North Zone fire managers plan to begin prescribed fire operations on Monday (Nov. 12, 2018) and continue through all of next week on up to 3,000 acres on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, depending on weather conditions, fuel moisture and smoke dispersal on any given day.
Specifically, fire managers plan to treat acres in the following four project locations through the week in order to improve forest health and reduce the risk of unnaturally severe wildfire:
Favorable weekend weather conditions limited fire growth yesterday on the Cat Fire. Crews took advantage of lighter than anticipated winds and higher humidity to focus on reconnaissance to the north-northwest, reinforcing the fire’s western flank, and planning options for closure recommendations to the Kaibab National Forest Supervisor.
The Cat Fire continues to spread slowly to the southeast, creeping along the forest floor and occasionally flaming up in areas where there are dense pockets of unburned fuel.
“The fire is creating a mosaic of burned and unburned patches within the wilderness,” said North Kaibab District Ranger Randall Walker. “It’s doing what fire has naturally done here, enhancing the wilderness character and creating a diverse landscape.”
Resources:
Total of 102 personnel including two hotshot crews, nine engines, and two water tenders
Active fire behavior was seen on the Cat Fire today, resulting in the consumption of an estimated 800 acres. Fire spread mainly downslope to the east and south predominately in ponderosa and pinyon-juniper fuel types.
Overview
Date reported: August 6, 2018
Size: 2,118 acres
Location: The Cat Fire is about 25 miles southeast of Jacob Lake in the Saddle Mountain Wilderness on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
A slight increase in moisture and monsoon activity on the Cat and Stina Fires occurred yesterday and is expected today as well. This is a blessing and a curse for firefighters. Incident Commander Mike Uebel notes that moisture can moderate fire behavior, but strong downdrafts can make for erratic fire behavior and fire movement on areas of the fires not receiving moisture.
As fire behavior progresses, the Cat Fire-Stina Fire Incident Commander Mike Uebel stresses the need for public and firefighter safety.
Due to the decreasing risk of fire danger, the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest will lift all fire restrictions across the district on Monday, July 16, at 8 a.m.
To date, many areas of the district have received the adequate amount of precipitation needed to warrant restrictions being lifted. However, visitors are always expected to use caution with campfires and other potential ignition sources.
Fire managers plan to burn piles on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest tomorrow through Friday, weather permitting.
The Pine Hollow wildfire received significant moisture yesterday, and as a result rain showers moderated fire behavior on the lightning-caused fire resulting in no growth in the last 24 hours. However, as the weekend approaches a drying trend is forecasted for the Kaibab Plateau, and with that trend fire managers anticipate smoke sightings to increase.
Fire personnel also responded to three new lightning-caused fires within the last 48 hours. There has been a total of 10 new lightning-caused starts on the North Zone within the last two weeks.
Fire managers plan to burn piles on each of the three ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest starting tomorrow and continuing through Friday. The piles are the result of forest restoration efforts, and the goal of burning them is to further reduce fuels that could feed high-intensity wildfire.
North Kaibab Ranger District
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