Kaibab National Forest

Roads in the Kaibab National Forest are snowy, slushy, icy and, in some areas, completely impassable. Although most remain open, forest roads are not maintained for winter travel. The Forest Service is urging visitors to plan ahead, use good judgement, and exercise caution. 

Even a few inches of snow can obscure icy roads and soft shoulders where vehicles can become stuck. Snow drifts may be much deeper than they appear. Mud can also be deeper than expected and is just as likely to cause a vehicle to become stuck.

As part of continuing efforts to reduce hazardous fuels and prevent catastrophic wildfires, Kaibab National Forest firefighters are planning to conduct pile burns on about 700 acres near Williams on Friday. These piles are located near Clover Road and along I-40, and weather conditions are expected to result in some smoke impacts on the highway and in town.

With recent winter storms providing extensive snow cover across much of the Kaibab National Forest, firefighters are taking advantage of prime conditions to reduce hazardous fuels on the landscape. Over the coming weeks, Forest Service firefighters will ignite piles of thinned trees and brush in several locations on both the North and South zones of the Kaibab.

Prescribed fire pile burning will commence across the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest for the remainder of the fall and into the winter season.

Fire officials on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are currently suppressing the Burro Fire. The Burro Fire, discovered on October 9th, was caused by lightning and has grown to approximately 7 acres. The fire is located approximately seven miles south of Williams near Forest Road 42 near Jackass Knoll, approximately 0.5 miles north of the Bill Williams Loop Road/Forest Road 108.

Fire crews on the Williams Ranger District are monitoring a new natural-caused wildfire discovered on Sunday, October 9th. The Burro Fire is estimated at 2 acres and is approximately seven miles south of Williams near Forest Road 42 on Jackass Knoll, approximately 0.5 miles north of the Bill Williams Loop Road/Forest Road 108.

This will be the final update for the Murray 2 Fire. The Murray 2 Fire has remained at 3,237 acres and 100% containment since Sunday, October 2nd.

The Bill Fire, located on the northeast side of Bill Williams Mountain is currently 3/10th acre in size. Crews hiked back to the fire today, improved the fireline perimeter and are now mopping up. The fire is 100% contained as of today. Smoke may still be visible as interior fuel and downed logs continue to burn.

This morning, crews are responding to two new fire starts on the Williams Ranger District.

A lightning storm passing through the area last night started a new fire on the northeast side of Bill Williams Mountain’s steep slope area. It was reported at approximately 5:45 a.m. this morning. The Bill fire is currently at 3/10th of an acre. Smoke is visible from town. Crews hiked up from the ski area early this morning and responded with a full suppression strategy. Six firefighters built line around the fire and are now mopping up.