Looking ahead for the next few weeks, fire managers continue tracking conditions for opportunities to pursue prescribed fire operations on the Tipover East Unit and Lobo Unit.

The total Tipover East Unit is 10,296 acres in size, but the entire project area will not be burned at once. Fire managers have divided the project area into separate burn units that will be treated over the next 3 to 5 years, focusing on approximately 3,000 acres for this season. The total Lobo Unit is approximately 2,100 acres.

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the prescribed fire burn units as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area. Smoke is expected to be visible from Highway 89A, Highway 67, Marble Canyon and other high-use visitor areas; however, fire managers will strive to minimize smoke impacts to the community as much as possible. Smoke is expected to disperse during the daytime, but residual smoke may settle into drainages and low-lying areas overnight. However, it is expected to dissipate quickly as fire managers will only commence ignitions when conditions exist that will allow smoke to adequately ventilate.

As a reminder, implementation of prescribed fires is dependent on weather and fuel conditions including winds, temperature, humidity, moisture of the vegetation and ventilation conditions for dispersal of smoke, as well as, prior coordination with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorized on any given day, please visit www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html.

Prescribed burn on North Kaibab Ranger District to cause detour on Arizona Trail

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FREDONIA — Pending favorable conditions, North Zone fire managers on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest plan to conduct several hazardous fuels reduction treatments over the next few weeks. Planned operations are outlined below in order of priority; however, changes in weather conditions could change prioritization.

The Jacob Ryan North prescribed burn will impact travelers along Arizona Trail (AZT) Passage #42, located approximately two miles northeast of Jacob Lake. Once ignitions begin, fire managers expect the prescribed fire treatment to last approximately three to four days.

To aid trail users traveling through the impacted portion of the AZT, fire managers will post firefighters at checkpoints on the northern and southern ends of the unit where the trail and the prescribed burn area intersect. Trailguards will also be available to escort individuals as necessary, and reroute maps and signage will be posted.

The AZT reroute will begin tomorrow and remain in effect through the completion of prescribed fire operations on this unit. From the south, the reroute will  direct travelers north along Forest Road (FR) 247 for approximately three miles, then east along FR 249C for approximately a half mile where it will intersect with the AZT, at the fire’s northern checkpoint.

In the interest of safety, AZT travelers are asked to obey all signs and follow the reroutes posted.

Additional information for these prescribed fires are provided below in order of priority
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Closure order for Saddle Mountain Wilderness area reduced

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FREDONIA — Effective immediately, the closure order for the Saddle Mountain Wilderness area associated with the Fuller Fire on the North Kaibab Ranger District has been modified to reflect a smaller closure area due to increased moisture and decreased fire danger.

The boundary of this area closure starts east of Highway 67 at the South Canyon Trailhead off Forest Road 610, heading northeast along South Canyon Trail #6 to the junction with FR 211, then continuing northeast along FR 211 to the junction with FR 8910, then just south of the FR 8910 heading east, then along the Saddle Mountain Wilderness boundary, and back to the South Canyon Trailhead off FR 610. Closed roads include FR 211 and the portion of FR 8910 that runs north and south in the closure area.

Trails closed include those within Saddle Mountain Wilderness: South Canyon Trail #6, Nankoweap Trail #57 and Saddle Mountain Trail #31.

For more recreational information, visitors may call the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center at (928) 643-7298 or the North Kaibab District Office at (928) 643-7395.

Skeletal Remains located North of Jacob Lake Connected to 2013 Glendale Homicide Investigation

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FREDONIA — The skeletal remains found by a rancher between Fredonia and Jacob Lake has been connected to a homicide in Glendale. On July 1 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office advising a rancher had located human skeletal remains between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, AZ. The rancher was working his cattle range area just south of State Highway 89A and located the remains, clothing, boots and a daypack under a tree.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area where the rancher led them to the remains. Remnants of weathered clothing and boot were still present, as was a daypack. A handgun was found under the remains. The remains appeared to have been there for some time, if not several years.

Sheriff’s Office deputies, detectives had respond to a wooded area north of Jacob Lake on April 30, 2013 on a report from Forest Service employees of a suspicious vehicle apparently abandon in the forest off Highway 89A. It was determined the abandon truck was stolen and wanted in connection with a current homicide investigation that occurred in Glendale, AZ. The suspect in the homicide and stolen vehicle was listed as wanted and his whereabouts unknown.

Glendale Police detectives responded to the area as well as Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue unit and conducted a search of the area. At the time, no further evidence was located and the suspect’s whereabouts were still unknown.

A search of the daypack found with the remains located a work shirt that bore a company name that was connected to the homicide. It is believed the remains may be that of the homicide suspect. The investigation has been turned over to Glendale detectives.

Skeletal Remains Located North of Jacob Lake

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FREDONIA — Around 10:00 AM 7/1/2016 the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the Kane County, Utah Sheriff’s Office advising that a rancher had located human skeletal remains between Fredonia and Jacob Lake, AZ.

A local rancher was working his cattle range area just south of State Highway 89A and located the remains, clothing, boots and a daypack under a tree.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area and are currently processing the scene. Deputies did locate a handgun under the remains. Deputies and detectives are checking missing person cases and attempting to identify the remains.

Wildcat Fire 70% contained

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FREDONIA — The final report on the lightning-caused, 1,502-acre Wildcat Fire on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest is 70 percent contained, with no additional fire growth anticipated.

The fire started June 13 south of Highway 89A in the vicinity of the Saddle Mountain Wilderness. A crew of 238 personnel have been monitoring the fire with a goal of full suppression. On Sunday, excessive temperatures caused two fire fighters to be treated for heat-realated illnesses.

There has been no growth on the Wildcat Fire for several days. Crews have successfully mopped up 100 feet in from the fire edge along 70 percent of the fire. In the wilderness, hand crews have extinguished hot spots while implementing Minimal Impact Suppression Tactics. Infrared photography shows little heat, and no spot fires have been found across the fire’s edge in days. Responsibility for management of the Wildcat Fire passed from Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 back to the Kaibab National Forest this morning. A smaller fire organization will patrol and mop up the fire until it is 100 percent contained.

As a reminder, both the North and South Canyon trails are temporarily closed in order to provide for public and firefighter safety. Public notifications will be released once the closure is rescinded. The North Canyon Trail closure starts at Forest Road 631 and extends to the intersection of the Arizona Trail on the west side, approximately three-quarters of a mile from FR 611. The South Canyon Trail closure starts at FR 211 and extends to the west side trailhead near the junction of FR 610 and FR 2599.

Wildcat fire grows considerably

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FREDONIA — The lightning-caused Wildcat Fire discovered Monday became more active this afternoon and rapidly grew to an estimated 2,000-acres on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Yesterday it was at 72-acres and 50% contained.

The fire is located South of Highway 89A and southwest of the Forest Road 8910 and 211 junction within the vicinity of the South Canyon trailhead in Saddle Mountain Wilderness. The fire is currently burning in a northeast direction from the House Rock Buffalo Ranch.

The fire is currently burning in a wilderness area and there are no reports of danger to structures or evacuations.

Firefighters respond to Wildcat Fire in Saddle Mountain Wilderness

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FREDONIA — North Zone firefighters on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are currently responding to a new fire start called the Wildcat Fire, which was discovered earlier today. They intend to suppress the fire which is about 20-acres.

The fire is south of Highway 89A and southwest of the Forest Road 8910 and 211 junction within the vicinity of the South Canyon trailhead in Saddle Mountain Wilderness. Visitors can expect to see smoke as the wildfire is highly visible from Highway 89A.

The Wildcat Fire is primarily wind driven and currently moving north-northeast. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

Fire managers postpone prescribed fires on Kaibab Plateau

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FREDONIA — Effective immediately, North Zone fire managers have postponed this week’s plans to conduct both the Bridge Unit and Moquitch 4 prescribed fires due to predicted high winds on the Kaibab Plateau.

High wind activity could potentially cause implementation efforts to exceed acceptable parameters for the hazardous fuels reduction prescription. Therefore, fire managers will commence plans to test burn on both units once predicted weather, wind speed, and air quality conditions align favorably with prescription constraints.

Current future information on current Kaibab National Forest both upcoming prescribed burn notifications and wildfires will be provided through the following methods:

Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

Prescribed Burn Planned on Kaibab Plateau

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FREDONIA — Pending favorable conditions, North Zone fire managers on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are planning to begin a prescribed fire within the 1,806-acre Jacob Ryan North “Bridge” Unit as early as Tuesday, May 24.

Once ignitions commence, fire managers expect the prescribed fire treatment to last three to four days.

As one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems, prescribed fires are used to reduce forest fuels, recycle nutrients and increase habitat diversity by removing dead forest fuels.

“In addition to providing community protection and promoting forest health, this prescribed fire operation will be conducted with firefighter and public safety as our number one priority,” said North Kaibab District Ranger Randall Walker. “The tradeoff is that we are on the cusp of tourist season and smoke is to be expected. Conducting a prescribed burn with no smoke is not really very realistic. However, to mitigate the impact, we burn when conditions are such that the smoke will disperse away from populated areas as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Smoke sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures as fire managers do anticipate smoke to minimally impact visitors in the vicinity of Jacob Lake, on Highways 67 and 89A, as well as hikers on a portion of the Arizona Trail (AZT) that passes through the unit for short periods of time during the prescribed fire operations.

To aid hikers on the impacted portion of the AZT, fire managers will post firefighters at the east and west ends of the unit where the trail and the prescribed burn area intersect in order to escort hikers through as necessary. No road or trail closures are expected. However, visitors are reminded to use caution when traveling along Highways 67 and 89A, and be aware of emergency vehicles in the area.

“The fuel samples we collected last week indicate that the conditions for this prescribed burn are within the optimal range to meet our objectives,” said North Zone Fuels Specialist Dave Robinson. “We’re right in the heart of perfect conditions for this prescription.”

The boundaries for this prescribed fire are Forest Service Road 247 on the north and west, FSR 487 to FSR 257 south to Highway 89A to FSR 247 on the south, and a series of dozer lines and connecting forest roads on the east.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and appropriate weather conditions. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorized on any given day, please visit http://www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html.

Information on current Kaibab National Forest wildfires and notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided through the following methods:

Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF (Text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404 to receive text messages)

Kaibab website “News & Events”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

WildfiresNearMe: A new subscription, web-based application tool that provides the public with real-time text and email notification about wildfires that break out in their area. Users can follow any fire that has started within their area of interest. For more information, visit http://wildfiresnearme.wfmrda.com/.