Emergency Information

Today, Maricopa County Department of Public Health and Arizona Department of Health Services learned that a teenage international traveler competing in the World Hip Hop Dance Championship at the Arizona Grand Resort in August has tested positive for measles and may have exposed others to the disease.

“Public Health is continuing to gather information on locations where this person may have visited during her time in Maricopa County. Measles is highly contagious and can expose individuals up to 2 hours after an infected individual has left the room,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for disease control at Maricopa County Public Health. “Because of this, it is important that anyone who was in the same place as this person, monitor for measles for 21 days after the exposure.”

Sunenshine added, “If you haven’t developed symptoms by Sept. 2, you are in the clear.”

As of today, Public Health has confirmed that this individual was infectious with measles at the following locations, dates and times:

• Arizona Grand Hotel, 8000 Arizona Grand Pkwy, Phoenix from Aug. 9-Aug. 11
• Sky Harbor Airport, Terminal 2, Aug 11 between 5 pm and 10 pm

THIS IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION. PLEASE VISIT WEAREPUBLICHEALTH.ORG FOR AN UPDATED LIST OF LOCATIONS WHERE EXPOSURES OCCURRED.

Anyone who develops symptoms, such as fever or an unexplained rash, is urged to stay home and contact a health care provider over the phone. Please let the healthcare provider know that you may have been exposed to measles.

Measles is a highly-contagious, vaccine-preventable viral illness spread through coughing, sneezing, and contact with secretions from the nose, mouth, and throat of an infected individual.  Measles virus can survive in the air for hours and may be transmitted to susceptible individuals even after an infected individual is no longer in the room/area. You may be protected from measles if you were immunized with 2 doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine or if you have previously had the disease. Healthcare providers are required to report suspect cases of measles to Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

Symptoms:

• Typically appear 7-12 days after exposure to measles but may take up to 21 days
• Begin with fever (101 F or higher), red, watery eyes, cough and runny nose
• Followed by a rash that is red, raised, and blotchy. The rash typically begins on the face at the hairline and moves down the body. The rash may last for 5-6 days and may turn brownish.

People who have depressed immune systems may have a rash that does not fit the description above.

What to do if you think you have measles:

If you have a healthcare provider, contact him/her by phone and let them know that you may have been exposed to measles. They will let you know when to visit their office so as not to expose others in the waiting area.

If you do not have a health care provider, you may need to be seen at your local hospital emergency room/urgent care center. Please call before going to let them know you may have measles.

For more information on measles’ signs and symptoms or where you may find vaccine, please visit www.WeArePublicHealth.org.

The 1-acre Mulch Fire continues to burn and produce smoke due to deep internal smoldering within massive mulch piles, and wildland firefighters continue to monitor it within Yavapai County’s Camp Verde Transfer Station.   The fire, which was sparked by spontaneous combustion on July 10, will likely continue to burn and smolder for many weeks or even months since the piles are so large, and being able to locate every heat source to extinguish it is near impossible and extremely dangerous for firefighters.   Firefighters have contained the fire by churning the fuels with heavy equipment and soaking them for weeks, and there is no threat of the fire spreading anywhere else. No structures or private property is threatened.   The fire will continue to be monitored until it burns itself out, which could take several months. Communities near the transfer station can expect light smoke production from the fire that may intermittently impact the immediate area, but should not significantly impact surrounding communities.   Camp Verde Transfer Station is not accepting green waste until further notice. Please contact the Solid Waste Division of Yavapai County’s Public Works Department for more information.   The Camp Verde area has also been impacted by smoke from other recent wildfires in northern Arizona, especially as cooler overnight temperatures cause smoke to settle in natural drainages and canyons that flow through communities in Verde Valley.

Over the past two days, firefighters made progress with firing operations along Forest Road 223. This tactic is conducted to strengthen and improve the northern boundary of the planning area. Crews continue to move along the southern boundary, using hand ignitions to create a buffer as the main fire advances to the west. Yesterday the fire was tested by gusty, erratic winds but continued to spread as expected at a low to moderate rate.

Over the next few days, the Ikes Fire will begin to right-size resources. Crews will be released from the fire as objectives are met and made available to assist with other wildfires in the country. Remaining resources will patrol and hold the fire perimeter to ensure the fire remains within the planning area. The fire has spread across approximately 5,932 acres within the 7,785-acre planning area, and has 61 resources assigned.

One objective of the Incident Management Team is to allow fire to move through the 7,785-acre planning area for resource benefit. Naturally-ignited wildland fires play an important role in fire-adapted ecosystems by reducing dead wood accumulations to ash and releasing nutrients that stimulate new plant growth, and helping to regulate insect and disease levels. These fires also create a mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation, which increases habitat diversity and breaks up continuous fuels on the forest floor (branches, fallen trees, etc.) which can help limit or slow the intensity and spread of large wildfires in the future. The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.

Predicted forecast for Friday and Saturday is generally dry with slightly cooler temperatures and breezy conditions. Temperatures will begin to warm back up as we move into next week. There is no rain predicted in the near future.

Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the area and may cause smoke impacts. Visitors traveling to the area should be aware of possible smoke along State Highway 67. Visitors are asked to drive carefully and turn headlights on for safety. It is recommended that anyone with sensitivity to smoke limit their time outdoors when smoke is present. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov or the Smoke Management Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

The North Rim Village and businesses are open. However, road and trail closures are in effect for the Ikes Fire planning area for Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest. The following roads and trails are closed on the North Rim:

Powell Plateau Trail, The North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road north of the intersection of the W4 and W1 Roads.

More information can be found at Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6475/.

Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for additional information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information.

For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.

 

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a Health Watch (HW) for ozone effective August 24, 2019, in the Phoenix area. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HW is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

Ground level ozone forms when two types of pollutants—volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—react in sunlight. These pollutants come primarily from automobiles, but also from other sources including industries, power plants and products, such as solvents and paints. Generally, the highest levels of ozone occur in the afternoon.

Health Impacts

People most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution include children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors, people with heart or lung disease and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis. Exposure can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung disease and reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. Symptoms may include itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and upper respiratory issues.

Please help reduce ozone by doing one or more of the following:

• Drive as little as possible, carpool, use public transit or telecommute
• Re-fuel your vehicle in the evening
• Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks – park your car and go inside
• Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers – delay big painting projects
• Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air

Be Air Aware!

Stay informed and be a part of the ADEQ air quality challenge. Together we can make a difference to improve air quality for everyone in Arizona by following three simple steps. | Learn More >

Firefighters have completed crucial burnout operations on the 3,279-acre Saber Fire, and have established defensible space around Turkey Butte Lookout and Arizona Public Service (APS) high voltage powerlines.   The burnouts will protect these important structures from severe wildfires in the future, as well as establish control lines around the predetermined fire perimeter.   Fire managers are pleased with the post-fire effects resulting from the natural progression of the fire moving across the landscape as it has reduced the accumulation of excess fuels on the forest floor while replenishing nutrients back into the soil.   Smoke can be expected from the Saber Fire until the area receives moisture. The fire will continue to consume pockets of previously unburned forest fuels well within the established fire boundary. Local crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire’s progression.   The public should use caution when recreating or hunting near the fire area due to hazardous fire-weakened trees, burning stump holes and fire personnel working in the area.  Updates about the Saber Fire can be found on Inciweb. Follow the Coconino National Forest’s social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, to get timely updates on this fire, other incidents, and forest-wide activities.   SABER FIRE OVERVIEW  

• Discovery date: August 2, 2019.
• Cause: Lightning.
• Containment: 32 percent.
• Origin location: Approximately 1.5 miles south of Turkey Butte lookout tower (Latitude/Longitude: 35.011°N, 111.901W).
• Current size:  3,279 acres.
• Current resources: 4 engines, 2 crews, a dozer and overhead personnel. Total approx. personnel: 75.
• Predicted smoke impacts: Expect smoke production to increase over the next few days. Significant smoke may impact forest roads south of Flagstaff and west of I-17. The smoke will be visible from Flagstaff, motorists in the area along I-17, I-40 and SR 89A. Smoke will likely impact areas of Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona communities during cooler evening hours.
• Current closures: There is a closure order for the Saber Fire area.

Over the past two days, firefighters made progress with firing operations along Forest Road 223. This tactic is conducted to strengthen and improve the northern boundary of the planning area. Crews continue to move along the southern boundary, using hand ignitions to create a buffer as the main fire advances to the west. Yesterday the fire was tested by gusty, erratic winds but continued to spread as expected at a low to moderate rate.   Over the next few days, the Ikes Fire will begin to right-size resources. Crews will be released from the fire as objectives are met and made available to assist with other wildfires in the country. Remaining resources will patrol and hold the fire perimeter to ensure the fire remains within the planning area. The fire has spread across approximately 5,932 acres within the 7,785-acre planning area, and has 61 resources assigned.   One objective of the Incident Management Team is to allow fire to move through the 7,785-acre planning area for resource benefit. Naturally-ignited wildland fires play an important role in fire-adapted ecosystems by reducing dead wood accumulations to ash and releasing nutrients that stimulate new plant growth, and helping to regulate insect and disease levels. These fires also create a mosaic of burned and unburned vegetation, which increases habitat diversity and breaks up continuous fuels on the forest floor (branches, fallen trees, etc.) which can help limit or slow the intensity and spread of large wildfires in the future. The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.   Predicted forecast for Friday and Saturday is generally dry with slightly cooler temperatures and breezy conditions. Temperatures will begin to warm back up as we move into next week. There is no rain predicted in the near future.   Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the area and may cause smoke impacts. Visitors traveling to the area should be aware of possible smoke along State Highway 67. Visitors are asked to drive carefully and turn headlights on for safety. It is recommended that anyone with sensitivity to smoke limit their time outdoors when smoke is present. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov or the Smoke Management Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.   The North Rim Village and businesses are open. However, road and trail closures are in effect for the Ikes Fire planning area for Grand Canyon National Park and the Kaibab National Forest. The following roads and trails are closed on the North Rim:   -Powell Plateau Trail, The North Bass Trail, Fire Point, Swamp Point, and the W4 road north of the intersection of the W4 and W1 Roads.   More information can be found at Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6475/. Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for additional information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information.   For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.

Despite near red flag fire weather conditions yesterday, resources were able to hold the Castle Fire completely within the planning area. Fire managers remain confident they will be able to maintain the wildfire within the perimeter and anticipate no additional growth.

Management of the wildfire has transitioned to a smaller Type 4 organization and will continue to downsize through the demobilization of resources as the fire continues to wind down. Crews will continue to patrol the fire, mop up remaining hot spots near control lines, repair and rehabilitate areas where suppression actions were taken, and clear hazardous snags and debris along roadways in and around the fire area.

Smoke may be visible from the Castle Fire until precipitation arrives. However, overall smoke impacts from this wildfire are expected to decrease significantly over the next week. There are numerous wildfires currently burning throughout northern Arizona and southern Utah. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov or the Smoke Management Division of The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Please visit InciWeb for more information on the wildfires that are currently active in the area.

The Kaibab National Forest has allowed the lightning-caused Castle Fire to spread within a defined area in order to fulfill its natural role of reducing dense forest fuels and improving overall ecosystem health. The wildfire has moved across the entire 19,368-acre planning area.

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/

This will be the last update on the Castle Fire unless conditions change significantly.

FINAL CASTLE FIRE OVERVIEW

• Discovery Date: July 12, 2019.
• Cause: Lightning.
• Location (point of origin): Approximately 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
• Current Resources: 5 engines, 1 water tender, 1 dozer, and miscellaneous fire management personnel. Total personnel approximately 54.
• Current Size: About 19,368 acres within the 19,368 planning area. No additional perimeter growth is expected. Pockets of unburned vegetation remain within the wildfire’s interior and may be consumed over the coming days.
• Predicted Smoke Impacts: Smoke is expected to be visible from both the north and south rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Jacob Lake, Highway 67, Highway 89A, Fredonia and Page. However, overall smoke impacts from the Castle Fire are expected to decrease significantly over the next week. To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
• Current Closures: The Kaibab National Forest has implemented a temporary Closure Order for the Castle Fire area in order to provide for public and firefighter safety.  For specific information about the Closure Order, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/.
• Recent and Current Operations: Fire crews will continue to patrol, monitor, mop up the fire, and remove hazard trees over the next several days. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. 

Kaibab National Forest information is available through the following sources:

• Castle Fire Inciweb Page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/
• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab  
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Flickr: http://bit.ly/CastleFire2019

 

 

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a Health Watch (HW) for ozone effective August 23 in the Phoenix area. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HW is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

Ground level ozone forms when two types of pollutants—volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—react in sunlight. These pollutants come primarily from automobiles, but also from other sources including industries, power plants and products, such as solvents and paints. Generally, the highest levels of ozone occur in the afternoon.

Check the Hourly Air Quality Forecast on the Air Arizona Mobile App

Apple iTunes > | Google Play >

Health Impacts

People most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution include children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors, people with heart or lung disease and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis. Exposure can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung disease and reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. Symptoms may include itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and upper respiratory issues.

Please help reduce ozone by doing one or more of the following:

• Drive as little as possible, carpool, use public transit or telecommute
• Re-fuel your vehicle in the evening
• Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks – park your car and go inside
• Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers – delay big painting projects
• Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air

Be Air Aware!

Stay informed and be a part of the ADEQ air quality challenge. Together we can make a difference to improve air quality for everyone in Arizona by following three simple steps. | Learn More >

BACKGROUND

High Pollution Advisory (HPA) | Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is forecast to exceed the federal health standard.

Health Watch (HW) | Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is forecast to approach the federal health standard.

Particulate Matter Fact Sheet | View >

Ozone Fact Sheet | View >

FIND THE FORECAST

ADEQ Hourly Air Quality Forecast | View >

Text or Email Alerts | Subscribe > 

Air Arizona Mobile App | Learn More >

Apple iTunes >

Google Play >

 

The Sheridan Fire, influenced by unseasonably hot, windy and dry conditions, made a push northward, more than doubling the acreage yesterday. The preparations made by firefighters to reduce vegetation adjacent to the Camp Wood Road were critically important to slowing the forward momentum of the fire-front. The fire did spot over the Camp Wood Road, at the junction of Forest Road 95, initiating a full closure of the Camp Wood Road within the Forest Boundary. Forest official are looking to expand the Fire Area Closure to include area north of the Camp Wood Road.

Sheridan Fire Overview

Location: 23 miles Northwest of Prescott, AZ on the Chino Valley District (T16N, R6W, S16)

Start Date: August 5, 2019

Size:  8,594 acres

Percent Contained: 0%

Cause: Lightning

Vegetation: Pinyon-Juniper, Grass and Brush

Resources: Approx.150 personnel including: 7-Engines, 2-Water Tenders, 2-Handcrews, 2-Helicopters

Current Situation:

Thick overgrown chaparral is the predominant fuel burning. Its fire behavior is highly influenced by wind and enhanced by the dry conditions. This brush type burns hot and fast, producing thick black smoke. The smoke effects to area communities is being closely monitored.

The fire continues to be allowed to fulfill its natural role while firefighters continue to provide for point protection of cultural and natural resources. Utilizing the lightning-caused fire for resource benefit will improve wildlife habitat and restore more open forest understory with grasses and forbs.

There are no homes or structures threatened.

Closures:

The current closure order remains in effect over the fire area south of the Camp Wood Road. Fire operations have forced the closure of the Camp Wood Road within the Forest Boundary. The forest is currently working on expanding the closure area to include area north of the Camp Wood Road. More details will be available later today.  A map and detailed description of the current closure area are available on Inciweb and on the Prescott National Forest website.

Smoke:

Smoke from the Sheridan Fire will continued to be visible from Prescott, Chino Valley and Williamson Valley during mid-afternoon and into the evening hours, extending as far north as Paulden, Ash Fork and Williams, relative to the predominant wind direction. Incident specific smoke monitors are in place north of the fire area to monitor area impacts.

With smoke impacts continuing to be expected, we recommend that the public plan activities during the earlier part of the day. For those more sensitive to smoke, we also recommend staying indoors with windows and doors closed and bringing pets inside.

Prescott Fire Information Phone: 928-925-1111

Prescott National Forest – Fire Closure Order & Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6522/

Prescott National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/

Prescott National Forest Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrescottNF

The lightning caused Boulin Fire on the Kaibab National Forest presented another beneficial opportunity to allow natural fire on the landscape to further accelerate forest restoration efforts while meeting a number of objectives.

Ideal fire effects have been observed across much of the planning area. Fuels reduction occurred with heavy fuel loads being consumed off the surfaces, as well as ladder fuels being reduced off the lower portions of healthy tree stands. There was no damage to private property, heritage sites or range improvements, and the return of nutrients into the soils should enhance wildlife habitat considerably.

BOULIN FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: August 5, 2019.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: East of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail and forest roads 141, 713, and 730.

Current Size: 4039 acres.

Containment: 60%

Incident Commander: Nick Behrends ICT4 / Tyler Richwine ICT4T.

Resources: One- Fuels crew, one-Type 3 Engine, one-Patrol unit, one-Dozer, and four-Miscellaneous overhead. Total personnel assigned is 20.

 

Current Status: The Boulin fire has reached its maximum growth potential at 4039 acres. Crews will begin working the affected areas by seeking out and mitigating any dangers that may exist to ensure public safety. The work will include dropping fire weakened snags near roadways and dispersed campsites, mopping up hot stump holes, and preparing for any soil erosion or run off that may occur.

A "Burn Area Risk Assessment" will be forthcoming to evaluate the potential needs for rehabilitation and to identify any other existing hazards.

The Boulin Fire is now 60% contained and has reached full potential for spread. 

 

Smoke: A significant reduction in smoke will occur daily now as the Boulin fire has reached its maximum size with no further growth anticipated. Some smoke may linger as fuels within the interior continue to consume however ventilation will be rapid throughout the day with much lighter impacts overnight.

For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

 

Additional information about the Boulin Fire, and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

• InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6511/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 
• Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311

 

Fuels Reduction Objectives with Positive Results: Raised Canopy's, Woody Debris Consumed

 

Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) officials found mosquitoes that tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in an area south of Lake Mary Road in Flagstaff. This is the first positive WNV in mosquitoes in Coconino County this year.  No human cases have been reported in Coconino County since 2010 when two human cases were identified.

CCHHS staff has applied a non-toxic larvicide treatment to reduce mosquito populations in water pools in the affected area and in other locations in the County. CCHHS will continue trapping and testing mosquitoes in areas where there is mosquito activity until colder weather returns. Although this is the only area where mosquitoes have tested positive this year, WNV is endemic and could be present in other areas throughout the County.

Accoding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or PMD -the synthesized version of oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection.

People are encouraged to take the following precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

·         Mosquitoes that carry WNV are most active at dusk and dawn. Stay indoors during these times or wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoor.

·          Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.

·         Use air conditioning, if available.

·         Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs near your home. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.

People should continue these preventive measures until cold weather returns and mosquito activity diminishes in the fall.

There is no specific treatment for WNV other than supportive care, and there is no vaccine available for humans. A WNV vaccination is available for horses. CCHHS encourages horse owners to discuss vaccinations with their veterinarian.

For more information or to report any concerns, call the Coconino County Health and Human Services Environmental Health office at 928-679-8750 or toll free 1-877-679-7272.

 

Over the last several days, crews have continued to reinforce all boundaries established for the Castle Fire, and fire managers do not anticipate any additional growth in acreage.

Today, firefighters will continue to monitor the wildfire, repair and rehabilitate areas where suppression actions were taken, mop up remaining hot spots near control lines, and clear hazardous snags and debris along roadways, including several within the perimeter.

Areas of unburned fuel remain within the fire's interior and may continue to be consumed in the coming weeks. Smoke may be visible from the Castle Fire until precipitation arrives. However, overall smoke impacts from the wildfire are expected to decrease significantly over the next week.

The Kaibab National Forest has allowed the lightning-caused Castle Fire to spread within a defined area in order to fulfill its natural role of reducing dense forest fuels and improving overall ecosystem health. The wildfire has now moved across the entire 19,368-acre planning area.

The Castle Fire has been burning in an area with dense mixed conifer, heavy fuel loading, and a significant amount of dead and down trees. The wildfire has helped meet a variety of resource objectives including restoring the forest structure to more historic conditions, reducing spruce and fir encroachment of area meadows, removing fuels that could feed future severe wildfires, and promoting aspen regeneration.

There are numerous wildfires currently burning throughout northern Arizona and southern Utah. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov or the Smoke Management Division of The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Please visitInciWeb for more information on the Castle Fire and other fires in the area.  

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/

CASTLE FIRE OVERVIEW

• Discovery Date: July 12, 2019.
• Cause: Lightning.
• Location (point of origin): Approximately 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
• Current Resources: 9 engines, 1 hand crew, 1 water tender, 1 dozer, and miscellaneous fire management personnel. Total personnel approximately 80.
• Current Size: About 19,368 acres within the 19,368 planning area. Pockets of unburned vegetation remain within the wildfire’s interior and may be consumed over the coming days.
• Predicted Smoke Impacts: Smoke is expected to be visible from both the north and south rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Jacob Lake, Highway 67, Highway 89A, Fredonia and Page. However, overall smoke impacts from the Castle Fire are expected to decrease significantly over the next week. To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
• Current Closures: The Kaibab National Forest has implemented a temporary Closure Order for the Castle Fire area in order to provide for public and firefighter safety.  For specific information about the Closure Order, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/.
• Recent and Current Operations: Fire crews will continue to patrol, monitor, mop up, and remove hazard trees over the next several days. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. 

Kaibab National Forest information is available through the following sources:

• Castle Fire Inciweb Page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/
• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Flickr: http://bit.ly/CastleFire2019

 

 

Visitors to the remote Kelly Point area of GC-Parashant National Monument should expect to encounter wildland firefighting operations between August 25th and September 30th. Parashant is located on the Arizona Strip between Grand Canyon National Park and the Nevada border. The prescribed fire will take place southeast of Mt. Dellenbaugh along the NPS1203 Kelly Point Road. Specific dates cannot be provided; controlled fires are dependent on forecast weather conditions and the national wildland fire season preparedness level.

Prescribed fires are used by land managers as a tool to control and reduce hazardous fuels accumulation and to prevent catastrophic wildfires. Fire, rather than mechanical treatment, was chosen by the National Park Service as the preferred tool to return forests to a healthy state. This is due to the natural touch of fire on fire-adapted forests. The Kelly Point area has not seen fire for decades. This has resulted in an unhealthy and excessive level of vegetation, increasing the risk of a catastrophic wildfire. This prescribed fire will return the landscape to a healthier plant density. This will also increase growth of new forage that is beneficial for animals such as mule deer.

Visitors in this area should anticipate smoke and firefighting vehicles. While the Kelly Point area, including NPS1203, is not closed during firefighting operations, visitors are encouraged to explore other areas of Parashant such as Twin Point or Mt. Trumbull, to avoid smoke and road congestion. Smoke warning signs will be placed along Mohave County Road 103 and NPS1203 to alert visitors that they will be entering the prescribed fire area.

See the attached map for areas anticipated to be treated. The specific location is Kelly East, approximately seven miles south of Yellow John Mountain immediately south of Ambush Pocket. For further information on the prescribed fire please call the Grand Canyon Parashant Fire Management information line at 702-293-8676.

Among the many benefits of allowing fire to move naturally on the landscape, the protection of cultural and historic sites remains one of the top priority objectives when managing wildfires. The Boulin Fire is no exception, and Kaibab National Forest archeologists were quick to engage taking actions to protect these sites which included two historic cabins located within the footprint of this fire.

"We know these cabins are vulnerable to deterioration being well over a century old" said Archeologist, Neil Weintraub. "Fire, like many forces of nature that can be destructive, can also be very helpful to use for their protection. With people in place, we can allow low intensity fire to consume accumulations of burnable debris that build up around these sensitive sites, removing the threat, and ultimately preserving our local history for the public to enjoy for generations to come".

BOULIN FIRE OVERVIEW

• Start Date: August 5, 2019.
• Cause: Lightning.
• Location: East of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail and forest roads 141, 713, and 730.
• Current Size: 3784 acres.
• Containment: 50%
• Incident Commander: Nick Behrends ICT4 / Tyler Richwine ICT4T.
• Resources: One-Type 2 Hand crew, one- Fuels crew, two-Type 6 Engines, two-Type 3 Engines, one-Patrol unit, one-Dozer, and eight- Miscellaneous overhead. Total personnel assigned is 50.
  
   
• Current Status: The Boulin Fire is now 50% contained and nearing completion. Managers are expecting the fire to reach its full potential for growth at 4200 acres within the next two operational periods.

Heavy equipment traffic and residual smoke remain present at the fire site. Drivers in the area are reminded to be aware that personnel will be on scene for several days ensuring containment lines hold and to begin mop up and rehabilitation work.

• Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible from communities surrounding this incident however a rapid decrease in production and volume can now be expected as the fire reaches its full potential with no further growth anticipated.

For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Additional information about the Boulin Fire, and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

• InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6511/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 
• Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311

 

Among the many benefits of allowing fire to move naturally on the landscape, the protection of cultural and historic sites remains one of the top priority objectives when managing wildfires. The Boulin Fire is no exception, and Kaibab National Forest archeologists were quick to engage taking actions to protect these sites which included two historic cabins located within the footprint of this fire.

"We know these cabins are vulnerable to deterioration being well over a century old" said Archeologist, Neil Weintraub. "Fire, like many forces of nature that can be destructive, can also be very helpful to use for their protection. With people in place, we can allow low intensity fire to consume accumulations of burnable debris that build up around these sensitive sites, removing the threat, and ultimately preserving our local history for the public to enjoy for generations to come".

BOULIN FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: August 5, 2019.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: East of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail and forest roads 141, 713, and 730.

Current Size: 3784 acres.

Containment: 50%

Incident Commander: Nick Behrends ICT4 / Tyler Richwine ICT4T.

Resources: One-Type 2 Hand crew, one- Fuels crew, two-Type 6 Engines, two-Type 3 Engines, one-Patrol unit, one-Dozer, and eight- Miscellaneous overhead. Total personnel assigned is 50.

 

Current Status: The Boulin Fire is now 50% contained and nearing completion. Managers are expecting the fire to reach its full potential for growth at 4200 acres within the next two operational periods.

Heavy equipment traffic and residual smoke remain present at the fire site. Drivers in the area are reminded to be aware that personnel will be on scene for several days ensuring containment lines hold and to begin mop up and rehabilitation work.

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible from communities surrounding this incident however a rapid decrease in production and volume can now be expected as the fire reaches its full potential with no further growth anticipated.

For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

 

Additional information about the Boulin Fire, and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

• InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6511/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 
• Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311

 

Firefighters Protecting Historic Cabin Foundation

 

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a Health Watch (HW) for ozone effective August 22, 2019, in the Phoenix area. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HW is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.

Ground level ozone forms when two types of pollutants—volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)—react in sunlight. These pollutants come primarily from automobiles, but also from other sources including industries, power plants and products, such as solvents and paints. Generally, the highest levels of ozone occur in the afternoon.

Check the Hourly Air Quality Forecast on the Air Arizona Mobile App

Apple iTunes > | Google Play >

Health Impacts

People most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution include children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors, people with heart or lung disease and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis. Exposure can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung disease and reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. Symptoms may include itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and upper respiratory issues.

Please help reduce ozone by doing one or more of the following:

• Drive as little as possible, carpool, use public transit or telecommute
• Re-fuel your vehicle in the evening
• Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines, for example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants or banks – park your car and go inside
• Use low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers – delay big painting projects
• Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air

Be Air Aware!

Stay informed and be a part of the ADEQ air quality challenge. Together we can make a difference to improve air quality for everyone in Arizona by following three simple steps. | Learn More >

 

Widespread dry, hot weather, and low humidity have increased activity on several wildfires in far northern Arizona and southern Utah, contributing to noticeable smoke impacts in the area. However, as the Castle Fire burns through the remaining pockets of unburned vegetation within its interior, smoke production from the wildfire is expected to diminish over the coming days.

The total size of the 19,368-acre Castle Fire, which has spread across the full extent of the pre-determined planning area established for it, has not changed in more than a week. Fire crews made significant progress yesterday mopping up the wildfire's perimeter by locating and extinguishing interior hot spots. Management of the wildfire is expected to be returned to local resources as early as the end of this week. 

Today, firefighters will continue to focus on patrolling and mopping up the fire's perimeter. They will also begin using heavy equipment to clear interior roads, rehabilitate and repair suppression scars, and remove hazardous snags along roads. One area remains within the fire's perimeter on the north end that continues to produce significant smoke. Crews are monitoring this area closely, and smoke production is expected to diminish as the fire consumes the heavy fuels that had built up there.

Fire managers are pleased that the Castle Fire is meeting the objective of functioning as a natural disturbance within the ecosystem as it reduces heavy accumulations of forest fuels such as dead and down vegetation and encroaching, unhealthy stands of piñon-juniper.

Smoke from area fires is continuing to be visible from surrounding communities and is expected to settle in the valleys during early morning and late evenings. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov or the Smoke Management Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Please visit InciWeb for more information on the Castle Fire and other wildfires in the area.  

The Castle Fire exists entirely within the pre-identified planning area in which the lightning-caused fire has been allowed to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem. The fire has burned through a majority of the 19,368-acre planning area, leaving a mosaic of islands of unburned fuels together with openings that will benefit wildlife and the forest ecosystem into the future. Some pockets of unburned vegetation remain within the wildfire’s interior that may burn over the coming days. By allowing the wildfire to naturally burn through this area, the ecosystem will become healthier and more resilient.

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/

CASTLE FIRE OVERVIEW

• Discovery Date: July 12, 2019.
• Cause: Lightning.
• Location (point of origin): Approximately 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
• Current Resources: 8 engines, 1 water tender, and miscellaneous fire management personnel. Total personnel approximately 64.
• Current Size: About 19,368 acres, entirely within the planning area. Small pockets of unburned vegetation remain within the wildfire’s interior and may burn over the coming days.
• Predicted Smoke Impacts: Smoke is expected to be visible from both the north and south rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Jacob Lake, Highway 67, Highway 89A, Fredonia and Page. To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
• Current Closures: The Kaibab National Forest has implemented a temporary Closure Order for the Castle Fire area in order to provide for public and firefighter safety.  For specific information about the Closure Order, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/.
• Recent and Current Operations: Fire crews will patrol, monitor, mop up, and repair fire suppression actions over the next several days. They will also hold designated perimeters within which the fire can move and mitigate hot spots if they occur. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. 

Kaibab National Forest information is available through the following sources:

• Castle Fire Inciweb Page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/
• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Flickr: http://bit.ly/CastleFire2019

-A news release for the Ikes Fire will be issued every other day starting today, Wednesday August 21, 2019. Additional information will be released as it becomes available or conditions change. Contact information for the Ikes Fire will remain in place at this time.

Yesterday, firefighters did minimal hand ignitions along the National Park Service W4 Road as the fire progressed slowly to the west. Crews did not conduct firing operations along Forest Road 223 as more prep work is needed before putting additional fire on the ground. A helicopter was utilized for reconnaissance flights during the day to assess fire behavior within the interior of the fire perimeter. Fire is currently backing down ridges and spreading within drainages at a low to moderate rate of spread.

Today, firefighters will prep Forest Road 223 in anticipation of firing operations along the road to reduce vegetation and create a buffer for the advancing fire. Firing operations will occur once prep work is complete and weather conditions are appropriate. Crews will patrol and hold the fire planning area perimeter and make improvements as needed. As the fire moves west, crews will conduct hand ignitions along the National Park Service W4 Road to strengthen the southern boundary of the fire planning area. As objectives continue to be met, resources will be released from the Ikes Fire and made available to assist on other wildfires. There are currently 93 resources assigned to the Ikes Fire and it has spread across approximately 5,112 acres.

A strong, healthy forest ecosystem is born of fire. The forest floor becomes sanitized as dead, downed material burns and nutrients are returned to the soil. These nutrients help vegetation grow in a stronger, more resilient ecosystem. Utilizing the lightning-caused fire for resource benefit will improve wildlife habitat and restore more open forest understory with grasses and forbs. The fire will be allowed to fulfill its natural role while providing for point protection of cultural and natural resources. The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.

Predicted forecast for the next two days is very warm temperatures between 80-90 degrees. The weather will be generally dry and breezy as a weather trough moves into the area starting Thursday. Winds out of the southwest are expected to be 10-15 mph with no rain in sight.

Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the area and may cause smoke impacts. Visitors traveling to the area should be aware of possible smoke along State Highway 67.  Visitors are asked to drive carefully and turn headlights on for safety. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov  or the Smoke Management Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. 

Visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6475/ for a list of road and trails closures currently in effect for Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest. 

The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.

Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for additional information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information. For additional information about the Ikes fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6475/.

For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.

 

A news release for the Ikes Fire will be issued every other day starting today, Wednesday August 21, 2019. Additional information will be released as it becomes available or conditions change. Contact information for the Ikes Fire will remain in place at this time.

Yesterday, firefighters did minimal hand ignitions along the National Park Service W4 Road as the fire progressed slowly to the west. Crews did not conduct firing operations along Forest Road 223 as more prep work is needed before putting additional fire on the ground. A helicopter was utilized for reconnaissance flights during the day to assess fire behavior within the interior of the fire perimeter. Fire is currently backing down ridges and spreading within drainages at a low to moderate rate of spread.

Today, firefighters will prep Forest Road 223 in anticipation of firing operations along the road to reduce vegetation and create a buffer for the advancing fire. Firing operations will occur once prep work is complete and weather conditions are appropriate. Crews will patrol and hold the fire planning area perimeter and make improvements as needed. As the fire moves west, crews will conduct hand ignitions along the National Park Service W4 Road to strengthen the southern boundary of the fire planning area. As objectives continue to be met, resources will be released from the Ikes Fire and made available to assist on other wildfires. There are currently 93 resources assigned to the Ikes Fire and it has spread across approximately 5,112 acres.

A strong, healthy forest ecosystem is born of fire. The forest floor becomes sanitized as dead, downed material burns and nutrients are returned to the soil. These nutrients help vegetation grow in a stronger, more resilient ecosystem. Utilizing the lightning-caused fire for resource benefit will improve wildlife habitat and restore more open forest understory with grasses and forbs. The fire will be allowed to fulfill its natural role while providing for point protection of cultural and natural resources. The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.

Predicted forecast for the next two days is very warm temperatures between 80-90 degrees. The weather will be generally dry and breezy as a weather trough moves into the area starting Thursday. Winds out of the southwest are expected to be 10-15 mph with no rain in sight.

Smoke from the Ikes Fire, along with other fires in the area, will be visible throughout the area and may cause smoke impacts. Visitors traveling to the area should be aware of possible smoke along State Highway 67.  Visitors are asked to drive carefully and turn headlights on for safety. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov  or the Smoke Management Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. 

Visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6475/ for a list of road and trails closures currently in effect for Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest. 

The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.

Please visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for additional information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park or call 928-638-7819 for recorded fire information. For additional information about the Ikes fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6475/.

For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.

 

Fire activity on the Boulin Fire continues to be driven by the lack of monsoonal moisture and consistent warm dry conditions.

"It is not easy to predict what the weather will do for 14 consecutive days, but we have been fortunate and used this to our advantage successfully meeting our objectives identified in the 4200 acre planning area." said Nick Behrends, Incident Commander on the Boulin Fire.

Additional growth can be expected following the pattern of recent days as this incident moves toward final containment.

BOULIN FIRE OVERVIEW

• Start Date: August 5, 2019.
• Cause: Lightning.
• Location: East of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail and forest roads 141, 713, and 730.
• Current Size: 3420 acres.
• Containment: 40%
• Incident Commander: Nick Behrends ICT4 / Tyler Richwine ICT4T.
• Resources: One-Type 2 Hand crew, one- Fuels crew, two-Type 6 Engines, two-Type 3 Engines, one-Patrol unit, one-Dozer, and eight- Miscellaneous overhead. Total personnel assigned is 50.
• Current Status: The Boulin Fire experienced its largest day of growth yesterday with just under 600 acres of fire spread bringing the total burned area to 3420 acres. Managers are expecting the fire to reach its full potential for growth set at 4200 acres by then end of this week.

Visitors driving through the area are reminded to use caution, stay alert, and watch for personnel and apparatus on roadways when passing through the fire vicinity.

• Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible from many communities surrounding this incident however the number of days smoke will be produced will be short in duration as the fire moves closer to final conclusion. 

For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Additional information about the Boulin Fire, and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

• InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6511/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 
• Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311