Flagstaff AZ (August 1, 2014) – With recent drier conditions, activity on Bar M Fire has increased. Yesterday crews conducted burnout operations to secure the northwestern perimeter, and plan to complete all necessary burnout operations in the next several days, securing the interior and southern portions of the fire. They expect the fire to grow approximately 1,200 acres by the weekend.
This will be the last of the large burnout operations for this fire. By completing these in earnest over the course of few days, crews will be reducing the long-term duration of the heaviest smoke. Activity on the Bar M Fire should decrease significantly this weekend and continue to become lighter thereafter.
Smoke will be very noticeable today through Saturday morning, with the majority of it dispersing to the northeast. Overnight, smoke will settle around Long Park and Mormon Lake Village as well as drift down-canyon toward I-17 and the Verde Valley.
Smoke from the Sitgreaves Complex on the Kaibab National Forest near Parks is likely to continue to be noticeable in the Flagstaff, Sedona and Verde Valley communities over the next several days. Coconino NF fire managers continue to work closely with our neighboring forests, municipal fire departments, and the AZ Department of Environmental Quality to monitor smoke impacts.
Bar M Fire current size: Approximately 5,400 acres.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 29, 2014) – UPDATE 13 – The Bar M Fire southwest of Mormon Lake received additional precipitation yesterday and continues to smolder and creep. Over the next couple days, crews on scene will be conducting small burnout operations to stay ahead of the main fire and prepare for drier conditions forecast for later this week. Some smoke may be in noticeable in the immediate area, but will be light. Size remains at approximately 4,600 acres.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 28, 2014) – UPDATE 12 – Heavy rain fell over much of the Bar M Fire yesterday. Fire behavior is significantly subdued today, though some areas within the interior continue to smolder and creep. Crews remain on scene. Smoke will be much lighter today and tonight. Size remains at approximately 4,600 acres.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 27, 2014) – UPDATE 11 – Last night smoke from the Sitgreaves Complex on the Kaibab National Forest drifted toward Flagstaff, Sedona, and the Verde Valley. Good winds and ventilation conditions near the Bar M Fire helped the smoke disperse away from Mormon Lake Village and Long Park, though light smoke drifted southerly toward I-17 and the Verde Valley in the evening. With variable winds in the forecast, light smoke may continue to be noticeable in these areas overnight and in the early mornings. Fire managers continue to work with neighboring forests, municipal fire departments, and the Az Department of Environmental Quality to monitor smoke impacts.
BAR M FIRE
Crews secured the northeastern perimeter of the Bar M Fire southwest of Mormon Lake yesterday and moved westerly with ignition operations ahead of the main fire. Today crews will continue westerly progress with burnout operations to secure perimeters. The area has not received precipitation in the past 10 days so fire has been active, but continues to burn at a healthy, moderate severity across the landscape. Current size: 4,538 acres
ISLAND FIRE FINAL
Containment lines crews created on the southern portion of the fire are holding, and the natural barriers surrounding the rest of the area are restricting the Island Fire’s movement. The main fire is creeping and smoldering within the interior. Current size: 143 acres. This will be the final update on the Island Fire unless significant changes occur.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 26, 2014) – UPDATE 10 – Monsoonal winds pushed smoke into the Flagstaff, Sedona and Verde Valley areas from the Sitgreaves Complex on the Kaibab National Forest near Parks, AZ. With variable winds in the forecast, smoke is likely to drift toward these areas again for the next several days. Fire managers continue to coordinate with neighboring forests, municipal fire departments and the Az Department of Environmental Quality to monitor smoke impacts.
BAR M FIRE
- Crews continue efforts on the Bar M Fire southwest of Mormon Lake solidifying perimeters with burnout operations. Fire managers plan to complete these burnouts earlier in the day to allow the majority of smoke to disperse before nightfall. Most of the Bar M Fire smoke settling overnight in Long Park and Mormon Lake Basin. Some has also been drifting down canyon toward the Verde Valley. The area has not received precipitation in the past 10 days so fire has been active, but continues to burn at a healthy, moderate severity across the landscape. Current size: 3,450 acres
ISLAND FIRE
- The lightning-caused Island Fire was discovered near the Pothole Fire south of West Clear Creek Wilderness. Yesterday crews constructed containment line and conducted burnout operations, protecting a nearby powerline. This is not a candidate to be used for resource benefits; today’s plan of action includes additional burnout operations to reinforce hand-lines. Much of the fire is surrounded by natural barriers that will help restrict fire’s movement in the area. Overnight smoke will follow West Clear Creek toward the Verde Valley. Current size: 80 acres
The Pothole, General, and Willard Fires are showing little activity. A few scattered logs and debris are smoldering, and crews will continue to monitor the area.
FAY FIRE
- The Fay Fire caused by a single-engine aircraft crash northwest of Sedona is 100% contained. The Bear Mountain Trail is open. Fay Canyon Trail remains closed, and will be reassessed next week. Final size: 40 acres
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Flagstaff AZ (July 25, 2014) – UPDATE 9 – Crews on the Bar M Fire southwest of Mormon Lake made good progress creating a solid buffer along the northern portion of the fire area. On a hill west of Long Park, firefighters used burnout operations – initiating fire at the top of the hill – to moderate fire as it backed slowly downslope. Crews also used existing roads as anchors and conducted burnout operations to consume heavy dead and down fuels from the 2007 Birdie Fire.
Today’s plan of action is to work toward the west to continue solidifying perimeters. Fire managers are striving to complete the large burnout operations earlier in the day to allow the majority of smoke to disperse before nightfall. The Bar M fire is currently 3,000 acres and continues to burn at a low severity across the landscape.
Fire managers observed little to no activity on the Pothole, General, and Willard Fires yesterday. Some scattered logs and debris continue to smolder.
Most of the Bar M Fire smoke is moving to the east and settling overnight in Long Park and Mormon Lake Basin. Some has also been drifting down canyon toward the Verde Valley.
The Flagstaff, Sedona, and Verde Valley areas may also notice light smoke from the Sitgreaves Fire on the Kaibab National Forest near Parks AZ.
Yesterday a new fire was discovered near the Pothole Fire. The Island Fire is approximately 10 acres and in a very rugged area with little access except by ATV’s or walking. This is not a candidate to be used for resource benefits. Hotshot crews on scene will be constructing containment lines and conducting burnout operations and anticipate work to continue at least through the weekend. Smoke from this fire will follow West Clear Creek toward the Verde Valley.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 24, 2014) – UPDATE 8 – Smoke has significantly diminished in the Sedona, Verde Valley, and Blue Ridge communities. Though some smoke may still be noticeable at times, residents in these areas should expect it to continue to lessen in the coming days.
On the Bar M Fire southwest of Mormon Lake, crews continue to conduct burnout operations to solidify perimeters and maintain moderate fire behavior. The majority of smoke is moving to the east and settling overnight in Mormon Lake Basin. Some may drift down canyon toward the Verde Valley.
Today is the last crews are focusing operations on the northeastern boundaries of the planning area – nearest Long Park. Beginning tomorrow, the majority of fire activity will be on the western perimeter where crews will conduct burnout operations to secure control lines.
The Bar M fire is currently 2,300 acres and continues to burn at a low severity across the landscape. All other information from yesterday’s update [below] remains the same.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 23, 2014) – UPDATE 7 – Fire activity was lower on the Willard, Pothole, and General Fires yesterday and produced less smoke, however it continues to settle in the Sedona and Verde Valley areas overnight. Yesterday’s poor ventilation didn’t allow much opportunity for the smoke to disperse. Today’s forecast calls for ventilation get better throughout the day which should help lift the smoke. Over the next several days, fire behavior and smoke on these three will continue to decrease. Residents in Sedona and Verde Valley should expect it to continue to become lighter, but still settle in the area in the evenings.
Crews are conducting burnout operations on the Bar M Fire, and expect size and smoke to increase. The majority of smoke is moving to the east and settling overnight in Mormon Lake Basin. Some may drift down canyon toward the Verde Valley.
“It is important to remember that these are wildfires and with fire comes smoke. We cannot simply ‘turn them off’,’ but we can influence how they move through the landscape and we can utilize tactics to minimize the duration of the heaviest smoke impacts,” says Rick Miller, Fire Management Officer on the Flagstaff Ranger District.
“With any wildfire, we develop and implement a clear strategy. We determine boundaries where control lines will be effective and safe for firefighters, conduct burnout operations to solidify those perimeters, and use burnouts to keep fire behavior moderate as it progresses.” Completing the large burnout operations in a few days minimizes the overall duration of heavy smoke.
The efforts are paying off. Flames have helped to raise crown heights (removing low-laying branches) and consumed heavy fuels from the forest floor – all of which could have been “ladders” leading to crowning fires in hotter drier conditions. Reducing the risk of severe fire in the future provides a safer space for the public and firefighters. In addition, nutrients that were stored in the dead vegetation were released back into the soils, which will allow healthy forbs and grasses to appear. This type of fire is fulfilling a role that no other thinning or mechanical treatment can replace.
Bar M Fire
- Size: Approximately 1,600 acres
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected.
- Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
- The public should expect an increase of smoke tonight in the Mormon Lake area. It may also drift down-canyon toward the Verde Valley
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, including a portion of Forest Roads 127 and 126.
Willard Fire
- Final Size: 2,020 acres – no growth, increased number is due to more accurate mapping. Fire crews and equipment remain on scene to monitor fire activity as pockets within the interior continue to burn.
- The immediate area is closed for public safety, but the main roads and trails are open.
Pothole Fire
- Final Size: 2,200 acres. Very little activity within the perimeters, and not much smoke.
- Forest Road 142F, as well as the Tramway and Maxwell Trails leading into the West Clear Creek Wilderness are temporarily closed for public safety.
General Fire
- Final Size: 2,089 acres.
- Subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community should anticipate smoke decreasing in the coming days.
- Fire managers hope to reopen the Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the Arizona Trail soon.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 22, 2014) – UPDATE 6 – The Willard, Pothole, and General Fires are no longer growing. Fire will continue to run its course within the perimeters, but the smoke they produce will decrease over the next several days.
Crews are still conducting burnout operations on the Bar M Fire, and expect size and smoke to increase; behavior remains moderate and beneficial to the landscape. The majority of smoke is moving to the east and settling overnight in Mormon Lake Basin. Some may drift down canyon toward the Verde Valley, but humidity is rising as we approach the weekend which will reduce fire behavior – thus smoke production – overnight.
Burnouts are used to manage where and how the fire progresses, and by doing so in earnest over a shorter amount of time crews reduce the overall duration of heavy smoke – days instead of weeks. Crews on the Bar M fire are currently focusing firing operations in the southwestern portion of the planning area, solidifying the perimeter.
Fire managers are already seeing positive results. Flames have helped to raise crown heights (removing low-laying branches) and consume heavy fuels from the forest floor. This will help reduce the severity of future fires in the area, creating a safer space for the public and firefighters. In addition, nutrients that were stored in the vegetation were released back into the soils, which will allow healthy forbs and grasses to appear.
Bar M Fire
- Size: Approximately 500 acres.
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected.
- Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
- The public should expect an increase of smoke tonight in the Mormon Lake area. It may also drift down-canyon toward the Verde Valley
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, including a portion of Forest Roads 127 and 126.
Willard Fire
- Final Size: Approximately 2000 acres – no growth, increased number is due to more accurate mapping. Fire crews and equipment remain on scene to monitor fire activity as pockets within the interior continue to burn.
- Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
- The immediate area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Pothole Fire
- Final Size: 2,200 acres – no further growth to occur. Fire is burning within the perimeters that crews solidified over the last several days.
- Location: 22 miles north of Payson
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flames moving across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected.
- Forest Road 142F, as well as the Tramway and Maxwell Trails leading into the West Clear Creek Wilderness are temporarily closed for public safety.
General Fire
- Final Size: 2,089 acres – no further growth to occur. Fire is burning within the perimeters that crews solidified over the last several days.
- Location: 15 miles northeast of Payson, off Forest Roads 300 and 95, south of FR 719.
- Smoke: Subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community should anticipate an increase in smoke; it is expected to settle in the area overnight.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the Arizona Trail are temporarily rerouted.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 21, 2014) – UPDATE 5 (next update will be Tuesday morning) – Fire managers continued burnout operations on all four fires today, solidifying perimeters on of the Bar M and General Fires, and moving fire across the landscape within the interiors of the Pothole and Willard Fires. Burnouts are a tactic used by crews to manage where and how the fire progresses, and by doing so in earnest over a shorter amount of time crews reduce the overall duration of heavy smoke – days of heavier smoke instead of weeks of moderate smoke.
Over the next week, the public can anticipate similar fire activity and smoke from the General and Pothole Fires until mid-week; smoke from the Willard Fire to continue to decreasing; and fire activity and smoke to increase on the Bar M Fire. The forecast currently calls for a slight chance of moisture this weekend.
Willard Fire
- Size: Approximately 1800 acres – no growth. Fire crews and equipment remain on scene to monitor fire activity.
- Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
- The immediate area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Bar M Fire
- Size: Approximately 500 acres.
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected).
- Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
- The public should expect an increase of smoke tonight in the Mormon Lake area.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Pothole Fire
- Size: 1,300 acres – no growth
- Location: 22 miles north of Payson
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flames moving across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected. Fire is burning within the perimeters crews solidified over the last several days.
- Forest Road 142F, as well as the Tramway and Maxwell Trails leading into the West Clear Creek Wilderness are temporarily closed for public safety.
General Fire
- Size: 800+ acres
- Location: 15 miles northeast of Payson, off Forest Roads 300 and 95, south of FR 719.
- Smoke: Subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community should anticipate an increase in smoke; it is expected to settle in the area overnight.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the Arizona Trail are temporarily rerouted.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 21, 2014) – UPDATE 4 (next update will be Monday evening) – Crews on the Willard Fire worked overnight to finish major burnout operations and solidify perimeters. The fire will no longer grow in size and will smoke begin diminishing. The public should expect to see some moderate behavior as the fire runs its natural course within the interior.
“Instead of prolonging the number of days the Willard Fire produced heavy smoke, we worked through the night to burn a large area around the perimeter and stop the fire’s forward progress,” says Incident Commander Rigo Flores. Completing this effort in a few days will ultimately minimize the overall amount of time smoke impacts the community. “Last night’s smoke was the heaviest. It moved into Sedona as well as the Camp Verde area, but we can expect it to greatly decrease over the next few days.”
Beginning today, fire managers anticipate activity increasing on the Bar M fire southwest of Mormon Lake and plan to begin larger-scale burnout operations throughout the burn area to help maintain fire behavior and solidify perimeters. Smoke will increase in the vicinity. Most will disperse to the east and northeast with some settling around Mormon Lake Village overnight.
Fire managers on the Mogollon Ranger District plan to complete ignition operations on the General and Pothole Fires by mid-week, which should also result in decreased smoke by the weekend.
Willard Fire
- Size: 1800 acres
- Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
- A contingent of fire crews and equipment will remain on scene to monitor fire activity.
- The immediate area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Bar M Fire
- Size: Approximately 300 acres. Fire managers anticipate significant growth and smoke production today.
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected).
- Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
- Smoke is noticeable from Lake Mary Road, and Mormon Lake Village.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Pothole Fire
- Size: 1,300 acres. No additional growth expected, forward progress has been stopped
- Location: 22 miles north of Payson
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flames moving across the forest floor. Some isolated torching, which is natural and expected. Fire managers are conducting burnout operations to reinforce perimeters.
- Forest Road 142F, as well as the Tramway and Maxwell Trails leading into the West Clear Creek Wilderness are temporarily closed for public safety.
General Fire
- Size: 800 acres
- Location: 15 miles northeast of Payson, off Forest Roads 300 and 95, south of FR 719.
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths
- Smoke: Subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community should anticipate an increase in smoke; it is expected to settle in the area overnight.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the Arizona Trail are temporarily rerouted.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 20, 2014) – UPDATE 3 (next update will be Monday morning) – With similar weather conditions in the forecast, fire managers expect the Willard, Bar M, Pothole and General Fires to grow significantly again today. Though the acreages are increasing, fire severity remains constant, continuing to provide positive results and fulfill fire’s natural role in the forest’s ecosystem.
Crews are actively managing each fire using specific tactics to ensure flames progress across the landscape in a beneficial manner, and within pre-determined boundaries. In particular, crews are conducting burnout operations to reinforce perimeters, limit severity, and limit rate of spread as fire moves toward areas with denser fuels and steeper terrain.
Smoke will be noticeable – especially overnight in Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, and Camp Verde. Though the cool night air reduces fire behavior resulting in less smoke production overnight, the cool air also pushes smoke into low-laying areas across the landscape. As the mornings begin to warm, smoke will lift and disperses upwards. Smoke impacts to the community are a key factor in how crews manage fire. Working closely with the Department of Environmental Quality, municipal fire departments, and neighboring forests to monitor smoke impacts continues to be a top priority.
Willard Fire
- Size: 1800 acres; Fire managers anticipate the fire growing an additional 800 acres by the end of the day
- Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
- Behavior: Fire activity will mostly take place along the western edge of the planning area today, closest to Oak Creek Canyon. Because of this, heavy smoke is expected to be especially noticeable in the canyon and Sedona – especially overnight. Fire managers expect today to be the last day of significant growth and burnout operations, so smoke should begin to decrease after tonight.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Bar M Fire
- Size: 170 acres
- Behavior: Creeping, smoldering. Minimal growth.
- Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
- Smoke is noticeable from Lake Mary Road, and Mormon Lake Village.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Pothole Fire
- Size: 1,000 acres
- Location: 22 miles north of Payson
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flames moving across the forest floor. Some individual torching, which is natural and expected. Fire managers are conducting burnout operations to reinforce perimeters.
- Smoke was very noticeable in the Camp Verde area last night and early this morning. Expect similar activity overnight and in the early mornings over the next several days.
- The immediate fire area and Forest Road 142F are closed for public safety.
General Fire
- Size: 650
- Location: 15 miles northeast of Payson, off Forest Roads 300 and 95, south of FR 719.
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths
- Smoke: Subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community should anticipate an increase in smoke; it is expected to settle in the area overnight.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the Arizona Trail are temporarily rerouted.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 19, 2014) – UPDATE 2 (next update will be Sunday morning) – With today’s continued drier conditions, crews are anticipating significant growth on the four lightning-caused fires that continue to fulfill their natural and necessary role in forest health and fuels reduction.
Fire managers are using burnout operations to ensure the fires are progressing through the landscape at appropriate levels of severity and within pre-determined boundaries. Crews on the Willard Fire plan to conduct 400-500 acres of burnout operations today around Ritter Mountain to limit the fire’s rate of spread and severity as flames move toward areas with denser fuels and steeper terrain.
The public should smoke to increase. Overnight, smoke will likely settle in the same fashion as it has the last few days, rising and dispersing as the morning warms. Crews will continue to work closely with the Department of Environmental Quality, municipal fire departments, and neighboring forests to monitor smoke impacts.
Willard Fire
- Size: 300 acres; Expected to be 600-1000 acres by the end of the day
- Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
- Behavior: 1 to 2-foot flame lengths.
- Smoke is very noticeable from I-17, Munds Park, Kachina Village, Hwy 89A, Oak Creek Vista, as well as portions of the Sedona area. Expect smoke to settle around Sedona, upper Oak Creek Canyon and possibly I-17 overnight.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Bar M Fire
- Size: 170 acres
- Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
- Behavior: 1 to 2-foot flame lengths moving slowly across the forest floor
- Smoke is noticeable from Lake Mary Road, and Mormon Lake Village
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Pothole Fire
- Size: 225 acres
- Location: 22 miles north of Payson
- Behavior: Creeping, smoldering, minimal growth.
- Smoke: Camp Verde should anticipate smoke to settle in the area during the evening and early morning hours for the next several days.
- Closures: The immediate fire area and Forest Road 142F are closed for public safety.
General Fire
- Size: 230
- Location: 15 miles northeast of Payson, off Forest Roads 300 and 95, south of FR 719.
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths
- Smoke: Subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community should anticipate an increase in smoke; it is expected to settle in the area overnight.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the Arizona Trail are temporarily rerouted.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 18, 2014) – UPDATE 1 (next update will be Saturday mid-morning) – Fire activity increased this afternoon on the four fires crews are managing for resource benefits; This increase was anticipated and all fires continue to result in positive effects on the landscape – reduced fuels, nutrients recycled into the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat.
Similar growth and smoke production is expected for the next several days. Crews will continue using various tactics to ensure the fires move through the landscape at appropriate intensities and within pre-determined boundaries. In addition, fire managers will be working closely with the Department of Environmental Quality, municipal fire departments, and neighboring forests to monitor smoke impacts. For the next several days, the public should anticipate smoke affects similar to today and last night.
Willard Fire
- Size: Approximately 200-300 acres
- Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
- Behavior: 1 to 2-foot flame lengths moving slowly across the forest floor.
- Smoke is very noticeable from I-17, Munds Park, Kachina Village, Hwy 89A, Oak Creek Vista, as well as portions of the Sedona area. Expect smoke to settle around Sedona, upper Oak Creek Canyon and possibly I-17 overnight.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Bar M Fire
- Size: Approximately 25 acres
- Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
- Behavior: 1 to 2-foot flame lengths moving slowly across the forest floor
- Smoke is noticeable from Lake Mary Road, and Mormon Lake Village. The community of Munds Park may also notice smoke.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no other road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Pothole Fire
- Location: 22 miles north of Payson
- Behavior: Creeping, smoldering, minimal growth.
- Smoke: Camp Verde should anticipate smoke to settle in the area during the evening and early morning hours for the next several days.
- Closures: The immediate fire area and Forest Road 142F are closed for public safety.
General Fire
- Location: 15 miles northeast of Payson, off Forest Roads 300 and 95, south of FR 719.
- Behavior: 1-2 foot flame lengths, effectively consuming dead and down dead and down vegetation across the forest floor.
- Smoke: Subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community should anticipate an increase in smoke; it is expected to settle in the area overnight.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the Arizona Trail are temporarily rerouted.
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Flagstaff AZ (July 18, 2014) – Fire managers on the Coconino National Forest are utilizing four lightning-caused fires to benefit forest health. These fires are burning at a low intensity and mainly across the forest floor – the way fire historically and naturally would in this ecosystem – and will be used to accomplish several objectives including restoring wildlife habitat, promoting healthy vegetation, and reducing fuels and the risk of severe fire thus creating safer conditions for residents, visitors and firefighters.
With drier conditions in the forecast for the next several days, crews are anticipating fire behavior and smoke to increase and will be using various tactics to ensure the fires move through the landscape at appropriate intensities and within pre-determined boundaries. In addition, fire managers will be working closely with the Department of Environmental Quality, municipal fire departments, and neighboring forests to monitor smoke impacts.
Crews will continue actively managing these fires while objectives are being met and weather and other conditions allow.
Willard Fire
- Size: Approximately 15 acres
- Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
- Behavior: Creeping, smoldering
- Smoke may be noticeable from I-17, Munds Park, Kachina Village, Hwy 89A, Oak Creek Vista, as well as portions of the Sedona area.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Bar M Fire
- Size: Approximately 25 acres
- Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
- Behavior: Creeping, smoldering
- Smoke will be noticeable from Lake Mary Road, Munds Park, and Mormon Lake Village.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
Pothole Fire
- Size: Approximately 115 acres
- Location: 22 miles north of Payson
- Behavior: Creeping, smoldering
- Smoke may be noticeable in the Camp Verde area during the evening and early morning hours.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.
General Fire
- Size: Approximately 110 acres
- Location: 15 miles northeast of Payson, off Forest Roads 300 and 95
- Smoke may affect local subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community.
- The immediate fire area is closed for public safety. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion of the Arizona Trail are temporarily rerouted.