Tag Archives: Kaibab Nationl Forest

Two lightning caused wildfires to be managed on Tusayan Ranger District

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TUSAYAN — Fire officials on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are managing two new fire starts called the “Scott” and “Airstrip” fires. The Scott fire was discovered June 28, and has grown to approximately 5 acres in size. It is located in a remote area on the Coconino rim near forest road 310 eleven miles east of Tusayan. The Airstrip Fire was discovered on June 29, and is currently 6 acres in size. The Airstrip fire is located just south of the town of Tusayan on the east side of highway 64.

The Scott Fire is burning in a pinyon juniper and ponderosa pine fuel type on the northeast slope of the Coconino rim in the Upper Basin. A temporary detour has been put in place on a section of the Arizona Trail between the Grand View lookout tower and forest road 311 north of Russell tank. Trail users are asked to follow directions posted along the trail and avoid areas where active fire is present.

The Airstrip fire is burning in a predominant ponderosa pine stand adjacent to the Grand Canyon airport and will be visible from the community of Tusayan and from highway 64. Both fires will be allowed to move within a predetermined planning area for the purpose of reducing hazardous fuel accumulations and restoring overall forest health.

“With the recent arrival of monsoon rains, conditions in the forest have become favorable for us to utilize both of these fires to significantly improve the landscape” said Josh Miller Assistant Fire Management Officer on the Tusayan Ranger District. “We recognize the concern people have about the Airstrip fire being managed relatively close to the community. By allowing moderate ground fire to clean up this critical piece of forest south of the developed areas, fuels loads will decrease creating a safeguard in front of the community. The end result will reduce a future threat of a potentially devastating wildfire running straight toward the town from the south.”

Weather conditions are expected to vary on a daily basis which will influence changes in fire behavior and growth patterns as both these fires begin to progress.

Smoke may be visible from the Grand Canyon village, the communities of Tusayan, Cameron, Valle, and from Highways 64 and 180. Fire managers will monitor smoke impacts closely and will employ extra measures as necessary to minimize smoke impacts to the surrounding residential areas.

Kaibab National Forest releases draft decision to add camping corridors

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest has released a draft decision to add camping corridors and make other improvements to the transportation system of the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts.

The project, which was designed to improve travel management on the two districts in response to public and internal feedback, will designate approximately 291 miles of camping corridors that extend 300 feet from either side of the centerline of certain roads; add 14 spur roads to the Tusayan Ranger District; close 9 miles of currently open roads on the two districts; add 24 miles of roads to the districts’ open road system; and establish an adaptive management strategy for making limited changes to the transportation system in the future.

The final Environmental Assessment and draft Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact for the South Zone Travel Management Revision Project are available for review on the Kaibab National Forest website at http://go.usa.gov/kpQV.

Unresolved concerns about the final EA and draft DN/FONSI will be addressed through an objection process. In order to file an objection, a person must have previously submitted specific comments regarding the South Zone Travel Management Revision Project. Objections may be filed over a 45-day period. Details about the objection process are available on the Kaibab National Forest website at http://go.usa.gov/kpQV.

Changes to the transportation system included in the draft decision were all developed based on several years of monitoring following implementation of the Travel Management Rule on the two districts, which included documenting public concerns about recreational access and other issues.

“I believe our local community members and our visitors will be pleased with these changes and will recognize that they are responsive to the concerns we’ve been hearing over recent years,” said Williams District Ranger Danelle D. Harrison. “We took our commitment to listen to public and employee feedback seriously, and this decision is evidence of that continuing commitment. Our goal is to provide motorized recreational opportunities where we can while still providing for the protection of our natural and cultural resources.”

A final decision on the South Zone Travel Management Revision Project is expected in the spring with a new Motor Vehicle Use Map anticipated soon thereafter. Current Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Kaibab National Forest are available at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/tmr.