Fires Safely Perform Natural Role in Forest
Flagstaff, AZ (July 30, 2011) – Recent weather has provided Fire Managers on the Coconino
National Forest with opportunities to manage several wildfires for their
ecological benefits. The Bolt, Rocky, Sandrock, and Scout fires were
started by lightning from the recent storms. The location of these fires
and the moisture that came with the storms have provided ideal conditions
for the fires to burn at an intensity where they can safely perform their
natural role in the forest.
Ecosystems in the southwest evolved with fire, and depend on the role of
fire in the system to remain healthy. These fires clean up the understory
of the forest, consuming downed logs, branches, pine needles, old stumps
while reducing fuel loads and lowering the chances of high-severity
wildfire under drier conditions. Fire also returns nutrient-rich ash to
the soil, promoting the regeneration of native grasses and forbs in the
understory, which improves wildlife habitat.
However, with all fire comes smoke. “Smoke impacts to local communities is
something we consider very seriously in our management of wildfires,†says
Russell Copp, Forest Fire Management Officer. “Some level of smoke is
inevitable, but we will continue to mitigate impacts as much as possible.
We’d much prefer smoke from these lower intensity fires than that of
uncontrolled wildfire.â€
Fire managers monitor weather conditions and use strategies to minimize
smoke impacts as much as possible. Slowing fire’s progression on days when
ventilation conditions are poor and conducting operations earlier in the
day when smoke dispersal is best are two examples to help reduce the amount
of smoke that settles into valleys overnight.
These fires may burn for several weeks, but are primarily dependent on the
amount of precipitation received. Fire managers are continually assessing
fire behavior and smoke impacts altering their management strategies when
necessary to minimize smoke.
There are no road closures due to these fires at this time, but travelers
need to be aware of the presence of smoke, fire crews and equipment.
Bolt Fire
Over the last few days there has been minimal activity on the Bolt Fire due
to rain, but nighttime smoke has been following canyons and drainages into
the Munds Park and Sedona areas. The fire has reached the boundaries that
fire mangers established initially; it will continue to smolder within the
interior as it runs its course. Ventilation conditions today are dispersing
the majority of smoke away from communities, but the Munds Park and Sedona
residents should expect to notice a considerable amount of smoke again
tonight and tomorrow morning. Over the next several days, activity and
smoke will greatly diminish.
Behavior: Isolated smoldering of logs. Fire activity is expected to
continue to decline.
Start Date: July 11, 2011
Location: Approximately 6 miles northeast of Munds Park, off Forest Road
132A
Size: 1,650 acres
Rocky Fire
Smoke is expected to funnel into the Verde Valley in the evenings and early
morning hours. This fire is being managed by the Red Rock Ranger District.
Behavior: Light. Burning in the ponderosa pine understory. No torching of
trees has been observed.
Start Date: July 18, 2011
Location: Off Stoneman lake Road, near Rocky Gulch
Size: 36 acres
Sandrock Fire
Smoke will funnel into Calf Pen Canyon and the Fossil Springs Wilderness
during the evening and early morning hours. No smoke from this fire is
expected to impact the Blue Ridge area. This fire is being managed by
Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
Behavior: Light. Burning in the ponderosa pine understory. No torching of
trees has been observed.
Start Date: July 21, 2011
Location: off Highway 260, near Twenty-Nine Mile Lake
Size: 150 acres
Scout Fire
Light smoke is expected to impact the Blue Ridge area in the early morning
hours. This fire is being managed by the Mogollon Rim Ranger District
Behavior: Light. Burning in the ponderosa pine understory. No torching of
trees has been observed.
Start Date: July 21, 2011
Location: Near Forest Road 141H and Forest Road 320
Size: 50 acres
To learn more about fire and smoke activity on the Coconino National
Forest, visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino or contact your local ranger
station.
Mogollon Rim Ranger Station (Blue Ridge): 928-477-2255
Red Rock Ranger Station (Sedona): 928-203-7500
Flagstaff Ranger Station: 928-526-0866
