Tag Archives: Spring Fire

Springs Fire travels south into Wild Horse Canyon

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640-2015_08_17-09.40.26.272-CDTWILLIAMS — The Spring Fire—which has grown over 6,000 acres despite monsoon conditions—has spread into Wild Horse Canyon and is expected to burn itself out there. The Summit Mountain Trail (#68) continues to be closed until Sept. 30 or until Closure Order 07-15-01-F is rescinded. The trail was closed on July 30 due to the Springs Fire activity.

Yesterday fire personnel continued to monitor the Springs Fire after fire activity increased, due to drier conditions, following a week of monsoon weather. Crews reinforced Forest Road 746, a designated perimeter road, with burn out operations. Fire managers expect the lightning-caused wildfire to reach its pre-established southeastern boundary within the next several days.

Today they will continue to monitor and reinforce Forest Road 57A and Forest Road 746, as the fire activity moves slowly towards the south around Wild Horse Canyon. As the wildfire reaches these designated perimeter roads, it is expected to burn out on its own, as fire managers have been planning since the discovery of the naturally-ignited Springs Fire in early July.

Smoke impacts to both Wild Horse and Sycamore canyons and father south are possible as the Springs Fire continues to slowly back through the area.

The Parks and Bellemont communities may also notice smoke over the next several days, as the wildfire burns through the remaining portion of the planning area established for its natural spread. As the wildfire reaches pre-determined perimeter roads in the coming days, fire activity and smoke production are expected to decrease significantly.

Spring fire grows slowly

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800-spring-2015-07-25-03WILLIAMS — The residents of Williams, Parks, Sherwood Forest and the areas in between should receive a break from smoke over the next few days. The fire has grown almost 2700-acres, but because of the rains the progress of the Spring fire has slowed.

Today the firefighters continued work on reinforcing the perimeter road boundaries to prevent the fire from spreading beyond when the fire flares up as conditions become drier. They are also lining archaeological sites, private property and other fire-sensitive resources near the fire area.

Smoke is expected to be light and mostly visible in the area of the fire along County Road 73. Summit Mountain Trail 68 is temporarily closed due to the fire activity.

Spring fire smoke reaches Williams area

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WILLIAMS — The smoke in Williams, Garland Prairie, Sherwood Forest and Parks area is originating from the 2554-acre Spring Fire centered about 9 miles south east of Williams. The fire started on July 2 and was converted to a managed fire to burn off excess fire fuels.

On Tuesday the fire could be seen burning atop Davenport Knoll. The smoke is heavy, at times, along County Road 73, also known as South Road or Perkinsville Road. At night, when the temperatures drop, the smoke travels lower to the ground and may become heavy in Williams and the surrounding area.

There is a 60% chance of thundershowers this afternoon and 30-to 40% throughout the weekend. If rains come it could cause problems for fire managers who are trying to keep the fire burning. If the storms bring mostly lightning, we could see more fires starting.

In either case, campers are reminded to take care with their campfires and make sure they are completely out when leaving. Fire managers set boundaries which they hope to keep the fire from crossing. Fires started outside those boundaries cause problems with management efforts.

Springs Fire continues to meet management objectives

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Smoke from Spring fire visible from Williams, but County 73 currently unaffected.

Smoke from Spring fire visible from Williams, but County 73 currently unaffected.

WILLIAMS — The 410-acre, lightning-caused Springs Fire continues to meet fire management objectives, allowing natural fire to play its part in the ecosystem, improving both wildlife habitat and overall forest health. Crews are monitoring growth and evaluating the need for actions to keep the fire at a low to moderate intensity. The potential for continued growth depends on a variety of factors to include weather conditions, potential fuel continuity and winds.

Fire managers performed blacklining operations, yesterday, on the south side of County Road 73, also known as the “South Road” between Forest Road 354 (near Kunde Knoll) to Forest Road 3117. County Road 73 will now serve as a boundary to stop or eliminate fire growth to the north. Today blacklining may be conducted along boundaries near private lands, as the Springs Fire moves closer to sections of private land within the fire area.

Light impacts of smoke can be expected in the Garland Prairie and Sherwood Forest areas as winds are forecasted out of the southwest. Smoke may be visible in the Bellemont and I-40 area, Dogtown Lake and White Horse Lake vicinity. Over the next several days the wildfire is expected to move up Summit Mountain, where smoke may be more visible from a greater distance.

The fire, which started July 2, is located 9 miles southeast of Williams, near Davenport Knoll, to the west of Summit Mountain. No closures exist at this time, however campers are advised to be cautious when selecting campsites along Forest Road 354 and Forest Road 110. Although smoke was visible from Williams today, camp sites along County 73 are unaffected.

Springs Fire expected to grow despite recent precipitation

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Kaibab Forest Service photo.

Kaibab Forest Service photo.

WILLIAMS — The Springs Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has slowly continued to grow to 240 acres, despite recent precipitation. The wildfire, which was started by lightning July 2, is located 9 miles southeast of Williams near Davenport Knoll, just west of Summit Mountain.

Fire managers continue to pursue a number of objectives, first and foremost, both the safety of the general public and firefighters on the ground. At the same time, teams are allowing natural fire to play its role in the ecosystem, enhancing wildlife habitat and improving forest health.

Recent actions to manage the fire have included: removing small trees and brush away from infrastructure such as power lines and communication sites, protecting fire-sensitive archeological sites, and range fences. Burning around perimeter roads, also known as blacklining, to limit the fire’s growth in specific directions has already occurred on sections of Forest Road 354 and future operations could potentially include County Road 73, also known as Perkinsville Road, or the “South Road,” and Forest Road 110 depending on the movement of the fire.

About 15 fire personnel are currently assigned to the Springs Fire. Resources include a fuels crew, one engine, and one dozer, all from the Williams Ranger District. Depending on future movement of the fire, additional resources could be called in to assist.

While very little smoke has been visible over the last few weeks, drier conditions in the forecast are expected to potentially increase fire activity and smoke production. Fire managers expect the fire to remain at low to moderate intensity as it moves through the forest, which should keep smoke production and impacts at relatively low levels. Due to prevailing winds, smoke will largely be pushed towards the northeast, towards Sherwood Forest and Garland Prairie vicinities. At this time there are no closures associated with the Springs Fire.