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.”

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