Category Archives: National Government

New start discovered in Burnt Complex Fire planning area

Posted on by

burnt-comples150713-01a FREDONIA — While conducting planning area prep work for the Burnt Fire, North Zone fire personnel discovered a new lightning-caused wildfire on July 9, which has been named the Corral Fire. The Corral Fire point of origin is located approximately one mile south of the Burnt Fire point of origin.

Located within the already active Burnt Fire planning area boundary, both wildland fires are being managed in an area that has previously been deemed safe for firefighters to manage. This forest type has been identified by the Kaibab National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan, also known as the Kaibab forest plan, as appropriate for management actions.

Under the Kaibab forest plan, management of naturally-caused fires enables both forest and fire managers to reduce the risk of high severity fires, improve the resiliency of the forest’s natural ecosystems in the face of climate change, and increase the quality and quantity of important wildlife habitats within the Kaibab National Forest.

“If deemed safe to manage, these lightning-caused fires can be our most effective tool to restore the landscape and to return fire to fire-adapted ecosystems,” said North Zone Fire Management Officer Ed Hiatt. “By allowing fire to perform its natural role across the landscape, we can achieve the desired conditions outlined in our forest plan – to protect our surrounding communities, infrastructure, heritage resources, and recreational settings from severe wildfires.”

Together, both fires will be managed as the Burnt Complex within the previously established 3,915-acre Burnt Fire planning area. Both the 24-acre Corral Fire and the 85-acre Burnt Fire are bound by Forest Service Road (FSR) 228 on the north, FSR 274 on the south and west, and FSR 22 on the east.

Today fire behavior is active, which means that fire is spreading on the ground through duff, litter, and other fuels. Fire managers do anticipate smoke to lightly impact driving conditions along FSR 22. Currently, there are no road or trail closures in effect; however, hazard signs are posted, and motorists are reminded to be extremely cautious when driving in the vicinity and around firefighters and working equipment.

Since the Fourth of July weekend, North Zone firefighters have responded to nine lightning-caused fires across the North Kaibab Ranger District, five of which occurred on July 8 and are listed below:

  • Willis Fire – lightning caused and located just east of LeFevre Overlook. Approximately .10 acre in size. Action taken: none, currently in monitor status as it received rain several times during the day.
  • Highway Fire – lightning caused and located on a northwest slope between AZ Highway 89A and FSR22. Approximately .10 acre in size. Action taken: air support responded, took suppression action, and the fire is contained.
  • Lakes Fire – lightning caused and located on FSR 217, one mile in from AZ Highway 67. Approximately .10 acre in size. Action taken: suppressed, contained and controlled.
  • Murrays Fire – lightning caused and located along AZ Highway 67 near mile-marker 588. Single tree burning next to road edge. Action taken: suppressed.
  • Point Fire – lightning caused and located along AZ Highway 67. Two miles south of the Murrays Fire. Single tree burning near roadway. Action taken: suppressed.

Mason Fire produces less smoke, continues to slowly increase in size

Posted on by

TUSAYAN — The Mason Fire, a resources benefit fire on the Kaibab National Forest, is transitioning out of an area dominated by ponderosa pine into a portion of the forest that is mainly a pinyon and juniper ecotone, which, according to incident commander Quentin Johnson, will not burn at as rapid a rate or produce as much smoke.

Therefore, fire managers have decided to reduce the amount of firefighters needed to manage the fire, which will be allowed to burn until it reaches the edge of the management area. “The crews will continue with the same tasks, but there are fewer of them needed to manage the fire at this point,” said Johnson.

The 2,570-acre Mason Fire, located 7 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan and 4 miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower, is the most active of the four lightning-caused wildfires that were included in the Jar Complex to provide ecological and other resource and community protection benefits in the area. The Mason Fire merged with the Old Fire yesterday and will be managed as one fire.

Motorists should continue to practice extra caution on the forest roads in the area of the Mason Fire and when driving highways 64 and 180 during the early morning. Smoke production from the Jar Complex is expected to be lighter over the next few days due to increasing cloud cover and monsoonal activity. However, it may still be visible from Desert View, Cameron, Tusayan, and highways 64 and 180. Overnight and during the early morning hours, smoke has settled closer to Tusayan and south toward Red Butte. However, as the sun warms up the morning air, that smoke has been lifting and dissipating quickly.

Springs Fire picks up in activity while Key Hole Fire continues to smolder

Posted on by
KeyholeSink15-03-28-51

Key Hole Sink east of Williams.

WILLIAMS — The Springs Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest picked up in activity yesterday due to drier conditions and higher winds, growing to about 80 acres in size. Meanwhile, the Key Hole Fire remained at 17 acres in size, smoldering and creeping slowly through pine needles and other forest debris.

Fire managers are considering allowing both lightning-caused wildfires to continue growing in order to meet ecological and other resource and community protection objectives. The Springs Fire is located just east of Davenport Knoll about 2 miles south of Summit Mountain east of County Road 73. The Key Hole Fire is located just north of Key Hole Sink near Duck Lake north of Interstate 40.

Yesterday, the Springs Fire put up smoke visible from County Road 73 and from Interstate 40 in the Parks area west to Williams. Due to its increased growth, fire managers used management ignitions along perimeter roads in order to reinforce boundaries established for the fire. Specifically, fire crews used drip torches to burn fuels along forest roads 57 and 354 in order to help define a northeastern perimeter for the growth of the Springs Fire. Smoke may still be present on the 57 and 354 roads in the area, so motorists are asked to use caution when traveling there over the next couple of days.

Today, firefighters will begin additional work in preparation for the Springs Fire’s likely growth. Prep work will include lining range fences, aspen enclosures, and other potentially fire-sensitive resources in the area. This important work ensures that as the fire spreads naturally, fire managers will be able to allow it to grow and treat acres without the risk of negatively impacting these other values in the area. Fire crews will also be monitoring the Key Hole Fire, but growth is less likely due to its location and level of activity over the last several days.

There are no closures in effect related to the Springs or Key Hole fires. Smoke will likely continue to be visible from the Springs Fire. Kaibab National Forest managers want to assure members of the public who may see this smoke that the fire is being monitored and staffed by firefighting personnel and that it is a good candidate for management to achieve resource objectives such as fuels reduction, wildlife habitat improvement, and community protection because of its location and the fuels in which it is burning.

Mason and Old fires merge, treating 2,200 acres southeast of Tusayan

Posted on by

mason004TUSAYAN — As anticipated by fire managers, two lightning-caused wildfires being managed to improve forest health on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest merged yesterday, bringing the total number of acres treated to 2,200. The Mason and Old fires, which are part of the Jar Complex, are located about 7 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan and 4 miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower.

The two fires are being managed to achieve resource objectives such as enhancing wildlife habitat and reducing the potential for future high-intensity wildland fires within a predetermined 16,100-acre planning area. Today, fire managers expect the combined Mason and Old fires to continue backing through ponderosa pine forest toward the south southwest between forest roads 2733 and 684A/684.

“We expected that the Mason and Old fires would eventually merge,” said Josh Miller, assistant fire management officer for the Tusayan Ranger District. “This is not only good for treating accumulated fuels such as pine needles, brush and small trees in the forest, but it’s also good for ensuring the safety of our fire crews. Managing one fire in an area is safer so that we never have unburned fuels between an active fire and our firefighters. All of our management actions to date have been planned and implemented in anticipation of these fires eventually merging.”

Smoke production from the Jar Complex is expected to be lighter over the next few days due to increasing cloud cover and monsoonal activity. However, it may still be visible from Desert View, Cameron, Tusayan, and highways 64 and 180. Overnight and during the early morning hours, smoke has settled closer to Tusayan and south toward Red Butte. However, as the sun warms up the morning air, that smoke has been lifting and dissipating quickly. Motorists should watch for smoke and use extra caution when driving highways 64 and 180 in the early morning hours.

Mason Fire, Old Fire expected to merge today

Posted on by

TUSYAN — The Mason Fire and Old Fire, both lightning caused, are expected to grow together today to form one wildfire. The 1,915-acre Mason Fire is one of four lightning-caused wildfires being managed on the district as part of the Jar Complex to provide ecological and other resource and community protection benefits in the area.

The Mason Fire and Old Fire are both being managed within a predefined 16,100-acre planning area, located about 7 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan and 4 miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower.

The other two managed fires, Lost and Shale, located east of Highway 64 are showing little to no activity despite the warmer temperatures. Firefighters will continue to monitor these locations, but fire managers expect no growth on these two fires today.

However, the Mason Fire is also expected to grow to the south and east along Forest Road 684 today and more smoke is expected to impact the area. There are no road closures expected in the area of the fire. Road crews are continuing to haul gravel, blade, and make other improvements to the heavily-used roads located north of the active fire area along Forest Roads 301, 301A, 302 and 320. Motorists are urged to use extreme caution when traveling in and around this vicinity due to smoke and firefighters working along the roads.

Smoke from the Mason Fire during the day continues to blow northeast towards Desert View in the Grand Canyon and Cameron, Ariz. In the early mornings, cooler temperatures and a shift in wind direction brings the smoke closer to the ground making it visible in the Town of Tusayan and as far south as Red Butte. However, it will lift and change direction as temperatures increase. Please use caution driving along Highway 64 and Highway 180 during the cooler early morning hours.

North Kaibab Ranger District considers managing second wildfire

Posted on by

FREDONIA — Continued lightning activity on the North Kaibab Ranger District throughout the Independence weekend resulted in another wildfire on the Kaibab Plateau that North Zone fire managers are considering managing in order to improve forest health.

The Burnt Fire is located within the southern portion of the 28,060 acre Burnt Corral Vegetation Management Project area off of Forest Service Road 228A and has grown to approximately 1 acre since its discovery on July 5. Earlier this week, North Zone fire managers and forest resource specialists met to discuss the appropriate management strategy and develop a planning area boundary of 3,915 acres.

When deciding whether a particular wildfire is appropriate to manage to meet resource objectives, fire managers analyze the availability of fire personnel and equipment, terrain, weather, potential smoke impacts, cost, and potential resource benefits, and then make a recommendation to the line officer with input from all forest resource specialists. During this consultation, resource specialists consider all factors in order to provide the line officer with an overall big picture so that a decision can be made to manage the fire for resource benefit or suppress.

“The goals and objectives of the Burnt Corral project are to improve forest health and vigor while enhancing habitat conditions by making them more resilient to change in the event of wildfire or other climatic condition changes such as drought,” said North Kaibab District Ranger Randall Walker. “Management of this fire is in alignment with our forest plan, with the goals and objectives of the Burnt Corral project, and with the expected ebb and flow of monsoonal activity. Our goal is to reduce fuel loading, promote wildlife habitat, and treat approximately twelve percent of the Burnt Corral project area thus increasing that resiliency.”

Today, local resources are working on preparing the planning area and coordinating dozer line construction with fire archaeologists to protect cultural resources, timber stands, wildlife, and water catchments.

“Successful management of wildfire caused by lightning will help reduce the risk of future high-intensity wildfires to surrounding communities,” said North Zone Fire Management Officer Ed Hiatt. “But we encourage homeowners living in the wildland-urban interface to continue to fireproof their private property.”

Mason Fire expected to grow as drier conditions return to northern Arizona

Posted on by

TUSAYAN — Kaibab National Forest fire managers expect the 450-acre Mason Fire that is being managed to achieve resource objectives on the Tusayan Ranger District to grow more rapidly over the next few days as drier conditions return to northern Arizona.

Mason is one of four lightning-caused wildfires being managed as part of the Jar Complex to improve forest health, allow fire to play its natural role as a disturbance factor in the ecosystem, enhance wildlife habitat, and reduce the potential for future high-intensity fires.

Today, firefighters will conduct management ignitions at strategic locations within the planning area established for the Mason Fire in order to protect fire-sensitive resources, reinforce predefined boundaries to fire spread, and create areas burned at low intensity ahead of the main fire in order to reduce the potential for any rapid, higher-intensity fire progression during windy, dry conditions.

Specifically, firefighters will use drip torches to burn fuels west along Forest Road 304 from the existing fire area to FR 2733 and then potentially south along FR 2733. FR 2733 serves as the western perimeter of the 16,100-acre planning area established for both the Mason and Old fires. The planning area is located about 7 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan and 4 miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower. The Old Fire, which is also being managed to benefit forest resources, remains at about five acres in size but is also expected to become more active given the local drying trend.

“Prior to human settlement in this area, lightning would have caused fires during monsoon season that would have then spread unimpeded until they were rained out or moved into areas of sparse fuels,” said Tusayan District Ranger James Simino. “Managing these naturally-caused fires helps us mimic those historic conditions, which is critical to preventing high-intensity, potentially destructive fires during months like May and June when rain isn’t typically associated with them.”

A road crew is continuing to haul gravel, blade, and make other improvements to heavily-used roads in the fire area. Motorists using forest roads 301, 301A, 302 and 320 are asked to use caution due to the presence of heavy equipment for the road improvement work and firefighting trucks and personnel.

Smoke from the Mason Fire is becoming more prominent as it continues growing and becoming more active. Due to prevailing winds, smoke will largely be pushed toward the northeast, making it visible from Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park and from Cameron, Ariz. Smoke from the four fires may eventually become more visible from other areas including the Town of Tusayan, Highway 64 and Highway 180.

Mason Fire growing steadily despite recent rains

Posted on by

640-jar-2015_07_01-14

Fire activity increased on the Mason Fire due to higher winds and less precipitation. – Kaibab Forest Service photo

TUSAYAN — Fire managers are pleased with the continued steady growth of the Mason Fire despite recent rains across much of the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. The 430-acre Mason Fire is one of four lightning-caused wildfires being managed on the district as part of the Jar Complex to provide ecological and other resource and community protection benefits in the area.

Kaibab Forest Service Photo

Kaibab Forest Service Photo

The Mason Fire will be managed within a predefined 16,100-acre planning area that also includes the Old Fire, which grew to almost five acres in size yesterday. The planning area is located about 7 miles southeast of the Town of Tusayan and 4 miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower.

The other two fires being managed on the Tusayan Ranger District for forest health and other resource-related objectives are the Lost and Shale fires. Each fire is under an acre in size, and neither has shown much activity over the last few days due to consistent rain showers in the area they are located, which is east of Highway 64 several miles south of Tusayan.

Today, fire crews will continue work in preparation for fire growth including lining archaeological sites, trick tanks, range fences and any other potentially fire-sensitive resources within the established boundaries for the fires. While fire crews conduct prep work, a road crew will continue hauling gravel, blading, and making other improvements to heavily-used roads in the fire areas. Motorists using forest roads 301, 301A, 302 and 320 are asked to use caution due to the presence of heavy equipment for the road improvement work and firefighting trucks and personnel.

Smoke from the Mason Fire is becoming more prominent as it continues growing and becoming more active. Due to prevailing winds, smoke will largely be pushed toward the northeast, making it visible from Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park and from Cameron, Ariz. Smoke from the four fires may eventually become more visible from other areas including the Town of Tusayan, Highway 64 and Highway 180.

Jar Complex grows to more than 280 acres, provides ecological benefits

Posted on by

TUSAYAN — The largest of the four fires in the Jar Complex on the Tusayan Ranger District grew to 280 acres yesterday, providing ecological and other resource benefits on the Kaibab National Forest.

The Mason Fire, located just southwest of Camp 36 Tank about 4 miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower, remains the most active of the fires that are being managed to enhance forest health and wildlife habitat while reducing the potential for high-intensity wildland fires in the future.

Yesterday, fire crews were successful in conducting management ignitions along the northeastern boundary of the 16,100-acre Mason Fire planning area. This work reinforced established perimeters for the fire’s eventual growth and also protected range fences and other potentially fire-sensitive resources in the area.
image006
The Old Fire, which is also within the Mason Fire planning area, is still active but remains at under an acre in size due to rainfall over the last few days. It is located west of Forest Road 2736 just north of Old Automobile Tank. Fire managers remain hopeful it will pick up in activity if weather conditions become drier over the next several days.

Also burning on the Tusayan Ranger District are the Lost and Shale fires, each about an acre in size. Fire managers have established a 3,600-acre planning area in which these two fires will be allowed to expand in order to provide greater protection to the Town of Tusayan and other nearby infrastructure. The planning area for the fires runs east along Highway 64 starting about 5 miles south of Tusayan and continuing south to Forest Road 308.

Today, fire crews will continue work in preparation for fire growth including lining archaeological sites, trick tanks, range fences and any other potentially fire-sensitive resources within the established planning areas. While fire crews conduct prep work, a road crew will continue hauling gravel, blading, and making other improvements to heavily-used roads in the fire areas. Motorists using forest roads 301, 301A, 302 and 320 are asked to use caution due to the presence of heavy equipment for the road improvement work and firefighting trucks and personnel.

Smoke from the Mason Fire was visible yesterday and will likely be more prominent over the coming days and weeks. Due to prevailing winds, smoke will largely be pushed toward the northeast, making it visible from Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park and from Cameron, Ariz. As the four fires pick up in activity, smoke columns are likely to become more visible from other areas including the Town of Tusayan, Highway 64 and Highway 180.

Management ignitions to begin along perimeter of Jar Complex planning area

Posted on by

TUSAYAN — With drier conditions and higher winds predicted for today, firefighters will begin management ignitions along perimeter roads of the Mason Fire planning area in order to reinforce boundaries established for the fire and protect fire-sensitive resources such as range fences.

The Mason Fire, which is the largest of the four lightning-caused fires that are part of the Jar Complex on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, grew to 85 acres yesterday and is expected to pick up in activity today due to the changing weather conditions. The Mason Fire is located just southwest of Camp 36 Tank about 4 miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower and is burning predominantly in ponderosa pine.

Today, fire managers will use drip torches to burn fuels along Forest Road 301A from its intersection with FR 317 west toward FR 304. FR 301A serves as the northeastern boundary of the 16,100-acre planning area established for the Mason and Old fires, which are being managed to achieve resource-related objectives such as allowing fire to play its natural role in a fire-adapted ecosystem and improving overall forest health conditions. The Old Fire, located west of Forest Road 2736 just north of Old Automobile Tank, remains at under an acre in size but will likely increase in both size and activity as conditions dry out.

The other two fires that are part of the Jar Complex are the Lost and Shale fires, which are each just under an acre in size. The Lost Fire is located about 6 miles south of Tusayan and a quarter mile east of Highway 64. The Shale Fire is about a mile southeast of the Lost Fire just west of the junction of forest roads 2703 and 2703A. Fire managers have defined a 3,600-acre planning area within which the two fires will be allowed to grow over the coming days and weeks.

Besides conducting management ignitions along the northeastern boundary of the Mason Fire planning area today, firefighters will also continue additional work in preparation for fire growth including lining archaeological sites, trick tanks, range fences and any other potentially fire-sensitive resources within the established planning areas. Crews will also continue grading and making other improvements to roads in the area. Motorists using forest roads 301, 301A, 302 and 320 are asked to use caution due to the presence of heavy equipment for the road improvement work and firefighting trucks and personnel.

While smoke from the fires has not been very visible over the last few days due to cloud cover and rain, drier conditions in the forecast are expected to lead to increased fire activity and smoke production. The Mason Fire is most likely to produce smoke visible by members of the public. Due to prevailing winds, smoke will largely be pushed toward the northeast, making it visible from Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park and from Cameron, Ariz. As the four fires pick up in activity, smoke columns are likely to become more visible from other areas including the Town of Tusayan, Highway 64 and Highway 180.

The Kaibab Forest Service may appear to have trouble keeping the fires burning with the rains we have received and this may make campers complacent with fire. Campers are reminded that they still must show the proper respect and caution with campfires. Your camping area may just be drier than other areas.

Campers should have a bucket and shovel and make sure that campfires are cool to the touch before leaving.