Verde Valley News – Crews are continuing work on the Wilbur fire; a lightning-caused wildfire located on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) of the Coconino National Forest.
- Acreage: 5,228
- Containment: 26 percent
- Start date: May 21, 2023
- Total personnel: 150
- Location: 8.5 miles west of Clints Well (Mogollon Rim Ranger District, Coconino National Forest)
- Fuels: Ponderosa pine and pinyon-juniper
Highlights: Firefighters were able to successfully complete 12 miles of tactical firing operations along Forest Road (FR) 142 and tie into State Route (SR) 260. The Arizona Department of Transportation coordinated delays as ignitions approached SR 260 for firefighter and public safety. Firefighters and road crews remained on scene overnight to monitor the fire perimeter and smoke conditions along highways.
Operations: Tactical firing operations can be expected to continue through the weekend. Aerial ignitions with one Type 3 helicopter and one Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) are being used to fill in unburned areas in-between ground firing operations and the main fire. Fire managers plan to continue taking advantage of favorable conditions and the opportunity that the Wilbur Fire provides, aiding in low intensity surface fire with tactical firing operations.
The Wilbur Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy to meet multiple resource objectives. Those objectives include the release of nutrients back into soil and the reduction of hazardous fuel accumulations. Objectives also include protecting critical infrastructure, watersheds, wildlife habitat and culturally sensitive areas from future catastrophic wildfire.
Weather: Temperatures are forecasted to be between 38 and 73 degrees. Winds will be out the south at 5 to 10 miles per hour (mph) in the morning, becoming southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts of 30 mph by 10 a.m. Excellent ventilation is forecasted where smoke can disperse out of the surrounding area throughout the day.
Closures: The Coconino National Forest has issued an area closure to protect public health and ensure firefighter safety. The full closure order and map are available at fs.usda.gov/alerts/coconino/
Safety: The Wilbur Fire is burning in an area with an extensive road system that firefighters are using for travel and as holding features — including SR 87 and SR 260.
In the interest of public and firefighter safety, forest visitors are asked to travel with caution as fire crews will be entering and exiting roadways during operations.
Traffic delays can be expected throughout the weekend along SR 87 and SR 260, where escort by pilot car may be provided by the Arizona Department of Transportation.
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft and drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found online at nifc.gov/drones.
Smoke: Impacts from smoke are expected to be light throughout the weekend and visible from multiple locations including the Verde Valley and along Lake Mary Road (FH3), SR 260 and SR 87. Smoke will remain visible as operations continue through the weekend. As temperatures cool overnight smoke may linger in drainages and valleys until daytime winds surface.
Fire updates are posted on: inciweb.wildfire.gov, https://twitter.com/coconinonf
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