The current hot and dry weather that Northern Arizona is experiencing, coupled with the below average monsoonal moisture, is causing some areas of the Museum Fire to show increased fire activity and smoke.
wildfire
The Boulin Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has grown to 756 acres benefiting forest health, reducing hazardous fuels, and improving protection of the communities within the urban interface.
The Saber Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire south of Turkey Butte lookout, is being allowed to burn and fulfill its natural role consuming forest fuels while firefighters keep it in check.
The Ikes Fire has grown to 85 acres due to warmer, drier weather over the past few days. An increase in fire activity is occurring on south facing slopes due to more direct sunlight allowing vegetation to dry out from recent monsoonal activity. Fire continues to spread along the forest floor through the understory and duff layer.
The visible increase in smoke from the Castle Fire is due to the warmer and drier trend in weather. Yesterday, the Castle Fire continued to spread into Lookout Canyon generating smoke both from its movement south to the confinement lines and from interior pockets of dead and down vegetation fanned by light winds. These pockets of dead and down fuel will continue smoldering for several weeks or until a significant amount of wetting rain occurs on the fire area.
Smoke was visible yesterday over the Castle Fire as it grew an additional 662 acres while it established itself in unburned fuel east of Forest Road 226 in the Lookout Canyon area. Following four days in a row of no growth, the combination of increased daytime temperatures, light winds, no precipitation and available fuels were enough to encourage additional spread. Aerial ignitions and firing operations were also successfully conducted to help check and direct the fire's movement through the canyon.
The Ikes Fire has seen minimal growth over the past 2 days due to multiple rain showers over the fire area. "Due to moisture, fire activity has been limited," stated Paul Lemmon, Ikes Fire Incident Commander. "But the fire continues to burn within the duff layer of needles, leaf litter, and downed logs along the forest floor."
The Castle Fire's acreage continues to hold at 16,538 for the third day in a row. Precipitation and increased humidity have affected fire behavior causing a temporary stall in the fire's growth. With warm, dry days in the forecast, the fire may regain momentum and continue its path through remaining unburned fuels in the area of Lookout Canyon.
Location:
- Approximately 1⁄2 mile east of Fort McDowell Reservation
- Approximately three northeast of Rio Verde
- 15 miles northeast of Scottsdale
- Nearest town is Cave Creek
Start Date: August 3, 2019 Size: 2,690 acres Percent Contained (or completion): 0% Cause: Lightning
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