Date: May 21, 2013
Soldier Basin Fire Update
SOLDIER BASIN FIRE UPDATE - May 21, 7 a.m.
Location: Sierra Vista Ranger District, Coronado National Forest, 5 miles east of the Nogales Airport8
Estimated Size: approximately 3,800 acres
Containment: 8%
Cause: human caused, under investigation
Resources Assigned: approximately 200 personnel including 2 helicopters, 12 engines, 2 Type 1 hotshot crews, 3 Type 2 hand crews, 6 water tenders, and miscellaneous overhead
Fire Behavior: moderate with some short uphill runs
Terrain: steep, rocky
Fuel: grass and brush (mesquite and oak)
Structures Threatened: none
Tuesday’s Weather: Variable west winds10-15 mph. Temperatures will be in the 80s to lower 90s. Relative humidity will range from 6 to 11%.
Objectives: Keep the fire south and west of Flux Canyon, west of Forest Road 49, north of the Solder Basin drainage, and east of the Coronado National Forest boundary.
Summary: Today fire personnel will continue to improve line. Firefighters also plan to continue aerial ignitions this afternoon on the north flanks of the fire. Firefighters plan to ignite fire along the ridgetops that will gradually back downslope. Expect to see continued fire growth and smoke as firefighters continue aerial ignitions over the next 5-6 days, weather permitting. As the fire moves closer to prepared lines, firefighters will use hand ignition to burn along their these firelines to bring fire back to the main body of the fire to assist in containing the fire.
Smoke: Residents east and southeast of the fire will likely experience increased smoke impacts over the next few days. Smoke is likely to settle into canyons and valleys and other low-lying areas when air temperatures cool at night. Warmer temperatures and light winds usually help with smoke dispersal during the day. Breathing smoke is not healthy for anyone, but some people are at greater risk, including people with heart or lung disease, children, and the elderly. If it looks smoky, you may want to limit or eliminate exercise or other outdoor activities. For additional resources, please visit http://wildlandfire.az.gov/links.asp#Smoke.
Fire Information: Visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov and follow @wildlandfireAZ on Twitter
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Date: May 21, 2013
Fire Restrictions in SE Arizona
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Southwest Fire Restrictions Hotline 1-877-864-6985
Dry Conditions Trigger Fire Restrictions in Southeast Arizona
Tucson, Ariz. (May 20, 2013) --- Effective Wednesday, May 22, the Gila District of the Bureau of Land Management, all districts of Coronado National Forest, Saguaro National Park, Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Tumacacori National Historical Park, and the Arizona State Forestry Division will implement campfire and smoking restrictions in southeastern Arizona.
Beginning May 22, 2013, and until rescinded, the following are prohibited:
• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove other than in a developed campsite or picnic area where grills are provided.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site/improved site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
Fireworks are always prohibited year-round on federal lands.
Violation of restrictions on federal lands is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual and up to $10,000 for an organization; or imprisonment for not more six (6) months or both. Violators also may be held personally responsible for reimbursement of fire suppression costs.
Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters possessing shut-off devices are allowed. When using a portable stove, make sure the area is clear of grasses and other fine fuels. Prevent stoves from tipping and starting a fire.
Fires in developed campsites or picnic areas where grills are allowed should never be left unattended and should be completely extinguished upon departure. Always, drown, stir, and repeat until the fire is cold to the touch.
Cigarettes should never be thrown out the window of a vehicle. Instead, ashtrays should be used in order to prevent wildfires. Always practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out cigarette butts while hiking or camping.
Maintain spark arrestors and don’t run power equipment on windy days. Never park a vehicle over dead grass, the catalytic converter can ignite the vegetation.
Fire conditions as well as localized closures and restrictions are subject to change. Because tribal, federal, state, and local mandates are different, they may have some differences in their restriction notices. For a more detailed explanation concerning agency restrictions and fire information in general, please contact the nearest land management agency office where you plan to work or play, visit http://wildlandfire.az.gov or call the toll free Southwest Fire Restrictions Hotline 1-877-864-6985.
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Date: May 20, 2013
Fire Restrictions on Tonto National Forest Start on May 22
General Fire restrictions on Tonto National Forest begin Wednesday, May 22
Release Date: May 16, 2013
All fireworks prohibited year-round
PHOENIX(May 16, 2013) – Drought conditions, hot temperatures, and increased fire danger have resulted in fire restrictions for the Tonto National Forest beginning at 8 a.m., Wednesday, May 22.
Most types of fire or fire-causing activities are prohibited across the entire Tonto National Forest.
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device is prohibited.
Restrictions also apply to smoking outside of a cleared area, operating internal combustion power tools, using welding equipment or torches with open flames, operating combustion engines without spark-arresting devices in effective working order, or discharging firearms except in taking game in accordance with Arizona hunting laws.
Use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices are allowed, and some developed campgrounds are also exempted from these restrictions. (Campground Restrictions list).
“We are going into restrictions due to rapidly decreasing fuel moisture and low humidity levels, as well as hot, dry, windy conditions going into the Memorial Day weekend,” said Tonto National Forest Fire Management Officer Clay Templin. “These precautionary measures are intended to enhance our visitors’ quality recreation experiences. Most areas of the Tonto National Forest remain available for recreation activity, including all the Salt River system lakes.”
“We continue to remind the public that all fireworks are prohibited on the forest at all times -- and this includes the use of exploding targets,” emphasized Templin. “We are highly concerned on the forest due to the increase of fires caused by recreational shooting in these continuing drought conditions. We have already had eight fire starts this year from this activity. We would like to prevent a repeat of the Sunflower fire that was caused by target shooting and burned 17, 6118 acres and cost $5.7 million in firefighting efforts.”
Violation of these fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months
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Date: May 20, 2013
Fire Restrictions on Coconino and Kaibab National Forests
NEWS RELEASE
Kaibab and Coconino National Forests
Kaibab Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Coconino Website: www.fs.usda.gov/coconino
For Immediate Release Contacts: Jacqueline Banks, 928-635-8314
May 20, 2013 Brady Smith, 928-527-3490
Fire Restrictions To Begin Wednesday on Coconino National Forest
and Parts of Kaibab National Forest
WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented at 8 a.m. Wednesday on the entire Coconino National Forest and on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest in order to protect public health and reduce preventable human-caused fires. Restrictions will not yet be implemented on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest due to different weather and fuels conditions.
Under the restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in developed campgrounds. Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are clear of flammable materials.
Implementation of fire restrictions is especially important given the potential for a critical fire weather pattern later this week. The forecast suggests that northern Arizona will be windy, warm and dry throughout the upcoming Memorial Day weekend and that Red Flag Warning conditions are likely to exist in many areas over the coming days.
Criteria used to determine when to implement fire restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels and available firefighting resources. Fire restrictions will remain in effect until the forests receive significant precipitation.
For additional information, visit the Coconino and Kaibab websites, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino and www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab. Information on fire restrictions across the state can be found at http://firerestrictions.us/az. For Arizona fire information, visit www.wildlandfire.az.gov.
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Date: May 18, 2013
Prescott National Forest Enters Stage I on May 22
PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
NEWS RELEASE
Prescott National Forest, 344 South Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ 86303 www.fs.usda.gov/prescott
For Immediate Release Contact: Debbie Maneely
May 17, 2013 928-443-8130
Prescott National Forest Implements
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on May 22
PRESCOTT, AZ (May 17, 2013) – Campfire and smoking restrictions will go into effect on the Prescott National Forest Wednesday, May 22, at 8:00 a.m. Forest managers have determined that key trigger points have been reached to warrant taking these restrictive actions. These include rapid drying of live and dead forest vegetation, escalating fire weather conditions and increased forest visitor use.
“In anticipation of increased visitation, we want to remind visitors that we all have a role to play in preventing human-caused fires”, said Deputy Fire Staff Officer Jeff Andrews. “We work closely with local agencies to coordinate fire restrictions and fire bans; and these restrictions will help to reduce the risk of a wildfire and protect our communities”.
The following fire restrictions will be in effect for the entire Prescott National Forest: Campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires (wood, charcoal, and coal burning) are prohibited on all Prescott National Forest lands, roads, and trails; except within developed recreation sites where grills and campfire rings are provided. (The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices is allowed providing such devices meet the fire under writer’s specifications for safety). Smoking is prohibited except within enclosed vehicles, buildings, or developed recreation sites where the area is cleared of all flammable material. Campfires are not allowed at the designated dispersed sites within the Prescott Basin. Metal posts identify designated dispersed sites with a number. Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands.
Know Before You Go! To help you understand where and when fire restrictions and possible closures exist, there are several resources available. The public can obtain additional fire information via the following: Arizona Fire Restrictions http://firerestrictions.us/az/ Public Lands in Arizona and New Mexico 1-877-864-6985 Prescott NF Fire Information Hotline: (928) 777-5799 Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/ Local Ranger Stations: Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 443-8000; Chino Valle Ranger District (928) 777-2200; Verde Ranger District (928) 567-4121
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Date: May 15, 2013
Red Flag Warning for Coconino and Kaibab National Forests
Red Flag Warning in Effect Today for Northern Arizona
WILLIAMS, Ariz. –
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning today until 8 p.m. that covers the Coconino National Forest and the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest.
Visitors to the Coconino National Forest and the Williams and Tusayan districts of the Kaibab National Forest are advised to refrain from having a campfire when Red Flag Warning conditions exist.
A Red Flag Warning occurs when the forecast shows strong wind and low relative humidity creating an increased potential for large fire growth.
For detailed weather information including warnings issued by the National Weather Service, visit www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/.
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05-21-13
Soldier Basin Fire Update
05-21-13
Fire Restrictions in SE Arizona
05-20-13
Fire Restrictions on Tonto National Forest Start on May 22
05-20-13
Fire Restrictions on Coconino and Kaibab National Forests
05-18-13
Prescott National Forest Enters Stage I on May 22
05-15-13
Red Flag Warning for Coconino and Kaibab National Forests
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