Tag Archives: Tusayan

Scott fire area enters rehabilitation phase

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TUSAYAN — With no growth over several days and mop up activities nearing completion, fire managers on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are now entering the rehabilitation stage on the Scott fire. Crews are working to improve upon the landscape with intent to preserve the integrity of the environment and maintain a desirable healthy condition in the forest after the fire occurrence.

Kaibab National Forest photo.

Kaibab National Forest photo.

Heavy equipment including an excavator and a loader are being utilized to move large amounts of material back onto the disturbed surfaces of land that were previously cleared to establish control lines for the fire.

A “BAER” team (Burned Area Emergency Response) has arrived and a risk assessment of the fire vicinity is currently underway. The purpose of the BAER program is to identify hazards caused by the fire and then implement emergency actions to reduce threats to life and property. Rehabilitation actions will inevitably stabilize and prevent unacceptable resource degradation resulting from the fire. This includes activities such as restoring fire lines installed by hand crews and dozers to a more natural condition which in turn will deter the public from using them as roads and trails. It will also minimize erosion and sediment delivery to water bodies and sensitive drainages.

“This work is critical to avert cascading negative effects and long duration damage to the affected land” said Kaibab National Forest Soil Scientist Kit MacDonald. “This process will not only help provide for public safety, but will also shorten the overall recovery time of the impacted areas.”

Road stabilization maintenance will begin on a short section of forest road 307 near the fire perimeter. Short-term closures may occur and visitors are urged to avoid travelling through the area until work is completed.

A nine mile section of the Arizona Trail will remain closed to the public, however an alternate detour route has been provided adjacent to the closed portion on forest road 310. Forest officials will re-open the trail once it is deemed safe for public access.

Flight restrictions imposed over wildfires near Tusayan

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image013TUSAYAN — The two lightning-caused wildfires that are being managed to improve forest health on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are now being actively suppressed to ensure public and firefighter safety. Drier conditions combined with higher wind speeds prompted managers to adjust plans, however the fires continue to accomplish land management objectives that were originally identified.

The 679-acre Airstrip Fire is 50% contained. It has shown no growth over night and is still holding within the designated planning area. Engine crews will continue to patrol and mop up along containment lines working toward full containment. Smoke will continue to be noticeable but will be light with minimal impacts to Tusayan.

The Scott Fire continues to be active growing approximately 110 acres yesterday bringing the total burned area to 2485 acres. Crews are assessing the terrain to establish a safe approach in order to begin constructing control lines as close as possible to the active fire edge. Additional resources have been brought in to hasten the direct attack approach. With higher winds predicted in the short term forecast, managers are striving to have control lines in place before the expected winds arrive.

A temporary flight restriction has been implemented over the area of the fire in order to allow fire aircraft to work safely without conflicts from touring aircraft in the high traffic corridor near Grand Canyon.

An area surrounding a 9 mile section of the Arizona Trail and has been closed by special order (Order Number: 07-16-07-F) for the purpose of ensuring public safety. Trail users are directed to follow an alternate detour route along forest road 310 adjacent to the closed section of trail. Members of the public are asked to avoid driving into areas where fire personnel are working to ensure firefighter and public safety.

Both fires will continue to produce some visible smoke that may be seen from the communities of Tusayan, Valle, Cameron, Tuba City, and from both rims of the Grand Canyon.

Airstrip Fire reaches objectives, Scott Fire to be suppressed

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TUSAYAN — Due to changing weather conditions in the forest that are now causing higher risks and exposure to firefighters, Officials have decided to implement a suppression strategy for the wildfires being managed on the Tusayan Ranger district on the Kaibab National Forest.

The Airstrip Fire has currently reached the perimeters within the planning area that were pre-set to stop forward progression and is no longer expected to grow. Crews successfully completed final ignitions along the south east boundary of the fire yesterday evening and will now begin mop up and patrolling to hold containment lines in place. Approximately 679 acres were burned and managers are pleased with the results which met the desired objectives that were identified for this fire. Although smoke will continue to be visible, volume is expected to decrease dramatically over the next few days as the fire settles.

The Scott Fire experienced much higher winds over the last two days which influenced a significant increase in fire behavior causing an acceleration in growth bringing the total burned area to 1730 acres. Officials continue to observe positive effects that correlate with land management objectives however strategies have been changed to ensure the protection of fire personnel and the public.

“With warmer temperatures and higher winds predicted over the next several days, we have decided that suppression is the best course of action at this time” said Tusayan District Ranger Christina Pearson. “Firefighter and public safety is our number one objective and we will only engage this fire when there is a high probability of success without putting people at risk.”

Both fires will continue to produce some visible smoke that will be seen from the communities of Tusayan, Valle, Cameron, Tuba City, and from both rims of the Grand Canyon. Smoke is expected to decline significantly from the Airstrip Fire but will remain more noticeable from the Scott Fire over the next few days.

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.

Shoulder widening project underway on SR 64 near Grand Canyon Airport and Town of Tusayan

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The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is performing a shoulder widening project along State Route 64 (SR 64) near the town of Tusayan in Coconino County beginning at the Grand Canyon National Airport access road (milepost 234 to 235), skipping the town of Tusayan, and ending just south of the southern boundary of the Grand Canyon National Park (milepost 237).

This project is part of ADOT’s Statewide Shoulder Widening Program and will improve lane departures for motorists on SR 64.

What to expect:

  • Work to be performed during daylight hours, Monday – Thursday; Fridays as needed
  • No nighttime, weekend or holiday work is anticipated
  • Construction is anticipated to be completed fall, 2016
  • Access for both north- and southbound travel will be accommodated

During construction lane closures can be expected to accommodate crews and equipment. Traffic control will be primarily lane shifts that will allow for north- and southbound travel with minimal delays. Delays can be anticipated; please allow for extra time for travel in the construction zone.

For more information please visit the project website at:
www.azdot.gov/sr64shoulderwidening.

ADOT works to inform the public about planned roadway restrictions, but there is a possibility that unscheduled closures or restrictions may occur. Weather can also affect a project schedule.

Prescribed Fire Planned for Tusayan Ranger District Friday and Saturday

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TUSAYAN — Due to above normal precipitation and cooler temperatures over the last month, conditions on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are within prescriptive levels and are suitable for fire managers to continue treatment of the 8,000-acre Russell Prescribed Fire project southeast of Tusayan.

Crews plan to begin ignitions near the area of Russell Tank and the Arizona Trail beginning Friday and expect to complete a 429-acre unit by the end of the following day. Smoke may be visible from Highways 64 and 180, and from the communities of Valle and Tusayan, but is not expected to impact residential areas.

Fire managers strive to minimize smoke impacts and will only conduct ignitions when conditions exist that will allow smoke to ventilate away from sensitive areas. Smoke is expected to disperse to the northeast during the day. Residual smoke may settle into drainages and low lying areas overnight but will dissipate rapidly throughout the morning hours. The Arizona Trail will remain open during operations, but hikers are advised to use caution and observe signs and directions posted along the trail.

Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly throughout the season. The public can find this information online or through the recorded hotline. Contact your local Kaibab National Forest office for additional information.

Public workshop to be held in Tusayan for Grand Canyon Airport master plan study

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TUSAYAN — The first public information workshop for the master plan study for the Grand Canyon National Park Airport, owned and operated by the Arizona Department of Transportation, will take place on May 25 in Tusayan.

The public will be able to review data collected by the study team regarding aviation forecasts and how it relates to current airport facility capabilities. Members of the community will also be able to provide comments and input on the study.

The meeting will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at Tusayan Town Hall, 845 Mustang Drive.

Airport master plans are required by the Federal Aviation Administration. The update for Grand Canyon National Park Airport will evaluate the facility’s capabilities and role, forecast future aviation demand and plan facility improvements to meet that demand over the next 20 years.

In addition to public meetings, comments and questions can be provided to the study team online atazdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan, by phone at 1-800-574-6334 or by mail to Grand Canyon Airport Master Plan Study, c/o Coffman Associates, 4835 E. Cactus Road, Ste. 235, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

For more information on the Grand Canyon Airport and the master plan study, please visitazdot.gov/gcnairportmasterplan.

Kaibab recruiting for Youth Conservation Corp

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azcc1The Arizona Conservation Corps is currently recruiting for Youth Conservation Corps crew members in communities adjacent to the Kaibab National Forest. Applications will be accepted through May 15. This is an outstanding opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 18 to learn conservation and job skills and earn financial support for college.

Crew members are being sought from the Williams, Tusayan and Fredonia/Kanab areas as well as other nearby communities. Of special interest, the Tusayan area crew is known as an Ancestral Lands Youth Conservation Corps crew and is specifically recruiting Native American students.

For additional information or to apply, the contact is Judy Tincher, Arizona Conservation Corps, 928-853-7760 or judy@conservationlegacy.org.

Grand Canyon open free through the 24th

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Sunday Grand Canyon 2016-04-17 008GRAND CANYON — The Grand Canyon Park is open through Sunday the 24th for National Park Week. The next free days will be from Thursday August 25th through Sunday August 28th.

From Williams take highway 64 through Valle. From Flagstaff, take scenic highway 180 to Valle, then north on 64 to the Canyon. You are required to turn your headlights on while traveling highway 64.

We advise extreme caution when traveling to the Canyon on highway 64 because this event normally brings out the idiots who speed and pass with no regard for human life. The Canyon has been around a long time and will likely be there when you arrive, so observe the 65 mile per hour speed limit. It is a good idea to start out early in the day because parking fills up fast.

You should consider a private tour through Marvelous Marv’s Grand Canyon Tours. He gets you to the Grand Canyon safely, takes care of parking and tells you about the sights. He can arrange the tour to fit your schedule. His tour is available throughout the year.

The park operates an excellent bus service that takes you just about everywhere in the park. When you find a parking space, we recommend using the bus service.Sunday Grand Canyon 2016-04-17 012

Kaibab National Forest to offer firewood permits

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will offer firewood cutting permits for the 2016 fuelwood season beginning April 15 for the Williams and Tusayan districts and May 2 for the North Kaibab district.

The minimum cost for a personal use fuelwood permit is $20, which is good for four cords of wood. Firewood cutting permits can be purchased at the following locations and during the specified hours Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays:

  • Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Road, Williams; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (928) 635-5600
  • Tusayan Ranger District, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Grand Canyon; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; (928) 638-2443
  • North Kaibab Ranger District, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; (928) 643-7395

The 2016 firewood cutting season runs from April 15 to Dec. 31 for the Williams and Tusayan districts and from May 2 to Nov. 30 for the North Kaibab district.

Free-use permits may also be available for specific areas on the forest. Individuals seeking such permits should check with the appropriate ranger district office for availability, locations and other information.

All permits issued will include a map and detailed cutting regulations as well as load tags, which must be physically attached to each ¼ cord of firewood and visible from the rear of the vehicle. The goal of this load tagging system is to ensure accountability for the amount of wood removed from the forest.

The removal of fuelwood is permitted only from National Forest lands on the district for which the permit is issued. Fuelwood cutters are reminded to take note of property boundaries and cut only on National Forest lands.

Fuelwood cutters should be aware that chainsaws can throw sparks and ignite grasses and brush. Always carry a shovel and a fire extinguisher or water in case of a fire start. Additionally, all chainsaws must be equipped with a stainless steel spark arrestor screen. Cutters should check with forest offices periodically for information about the implementation of fire restrictions.

Detailed firewood cutting information and maps for each ranger district are available on the Kaibab National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/fuelwood.