Coconino National Forest fire managers have planned several prescribed burns next week throughout the forest due to predicted favorable weather and wind conditions. These burns could be cancelled or postponed if conditions change.
FLAGSTAFF RANGER DISTRICT
A1 Mountain Project
When: Planned ignition will be Tuesday and Wednesday (April 17, 18). Ignitions typically begin around 8 a.m.
Heavy wooded areas ignited by the Gate 13 Fire this week are still burning today at Camp Navajo.
Rain and snow has reduced some burning timber to smolders; however, the moisture and cold temperatures have created mud and ice on the roads.
Camp Navajo Fire Department is reporting no issues at this point and will continue to monitor the fire until it is 100 percent extinguished.
Incident command for the Gate 13 Fire is scheduled to downsize from an integrated team of Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs personnel to Camp Navajo Fire Department tomorrow morning.
This decision comes with reports of 75 percent containment of the fire and a weather forecast favorable to fire suppression for the rest of the week.
Camp Navajo Fire Department is responding to a fire that was initiated in the southwest corner of Camp Navajo near Volunteer Canyon. The Gate 13 Fire started Feb. 6 during demolition operations. The Gate 13 Fire is approximately 830-acres in an area that precludes active fire suppression and remains within the established containment lines.
Camp Navajo Fire Department and facility equipment operators have cut firebreaks around 98% of the fire in an effort to contain the fire to its current boundary.
Name: Boundary Fire
Reported: June 1, 2017
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 35%
Size: 10,465 acres
Resources: 363 personnel
The Boundary Fire is approximately 30 percent contained and is estimated at 8,622 acres. Monday afternoon, forecasted isolated thunderstorms brought gusty winds and light precipitation to the Boundary Fire. Crews made a big stride today securing private property parcels and fire lines which increased containment from 18 percent to 30 percent. Cloud cover and increased relative humidity allowed fire to move along the ground, promoting healthy consumption of dead and down fuel returning nutrients to the soil.
Warmer and dryer weather conditions are expected over the weekend which could slow progress on the Boundary Fire, as fire crews work slowly and methodically to back the fire down the mountain. This will allow for better control reducing the chances of the fire front pushing uphill and creating intense heat which would adversely affect the tree canopy. It is important that fire crews continue with ignitions during dry weather as it allows for consumption of the decadent fuels on the ground, decreasing the heavy accumulation of fuels on the mountain.
Coconino National Forest fire managers are utilizing a recent lightning-caused wildfire north of Bellemont to help maintain a healthy ecosystem by allowing fire to creep across the landscape and clear forest debris and dead wood.
The Hickok Fire began August 5 about four miles north/northwest of Bellemont and is currently 50 acres, moving primarily toward the northeast.
Fire managers on Coconino National Forest (NF) are planning a maintenance prescribed burn beginning tomorrow, June 2, throughout the week near A-1 Mountain that will be very visible to Flagstaff residents.
The A-1 Project burn consists of 645 acres and will likely be burned in blocks of about 200 acres each day from Tuesday through Thursday, depending on conditions. The burn is located approximately six miles west of Flagstaff and a mile north of I-40 near A-1 Mountain.
© {(copyright-date)} Copyright AZEIN