Arizona News – Fire managers with the Coconino National Forest are currently monitoring a lightning-caused wildfire that was reported the morning of October 25 approximately 11 miles south of Flagstaff on the west side of Interstate 17 near the Newman Park exit.
The Smith Fire is currently 55 acres within the burn scar of the Scott Fire of 2023 and moving at a low rate of spread with no structures threatened.
Fire managers are considering this wildfire as a candidate to manage for forest health but waiting to see what the next couple of days brings in precipitation.
If the Smith Fire survives the coming weather and continues to look like a favorable candidate for managing, more information will be shared through news releases and an Inciweb account for the fire will be established to share regular updates.
Managing fires such as the Smith Fire helps with forest health by consuming hazardous forest fuels such as pine needles, cones, and dead wood, and helps create a buffer in an area that is typically susceptible to the direction of catastrophic wildfires during traditional southwest winds.
Hicks Fire
The Hicks Fire was reported on Sunday at 3 p.m. in an area 7 miles southwest of Clints Well, south of West Clear Creek, and is currently under investigation. Currently estimated at 111 acres, firefighters are working to suppress this wildfire. Smoke may be visible to those in the immediate area.
No prescribed burn projects are planned for the week of October 28.
SMOKE IMPACTS
Fire managers take air quality concerns seriously and seek to minimize smoke impacts to the greatest extent possible. Despite the benefits of prescribed burns, we are aware that members of the community can be sensitive to the smoke produced. We coordinate closely with partners to keep communities informed about projects and potential smoke, as well as try to mitigate impacts to communities as much as possible. One tool to use to track air quality and smoke impacts is fire.airnow.gov.
A new Smoke Complaint Hotline has been established for the public at 928-226-4608 for the public to leave their name and number if they would like to speak to fire leadership regarding smoke impacts and prescribed burn concerns.