Date: September 26, 2011
TANNER FIRE ON PLEASANT VALLEY RD CLOSES PART OF HWY. 288
Tanner fire on Pleasant Valley Ranger District, Tonto National Forest
Part of Hwy. 288 closed
Pleasant Valley, Ariz. (September 26, 2011 – 1000 hrs.) – Pleasant Valley Ranger District fire specialists are managing the lightning-caused Tanner wildfire, which began on August 20 near the peak of Armer Mountain in the Sierra Anchas. Improved mapping of the fire area shows that the size of the fire is about 3,400 acres
“Today, we will continue to have air resources provide support for crews as they secure Hwy. 288 and build a fireline around the area where the fire crossed Hwy. 288,” stated John Thornburg, Fire Management Officer. “The fire remains within our management area and continues to burn heavy pockets of fuel which prevents catastrophic wildfires in the future.”
Due to the increased size of the fire, a Type 3 team will assume mangement of the fire today, and additional resources have been ordered.
Fire activity may be visible to visitors and residents in the Tonto Basin, Globe, and Young areas and also when looking south from SR 260.
Downdraft winds from a thunderstorm off Armer Mountain pushed the fire across Hwy. 288 Saturday evening around 7 pm and the fire burned through a dispersed camping area. No campers were present and no structures were lost.
Hwy. 288 is closed from Reynolds Creek south to the A-Cross Road.
For further information, call the Pleasant Valley Ranger District offices at 928-462-4300, or stay updated at www.fs.usda.gov/Tonto. To report a wildland fire, the fire emergency number is 866-746-6516, or dial 9-1-1.
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Date: August 19, 2011
COCONINO AND CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENTS OPEN ALL TRAILS
For Immediate Release
8/19/2011
Trails Reopen at Southeast Arizona Parks
Chiricahua National Monument and Coronado National Memorial continue their efforts to reopen trails and other park facilities as they are assessed and determined safe. Effective immediately, all trails at Chiricahua National Monument and Coronado National Memorial are open to the public. The Bonita Creek Campground at Chiricahua National Monument is also open; however, the scenic drive beyond the campground remains closed.
At Chiricahua National Monument some trails may have access issues. All visitors are encouraged to check with the visitor center for trail information and accessibility.
Hiking trails at both Chiricahua National Monument and Coronado National Memorial traverse burned landscapes. Visitors need to be aware of their surroundings. Hazard trees, flash floods, and mud flows are possible. The trails may be subject to temporary closures depending on weather conditions.
For more information please contact the Chiricahua visitor center at 520-824-3560 ext 0 or the Coronado visitor center at 520-366-5515 ext 0.
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Date: August 11, 2011
Northern Arizona Fires Update
NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
For Immediate Release
August 10, 2011
Contact: Karen Malis-Clark
Tel: 928-527-3492
Coconino NF Wildfire Update
Flagstaff, AZ – Several lightning-caused wildfires on the Coconino National Forest continue to be managed for natural resource objectives. These objectives allow fire to play its natural role as custodian of the forest, reducing accumulated fuel, recycling nutrients and improving wildlife habitat.
Rocky Fire
Planned ignitions of 200-300 acres per day continue through this week around Jones Mountain. Since this area has not experienced fire for a long time, fuel loading is heavy, resulting in heavier smoke. Smoke is visible from I-17, Forest Highway 3, and Verde Valley.
Rocky Fire Facts
Fire Closure: Effective August 11, the immediate Rocky Fire area southeast of Stoneman Lake is temporarily closed to provide public safety. The closure area is bounded by Forest Roads 230 and 230E on the south and east, 229 and 9240K on the west, and Stoneman Lake Road/FR 213 on the north. These roads remain open, however all forest roads, trails and camping within the closure area are closed to public access.
Behavior: Low intensity in ponderosa pine understory.
Start Date: July 18, 2011
Resources: 4 Engines, 8-person fuels crews and additional firefighters; 35 total. Managed by Red Rock Ranger District.
Location: 2 miles south of Stoneman Lake near Rocky Gulch.
Size: 1100 acres. Anticipate growth up to 5000 acres, over the next 1-2 weeks.
Sandrock and Zeus Fires
Fire crews ignited a two-mile strip along west side of Highway 260, with intent to burn along the highways this week so smoke impacts will diminish by the weekend. Smoke will impact Highways 260 and 87, especially at night and early morning. The Forest Service is coordinating with Arizona Department of Public Safety to assure safe driving conditions, but drivers should slow down and take extra caution if driving in that area. Drivers may encounter traffic delays due to fire operations and clearing trees along the highways. Smoke is flowing down Pine Canyon and Calf Pen Canyon and is visible in Pine, Strawberry, and Fossil Creek.
Sandrock and Zeus Fire Facts
Behavior: Low intensity in ponderosa pine understory.
Start Date: July 21 and 28, 2011
Resources: 4 Engines, 1 Hotshot Crew plus additional firefighters; about 45 total. Managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Location: Near junction of Highways 260 and 87.
Size: 850 acres. Anticipate growth up to 16,000 acres over the next 2-3 weeks.
Scout Fire
Fire activity has diminished. Smoke is visible from Payson and Pine. Smoke drifting into Blue Ridge area and through East Clear Creek Canyon late evening and early morning.
Scout Fire Facts
Behavior: Low intensity, in ponderosa pine understory.
Start Date: July 21, 2011
Resources: Crews are monitoring this fire. Managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Location: 6 miles south of Clints Well, near Forest Road 141H and Forest Road 320
Size: 775 acres; little additional growth anticipated.
Two additional small lightning-ignited wildfires are being monitored:
Diablo Fire, in pinyon-juniper near Long Lake.
International Fire, near McClintock Ridge along Mogollon Rim. This fire is boxed-in by previous prescribed fires.
Bolt Fire
The Bolt Fire is inactive. Crews continue to monitor.
Bolt Fire Facts
Behavior: Little activity.
Start Date: July 11, 2011
Location: Approximately 6 miles northeast of Munds Park, off Forest Road 132A
Size: 1,780 acres; no further growth anticipated.
Fire managers recognize the need to minimize smoke impacts to the communities as much as possible and use several tactics to do so while managing these wildfires including slowing fire growth and intensity when ventilation conditions aren’t as favorable, and conducting firing operations earlier in the day to allow smoke to disperse before nightfall.
Fire information and fire area maps are posted at www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino. Follow the Coconino National Forest on twitter for fire updates at http://twitter.com/#!/CoconinoNF
or contact your local ranger station:
Mogollon Rim Ranger Station (Blue Ridge): 928-477-2255
Red Rock Ranger Station (Sedona): 928-203-7500 (open on weekends.)
Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-526-0866.
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Date: August 9, 2011
Northern Arizona Fires Update
NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
For Immediate Release
August 5, 2011
Contact: Karen Malis-Clark
Tel: 928-527-3492
Coconino NF Wildfire Activity Update
Flagstaff, AZ – Several low-intensity, lightning-caused wildfires on the Coconino National Forest are being managed for natural resource objectives. These objectives allow fire to play its natural role as custodian of the forest, reducing accumulated fuel and recycling nutrients. With warmer and drier weather forecast through this weekend, fire activity and smoke will increase. Although there are no formal closures, forest visitors will see signs for fire activity in the immediate area of these fires.
Rocky Fire
Crews are creating control lines around the Rocky Fire, in preparation of ignition this weekend to “box-in” the fire. The fire size could increase by several hundred acres. Ignition will occur early in the morning to maximize smoke dispersal, and smoke will be visible from I-17, Forest Highway 3, and the Verde Valley. This fire is being managed by the Red Rock Ranger District.
Rocky Fire Facts
Behavior: Low to moderate smoldering and creeping. The fire is staying in the ponderosa pine understory.
Start Date: July 18, 2011
Location: 2 miles south of Stoneman Lake, near Rocky Gulch.
Size: 140 acres. Anticipate growth to several thousand acres.
Sandrock and Zeus Fires
These two wildfires are within the same area and are being managed together on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Fire crews are planning ignitions with drip torches along the control lines to “box in” the fire boundaries. Smoke may increase along the highways and drain into Calf Pen Canyon and Fossil Creek overnight. Drivers on Highways 87 and 260 will see electronic signs alerting them for smoke.
Sandrock and Zeus Fire Facts
Behavior: Light. The fire is staying in the ponderosa pine understory.
Start Date: July 21 and 28, 2011
Location: off Highway 260, near Twenty-Nine Mile Lake
Size: Sandrock 300 acres, Zeus 9 acres. Anticipate growth to several thousand acres.
Scout Fire
Fire crews are preparing for additional ignitions along control lines, similar to strategy on Sandrock and Rocky Fires. Planned ignitions will produce smoke which will be visible from Payson and Blue Ridge area community. Managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Scout Fire Facts
Behavior: Low to moderate, burning in the ponderosa pine understory.
Start Date: July 21, 2011
Location: 6 miles south of Clints Well, near Forest Road 141H and Forest Road 320
Size: 175 acres; could grow to 2000 acres.
Bolt Fire
The Bolt Fire received significant precipitation and is inactive. Crews continue to monitor.
Bolt Fire Facts
Behavior: Little activity.
Start Date: July 11, 2011
Location: Approximately 6 miles northeast of Munds Park, off Forest Road 132A
Size: 1,780 acres; no further growth anticipated.
Fire managers recognize the need to minimize smoke impacts to the communities as much as possible and use several tactics to do so while managing these wildfires including slowing fire growth and intensity when ventilation conditions aren’t as favorable, and conducting firing operations earlier in the day to allow the majority of smoke to disperse before nightfall.
To learn more about fire and smoke activity on the Coconino National Forest, visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino, follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/#!/CoconinoNF
or contact your local ranger station:
Mogollon Rim Ranger Station (Blue Ridge): 928-477-2255
Red Rock Ranger Station (Sedona): 928-203-7500 (open on weekends.)
Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-526-0866.
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Date: August 2, 2011
ROADS OPEN IN APACHE-SITGREAVES BURN AREAS
Select roads within burned area will re-open on the Apache National Forest for recreation opportunities
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) are working diligently to re-open areas within the Wallow Fire Emergency Closure on the Apache National Forest. A list of roads have been identified within the Wallow Fire burned area to open August 6, and the forest officials anticipate reopening additional roads by the end of August. Only roads on the ground within the fire perimeter that are marked with a white arrow will be open for motorized travel. According to ASNFs engineers, “Forest road characteristics have changed due to installation of drainage control features. Motorists are encouraged to use caution while traveling.”
“We are excited to begin reopening roads to the public, who have been very patient in allowing the Forest and Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) teams to implement treatments such as heli-mulching, seeding and the clearing of hazardous trees. Crews have also been installing rolling grade dips to accommodate increased runoff and white arrow signage indicating what routes are open,” said Forest Supervisor Chris Knopp. “We still have a lot of work to do, though, and we appreciate the public’s continued support and patience as we move forward with rehabilitation efforts throughout the burn area.”
Three key issues determine all decisions being made: public safety, protection of property, and protection of natural resources. Hazardous conditions, such as flash flooding, potential for falling trees pose exceptional problems; however, ultimately, safety is the responsibility of the forest users. The public is encouraged to ‘look up, look down and all around’ at their surroundings before entering any areas on any national forest, whether a fire has occurred or not.
Listed below are the Forest Service Roads (FR) that will be designated open on Aug. 6 by White Arrow Signs (any road without a white arrow closed):
Forest Road 57 to Sipes White Mountain Wildlife Area
FR 88 and 88B from Nutrioso to William’s Valley
FR 90 between Pat Knoll and Rudd Knoll
FR 249 from SR 191 to FR SR 273
FR 275 Double Cattle Guard to FR 851
FR 285 Water Canyon Road
FR 409 between SR 261 and SR 273
The Escudilla and Auger Canyon areas will remained closed.
Maps indicating open and closed roads will be available Thursday. For more information visit your local ASNFs Ranger District or the Forest Supervisor’s office. Roads open could be subject to change at anytime due to possible flash flooding, land slides, and hazardous trees.
For hunting information, contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department,
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Date: July 28, 2011
Coconino NF Fire Activity Update
Flagstaff, AZ - Recent weather has provided Fire Managers on the Coconino National Forest with opportunities to manage several wildfires for their ecological benefits. The Bolt, Rocky, Sandrock, and Scout fires were started by lightning from the recent storms. The location of these fires and the moisture that came with the storms have provided ideal conditions for the fires to burn at an intensity where they can safely perform their natural role in the forest.
Ecosystems in the southwest evolved with fire, and depend on the role of fire in the system to remain healthy. These fires clean up the understory of the forest, consuming downed logs, branches, pine needles, old stumps while reducing fuel loads and lowering the chances of high-severity wildfire under drier conditions. Fire also returns nutrient-rich ash to the soil, promoting the regeneration of native grasses and forbs in the understory, which improves wildlife habitat.
However, with all fire comes smoke. Smoke impacts to local communities is something we consider very seriously in our management of wildfires, says Russell Copp, Forest Fire Management Officer. Some level of smoke is inevitable, but we will continue to mitigate impacts as much as possible.
Wed much prefer smoke from these lower intensity fires than that of uncontrolled wildfire.
Fire managers monitor weather conditions and use strategies to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. Slowing fires progression on days when ventilation conditions are poor and conducting operations earlier in the day when smoke dispersal is best are two examples to help reduce the amount of smoke that settles into valleys overnight.
These fires may burn for several weeks, but are primarily dependent on the amount of precipitation received. Fire managers are continually assessing fire behavior and smoke impacts altering their management strategies when necessary to minimize smoke.
There are no road closures due to these fires at this time, but travelers need to be aware of the presence of smoke, fire crews and equipment.
Bolt Fire
Over the last few days there has been minimal activity on the Bolt Fire due to rain, but nighttime smoke has been following canyons and drainages into the Munds Park and Sedona areas. The fire has reached the boundaries that fire mangers established initially; it will continue to smolder within the interior as it runs its course. Ventilation conditions today are dispersing the majority of smoke away from communities, but the Munds Park and Sedona residents should expect to notice a considerable amount of smoke again tonight and tomorrow morning. Over the next several days, activity and smoke will greatly diminish.
Behavior: Isolated smoldering of logs. Fire activity is expected to continue to decline.
Start Date: July 11, 2011
Location: Approximately 6 miles northeast of Munds Park, off Forest Road 132A
Size: 1,650 acres
Rocky Fire
Smoke is expected to funnel into the Verde Valley in the evenings and early morning hours. This fire is being managed by the Red Rock Ranger District.
Behavior: Light. Burning in the ponderosa pine understory. No torching of trees has been observed.
Start Date: July 18, 2011
Location: Off Stoneman lake Road, near Rocky Gulch
Size: 36 acres
Sandrock Fire
Smoke will funnel into Calf Pen Canyon and the Fossil Springs Wilderness during the evening and early morning hours. No smoke from this fire is expected to impact the Blue Ridge area. This fire is being managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Behavior: Light. Burning in the ponderosa pine understory. No torching of trees has been observed.
Start Date: July 21, 2011
Location: off Highway 260, near Twenty-Nine Mile Lake
Size: 150 acres
Scout Fire
Light smoke is expected to impact the Blue Ridge area in the early morning hours. This fire is being managed by the Mogollon Rim Ranger District
Behavior: Light. Burning in the ponderosa pine understory. No torching of trees has been observed.
Start Date: July 21, 2011
Location: Near Forest Road 141H and Forest Road 320
Size: 50 acres
To learn more about fire and smoke activity on the Coconino National Forest, visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino or contact your local ranger station.
Mogollon Rim Ranger Station (Blue Ridge): 928-477-2255 Red Rock Ranger Station (Sedona): 928-203-7500 Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-526-0866
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Date: July 27, 2011
CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED Areas Affected by Wildfires Remain Closed
TUCSON, AZ (July 22, 2011) – Due to precipitation received across the Coronado National Forest, fire restrictions have been lifted on all ranger districts on the Forest. Rainfall has been sporadic, leaving portions of the forest dry. Visitors are advised to use caution with fire and never leave a fire unattended. Fires should be cold to the touch before departure.
As a reminder, all ranger districts on the Coronado have reopened, with area closures in place on some districts affected by wildfire and the potential for flooding.
Portions of the Douglas Ranger District are open. The Chiricahua Mountains remain closed to provide for public safety related to flooding and road reconstruction or stabilization following the Horseshoe 2 Fire. All forest roads (except those listed below), trails, and developed campgrounds within the Chiricahua Mountain Range north of Forest Road 74 (Tex Canyon/Rucker roads) remain closed. Within this area, the following roads will be open for public use as long as safety conditions permit:
• FR 42 East of Onion Saddle (Cave Creek Canyon)
• FR 42A – Herb Martyr Road
• FR 42B – between Portal and Paradise.
• FR 622 – South Fork of Cave Creek is open to pedestrians only.
• FR 74 – Tex Canyon to Rucker Canyon Rd
• Trail 280 – Silver Peak Trail
• Vista Point Trail
• Cave Creek Nature Trail
• Crystal Cave Trail
This closure will remain in effect until October 15, 2011, or until rescinded, whichever is earlier. For more information please call the district office at (520) 364-3468.
Portions of the Nogales Ranger District are open. To allow for public safety, Pena Blanca Lake remains closed, as does Forest Road 39 from Highway 289 (at Pena Blanca Lake) to Forest Road 4186 (approximately one to one and one-half miles east of Ruby, Arizona). This closure will remain in effect until July 31, 2011, or until rescinded, whichever is earlier. For more information please call the district office at (520) 281-2296.
Portions of the Sierra Vista Ranger District are open. Due to damage from wildfire and potential flooding, the district is closed at the Coronado National Forest Boundary starting at Ash Canyon area and north to Carr Canyon area. All roads and trails in the area are closed. Forest road (FR) 59 (Ash Canyon), FR 796 (Stump Canyon), FR 367 (Hunter Canyon), FR 56 (Miller Canyon), FR 386 (Carr Canyon) are closed. This closure will remain in effect until August 20, 2011, or until rescinded, whichever is earlier. For more information please call the district office at (520) 378-0311.
The Safford Ranger District is open. For more information please call the district office at (928) 428-4150.
The Santa Catalina Ranger District is open. For more information please call the district office at (520) 749-8700.
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Releases and Official Orders for Arizona |
09-26-11
TANNER FIRE ON PLEASANT VALLEY RD CLOSES PART OF HWY. 288
08-19-11
COCONINO AND CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENTS OPEN ALL TRAILS
08-11-11
Northern Arizona Fires Update
08-09-11
Northern Arizona Fires Update
08-02-11
ROADS OPEN IN APACHE-SITGREAVES BURN AREAS
07-28-11
Coconino NF Fire Activity Update
07-27-11
CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST FIRE RESTRICTIONS LIFTED Areas Affected by Wildfires Remain Closed
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Releases and Official Orders for Arizona
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