Category Archives: National Government

Castle Fire firefighting organization scales back

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FREDONIA — The Castle Fire’s acreage continues to hold at 16,538 for the third day in a row. Precipitation and increased humidity have affected fire behavior causing a temporary stall in the fire’s growth. With warm, dry days in the forecast, the fire may regain momentum and continue its path through remaining unburned fuels in the area of Lookout Canyon.

Over the past 28 days, since the fire started on July 12th, the number and type of firefighting resources assigned to the Type 3 Incident Management organization have increased or lessened, based on the level of fire activity. The transitions have been fluid and right-sized to meet daily and ultimately, the overall objectives of the Castle Fire.

The objectives are clearly stated in the daily Incident Action Plan that outlines the specific goals for each day’s work. Objectives for the Castle Fire are:

  • Utilize deliberate risk management process to ensure that incident responders are only committed where, and when they can be successful, with the least exposure necessary.
  • Allow fire to function as a natural disturbance process within the ecosystem to reduce accumulations of forest fuels that may exist in the area.
  • Limit fire intensity to prevent adverse impacts to cultural and natural resources.
  • Hold fire within the planning area.

With no new growth over the past few days, firefighters remain focused on fire-related work within the 19,632-acre planning area. The work includes mastication in Lookout Canyon, firing operations, aerial ignitions and pile burning of interior unburned fuels, fence and suppression repair, and clean up.

The Castle Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/

Road resurfacing and other maintenance work to begin this week on Forest Road 108 near Coleman Lake

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WILLIAMS — A contractor working for the Kaibab National Forest will begin a road maintenance project this week on Forest Road 108 in the vicinity of Coleman Lake on the Williams Ranger District in order to ensure the popular route continues to meet Forest Service road standards.

This work will include roadway reconditioning and resurfacing on an approximately 6.4-mile stretch of FR 108, beginning at its junction with County Road 73 and heading west past Coleman Lake to the project end. Additional work will include the installation of culverts along the route. The road work will improve safety conditions and enhance visitor experience when traveling to popular recreation areas on the forest.

The sources of material for this road maintenance work will be both Ruin Pit, which is located off FR 110 near JD Dam Lake, and Dead Horse Pit, which is located off FR 139. As most of the material is expected to come from Ruin Pit, heavy truck traffic may be present along the haul route, which includes forest roads 110, 109 and 12. Truck traffic may also be noticeable along FR 139 when Dead Horse Pit is used to access material. Motorists should always use caution when driving near heavy trucks and equipment.

Forest Service road engineers anticipate that the resurfacing project, which began today, will be complete by mid-September, barring any weather delays. While the impacted forest roads will not be closed during the project, motorists can expect delays and should exercise caution while traveling through the area due to varying road conditions and the presence of heavy equipment. Travelers on FR 108 could expect delays of about 30 minutes and are urged to drive slowly through the entire construction zone.

FR 108 is used frequently by Kaibab National Forest visitors to access camping, hunting and other recreational opportunities. Forest visitors seeking a spot for dispersed camping are encouraged to consider other routes on the Williams Ranger District during the duration of the road maintenance work given the likelihood of dust and noise near the project area.

Forest Service engineers regularly evaluate and monitor road conditions across the forest to determine priorities for work. FR 108 has been in need of reconditioning and resurfacing for some time, and forest managers expect visitors to have an improved experience once the current project is complete.

To contact the Williams Ranger District office, call (928) 635-5600.

Work continues on Castle fire amidst rainshowers

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FREDONIA— The Castle Fire’s acreage held at 16,538 today due to more consistent showers over the fire area. Precipitation has a direct effect of fire behavior by moderating or temporarily halting the spead of the fire. This does not mean the end of the fire, however. Warmer, drier days, such as those predicted in the long-term forecast can provide just enough heat to keep the fire moving through the fuels that are still available in the unburned areas. The weather forecast for today is partly cloudy with a light chance of thunderstorms in the morning followed by an increasing chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Over the past 27 days, since the fire started on July 12th, firefighters have continually worked on securing the 28-mile perimeter of the planning area. They had to assess and prioritize their day’s work based on the expected fire activity and potential rate of spread.

Staying ahead of the fire has been critical to the success of keeping it within the planning area. During the recent intermittent rainshowers, firefighters continue to stay busy working on suppression repair work in and around the planning area. Mastication work is also ongoing along Forest Road 226, which defines the westernmost boundary of the planning area. Constant monitoring and patrolling of the fireline is essential in ensuring that it is secure and that the fire has no opportunity to breach the line.

The origin of the fire is located about 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon.

The Castle Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.

Castle Fire pushes on reaching 15,000 acres

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FREDONIA — The Castle Fire made another push westward on Monday, resulting in a 3,100-acre gain. The fire’s path has covered 15,000 acres within the pre-identified planning area of 19,632 acres. Favorable conditions including dry weather over the western edge of the planning area, available fuels and topography have contributed to the fire’s spread.

The Castle Fire started on July 12th and it has been allowed to burn naturally across the landscape. Allowing this lightning-caused fire to burn across the landscape during this time of the year was a strategic decision by fire managers. The fire intensity was mostly low to moderate, with occasional flare ups in dense pockets of fuel.Under the right conditions, fire helps break down nutrients and minerals in plants and other debris such as old logs and dense undergrowth and restores them to the soil, resulting in a more fertile forest floor.

Firefighters will continue with firing operations and mastication work to ensure that the western and southern perimeters are secure enough to hold the fire. The biggest challenge along Forest Road 226, which is also the western perimeter of the planning area, has been the powerline that exists along this corridor. Firefighters have been working diligently to ensure that any potential for increased fire behavior has been mitigated. This work, coupled with the fire’s positive effects on the land will result in long lasting improvements, both ecologically and to existing infrastructure.

Today’s weather forecast: partly cloudy then mostly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

The fire’s origin is located about 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon.

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/

Risk of post-fire flooding as Museum Fire nears full containment

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FLAGSTAFF – Containment of the 1,961-acre Museum Fire increased to 91 percent yesterday, with high humidity decreasing fire behavior within the perimeter. The cause is still under investigation.

Resources assigned to the fire include: 4 hotshot crews; 1 Type 2 hand crew; 2 helicopters; 5 engines; and, 1 dozer.

Yesterday, firefighters completed chipping operations along Forest Road 789 as a part of suppression repair efforts. Chipping operations will continue today near Shultz Tank. Crews are working with heavy equipment to stabilize roads in the fire area and will continue to patrol and hold the containment line, cooling hot spots as necessary.

The potential for strong thunderstorms exists through Friday. Understand that all drainages within and downstream of the burned area can produce flash flooding. Flash floods can occur even though it is not raining where you are – it may be raining hard further upstream.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is evaluating watershed conditions to determine the level of potential risks on National Forest System lands to human life, safety, property, critical natural and cultural resources, and determine appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding and debris flow. A BAER team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area. BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals who can prescribe emergency response actions that can be implemented quickly and effectively.

Today, the BAER Team will complete their risk assessment for BAER critical values. This risk assessment will be used to develop treatment recommendations for land managers.

Prior to visiting the Coconino National Forest, be sure to view the map of the Museum Fire Public Safety closure area. Detailed information and a map are available on Inciweb at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/6450/0/93533.

The Museum Fire Information phone line remains open from 8 AM to 6 PM at 928-288-2484. Information is also available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/museumfireinfo and Twitter @MuseumFireInfo.

FEMA and FCC Conduct Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test

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WASHINGTON – FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

The nationwide test will be sent to radio and television stations beginning at 2:20 p.m. EDT.

The test is being conducted through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). This year, the test message will originate from designated radio stations, known as Primary Entry Point stations, which participate in a component of IPAWS called the National Public Warning System.

All other radio and television stations, cable, wireline service providers, and direct broadcast satellite service providers should subsequently receive and broadcast the test message.

This year’s test will evaluate the readiness of the national alerting capability in the absence of internet connectivity. The test will be approximately one minute long, have a limited impact on the public with only minor interruption of radio and television programs, and will be similar to regular monthly EAS tests. Both the audio message and text crawl should be accessible to people with disabilities.

The test will not include a message on cell phones via Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Castle Fire slowly continues burning towards Riggs Canyon

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FREDONIA — Excellent progress is being made in securing the entire perimeter of the 19,368-acre planning area which defines the outermost boundary of the Castle Fire. The fire has burned north and south from its point of origin, traversing almost 12 miles of the eastern perimeter of the planning area. As the fire established itself, it gained depth and started spreading southwest towards Riggs Canyon.

Traveling across the landscape, the fire is consuming dead and down material, leaving a footprint of lightly smoldering fine surface fuels and the area is now primed for regeneration. Active flames are mostly occurring on the flaming front of the fire, which constitutes a small percentage of the 7,900 acres that have burned over the past 19 days.

Although scattered thunderstorms have visited the general area over the past week, no precipitation has materialized over the Castle Fire. When the rains do arrive however, they will be the catalyst for restoring and renewing the area that the fire has visited.

Since July 12th, the lightning-caused Castle Fire has grown to 7,900 acres. It has now moved across about 40% of the planning area and has 177 personnel assigned. The fire’s origin is located about 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon.

Following long-term planning and preparation for a natural ignition to occur in the right place and at the right time, fire managers have been allowing the fire to burn naturally within its pre-defined 19,368-acre planning area.

A temporary Closure Order is in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/.

The Castle Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.

Kaibab National Forest proposes fee increase for Ten X Campground

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TUSAYAN — The Kaibab National Forest is proposing to increase fees for overnight camping at Ten X Campground on the Tusayan Ranger District in order to better align prices with other nearby private and public recreation areas as well as to improve visitor experience by enhancing amenities and services.

The fees at Ten X Campground have not been raised for more than 25 years, resulting in the recreation area being significantly underpriced as compared to equivalent offerings. The proposed fee increases would not only better align costs with average market values but would also provide additional funds to better maintain existing infrastructure, hire more seasonal workers to service the campground, and support the proposed expansion of this popular recreation site.

The Kaibab National Forest is proposing that the overnight camping fee for a single site be raised from the current $10 to $24, and for a double site from $20 to $48. The Kaibab National Forest is also proposing that the overnight fee for Group Site A, which accommodates 75 people, be increased from the current $125 to $175, and for Group Site B, which accommodates 50 people, from $75 to $125. Fees are assessed based on the level of amenities and services provided, cost of operation and maintenance, market assessment, and public comment.

“Ten X Campground provides a valuable camping experience in a beautiful setting for visitors to Grand Canyon National Park and northern Arizona,” said Dutch Maatman, assistant recreation staff officer with the Kaibab National Forest. “If approved, this fee increase will help us support the proposed expansion of the campground, increase the amenities offered there, and ultimately provide the positive recreation experience that our visitors have come to expect.”

In 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which allows the Forest Service to retain funds collected at certain recreation sites and use those funds locally to operate, maintain and improve these sites. Eighty to 95 percent of the revenue collected at recreation fee sites remains on forest for management of those same facilities.

Under REA, all new fees and fee changes must be proposed and approved by a citizen advisory committee, in this case the Arizona Bureau of Land Management Recreation Resource Advisory Committee. Committee members represent a broad range of recreation interest groups to help ensure that the Forest Service is proposing reasonable and publicly acceptable new fees and fee changes.

Members of the public are invited to provide input on the Kaibab National Forest’s proposed Ten X Campground fee increases through Oct. 31, 2019. Comments should be submitted to Dutch Maatman at joseph.maatman@usda.gov or (928) 635-5661.

Once the public review period has ended, the proposed fee changes and all comments received will be considered by the advisory committee, which will then submit a recommendation to the Regional Forester of the Forest Service’s Southwestern Region for a final decision.

To learn more about the proposed Ten X Campground Expansion project, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55626.

Type 1 Team to transfer command of Museum fire to Coconino National Forest

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FLAGSTAFF – The Museum fire containment is going so well that the Type I management team plans to transfer command back to Coconino National Forest tomorrow by 6 p.m. Containment of the fire, that remains at 1961-acres, is at 82%.

The Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2, led by Incident Commander Rich Nieto, plans to transfer command of the Museum Fire back to the Coconino National Forest tomorrow, July 30, 2019, at 6 PM. A local Type 3 organization led by Incident Commander Preston Mercer will continue to fight the fire.

Personnel from the Type 3 organization are on-site shadowing the Type 1 team, and together are producing a plan for a smooth transition. Fire activity has been minimal with no perimeter growth the past two days. Firefighters will continue to closely monitor the fire on the ground and will utilize aerial resources as needed.

Firefighters on the ground worked in conjunction with helicopters to cool hotspots on the north and east flanks today. Heavy fuels will continue to burn and smolder within areas the fire perimeter until significant rains set in.

A robust initial attack crew is staying vigilant as monsoon weather is anticipated to bring thunderstorms to the area tonight and tomorrow, and stand ready to suppress any new starts.

The Coconino National Forest has released a new Forest Order reducing the Museum Fire Public Safety closure area. Detailed information and a map are available on Inciweb at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/6450/0/93533.

EOC Activated for Museum Fire

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FLAGSTAFF – The Flagstaff Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has bee activated in support of the 200-acre Museum Fire in the Dry Hills area northwest o Mount Elden. Over 180 firefighters and over a dozen aircraft are fighting the fire. The cause of the fire, that started at 5+ acres, is still under investigation.

Currently there are evacuation orders for Forest Road 420 to Highway 89 and Shultz Pass Road south of the private lands. The Red Cross has set up a shelter at Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff located at 3950 E Butler Avenue.