Coconino National Forest leadership has issued a temporary closure order for public safety for the Coldwater Fire area where interior pockets of unburned fuel will continue to have fire activity.
The temporary closure could be rescinded before the Sept. 1 expiration date if conditions warrant it. The closure was issued to ensure visitors to the forest are kept out of harm’s way as pockets of unburned forest fuels are scattered throughout the interior of the fire's perimeter.
The Coldwater Fire, approximately 4 miles south of Clints Well, was slowed yesterday by rain and thunderstorms which rolled through the Mogollon Rim area and are in the forecast for today.
Growth from yesterday’s burnout operations was minimal, with 50 acres being burned. This brings the total fire acres up to just under 2,300 acres.
Fire crews will continue to secure the fire area and conduct hazardous tree removal along sections of state Route 87. Arizona Department of Transportation is on scene to manage traffic, as needed, for cutting operations along Route 87.
Fire managers plan to utilize an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to monitor, gather intelligence, and conduct burnout operations on the Maroon Fire in areas which are inaccessible or too hazardous for firefighters.
The Forest Service has experimented with UAS on incidents in the past, but the Maroon Fire incident management team will be the first to officially order and operate this specialized equipment on an active incident to meet operational objectives.
Firefighting crews are planning to conduct burnout operations this evening as warmer, drier temperatures and lighter winds are forecast for the upcoming week.
Crews will begin conducting hand ignitions along Forest Service roads, which will allow firefighters to strengthen control lines and promote a low-intensity backing fire. Firing operations may continue throughout the week as weather conditions allow.
A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) has assumed management responsibilities of the Maroon Fire, which is currently 100 acres and had slight growth on Sunday due to gusty winds.
Fire managers with the Coconino National Forest are making use of a lightning-caused fire to benefit the landscape and maintain a healthy ecosystem by allowing the fire to fulfill its natural role and consume forest debris.
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