Some Wildfires Are Managed

Flagstaff, AZ (August 8, 2011) – Several low-intensity, lightning-caused wildfires on the Coconino National Forest are being managed for natural resource objectives. These objectives allow fire to play its natural role as custodian of the forest, reducing accumulated fuel and recycling nutrients. With warmer and drier weather forecast this week, fire activity and smoke will increase. Although there are no area closures in effect, forest visitors will see signs for fire activity in the immediate area of these fires.

Rocky Fire

Over the weekend, crews treated approximately 600 acres surrounding the Rocky Fire to contain the fire within a pre-determined area. Planned ignitions of 200-300 acres per day will continue through this week around Jones Mountain. Smoke will be visible from I-17, Forest Highway 3, and the Verde Valley. This fire is managed by the Red Rock Ranger District.

Rocky Fire Facts

Behavior: Low intensity. The fire is staying in the ponderosa pine understory.

Start Date: July 18, 2011

Location: 2 miles south of Stoneman Lake near Rocky Gulch.

Size: 800 acres. Anticipate growth up to 6500 acres.

Sandrock and Zeus Fires

These two wildfires are being managed together on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Fire crews ignited up to 500 acres today northeast of Hwy 260. The intent is to burn along the highways over the next few days so that smoke impacts will diminish by next weekend. Smoke will impact Highways 260 and 87, especially at night and early morning. Electronic signs are posted along both highways to alert drivers. The Forest Service is coordinating with the Arizona Department of Public Safety to assure safe driving conditions, but drivers should slow down and take extra caution if driving in that area.

Smoke will flow down Pine Canyon and be visible in Pine, Strawberry and Verde Valley.

Sandrock and Zeus Fire Facts

Behavior: Low intensity. The fire is staying in the ponderosa pine understory.

Start Date: July 21 and 28, 2011

Location: Near junction of Highways 260 and 87.

Size: Sandrock 450 acres, Zeus 70 acres. Anticipate growth up to 16,000 acres over the next 3 weeks.

Scout Fire

Fire crews are igniting 300 acres today. Smoke will be visible from Payson, Pine, and Blue Ridge area. Managed by Mogollon Rim Ranger District.

Scout Fire Facts

Behavior: Low to moderate, burning in the ponderosa pine understory.

Start Date: July 21, 2011

Location: 6 miles south of Clints Well, near Forest Road 141H and Forest Road 320

Size: 500 acres; could grow to 2100 acres

Bolt Fire

The Bolt Fire is inactive. Crews continue to monitor.

Bolt Fire Facts

Behavior: Little activity.

Start Date: July 11, 2011

Location: Approximately 6 miles northeast of Munds Park, off Forest Road 132A

Size: 1,780 acres; no further growth anticipated.

Fire managers recognize the need to minimize smoke impacts to the communities as much as possible and use several tactics to do so while managing these wildfires including slowing fire growth and intensity when ventilation conditions aren’t as favorable, and conducting firing operations earlier in the day to allow smoke to disperse before nightfall.

To learn more about fire and smoke activity on the Coconino National Forest, visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino, follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/#!/CoconinoNF

or contact your local ranger station:

Mogollon Rim Ranger Station (Blue Ridge): 928-477-2255

Red Rock Ranger Station (Sedona): 928-203-7500 (open on weekends.)

Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-526-0866.