Arizona Emergency Information Network

The Ridge and Hull fires, burning in the ponderosa pine forests near Tusayan and the Grand Canyon, are not behaving the way people have come to expect of wildfires in the middle of June. Yet, both lightning-caused fires are burning as they naturally should in this fire-adapted ecosystem: moving slowly but steadily across the forest floor at lower intensity, removing hazardous fuels and promoting healthy vegetation.

Overall, the Hull and Ridge fires are expected to grow in size given the longer-term weather forecast, available fuels, and terrain. Fire activity was minimal yesterday due to higher humidity. Activity will likely increase over the weekend and into next week.

Wildfires do not come with an end date. Fire managers will manage the Hull and Ridge fires within designated areas as long as the fires continue burning in this manner and conditions allow crews to safely do so.

Crews on scene are patrolling, collecting data on fire behavior and on-the-ground conditions, and preparing roads and other natural control features by clearing any brush and conducting burnout operations to create perimeters around the designated areas within which the fires may burn. Many other specialists are actively involved in the management of these incidents. A meteorologist is providing current and forecast weather information, an air resource advisor is monitoring and modeling smoke production and dispersal, and wildlife biologists, botanists, and archaeologists are helping to ensure that natural and cultural resources are protected.

Smoke may be visible from various forest roads in and around the vicinity of these locations including Highway 180 and State Route 64. Within the park, smoke impacts may be most significant along Desert View Drive. If fire activity increases, smoke would also increase. Fire managers will keep the public informed of any potential smoke impacts. AirNow.gov contains a wealth of information about smoke and air quality in your area.

At this time, no direct impacts to developed areas in the nearby communities are anticipated.

Fire personnel and vehicles will be visible to the public. Motorists and visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through any fire vicinity.

Ridge Fire:

• Lightning caused; discovered June 4.
• Located approximately 7 miles southeast of Tusayan along forest road 302 near Skinner Tank.
• 611 acres, generally moving south along Skinner Ridge

Hull Fire (co-managed by the Forest Service and Grand Canyon National Park):

• Lightning caused; discovered June 4
• Located near Lower Hull Tank and Hull Cabin along the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park boundary just northeast of the Grand View Lookout and east of Grandview Point.
• 359 acres, spreading in a northerly direction.

The Kaibab National Forest is one of many fire-adapted ecosystems. Its vibrancy and resilience relies on fire occurring in approximately 10-year intervals. Decades of fire suppression, drought, and disease have resulted in an abundance of fuels, which leaves the forest vulnerable to more dangerous high-severity wildfires that can devastate watersheds, destroy wildlife habitat, and risk lives. In addition to reducing hazardous fuels, fire is also the mechanism for recycling nutrients into the soils which promote vegetation, like the composting and mulching process in humid environments.

Hull and Ridge are prime examples of how fire can behave when it occurs in natural return intervals as fire treatments have occurred both areas, most recently with the Lower Fire in 2011 (Hull) and a prescribed fire in 2012 (Ridge). Without an overabundance of accumulated fuels, the Hull and Ridge fires’ flame lengths and rate of spread are lower and smoke is significantly less than a destructive wildfire.

The unique weather of the 2023 has allowed forest managers to use the entire suite of fuels management strategies well into the summer months. So far this year, the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts completed over 26,500 acres of prescribed fire, including several thousand acres directly adjacent to communities. Now in June, the continuing cooler weather and higher humidity are contributing to fire managers’ ability to manage lightning-caused wildfires for forest health objectives.

These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape as well as other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

Additional information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, by calling the Fire Information Hotline at 928-635-8311 or contacting local ranger stations.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Saturday, July 17.

Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-road vehicle use should be avoided.

Take Action

• Drive as little as possible: carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit Valley Metro: www.ShareTheRide.com.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Reduce your time waiting in long drive-thru lines. For example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, or banks. Park your vehicle and go inside.
• Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
• Delay big painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
• Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Conserve electricity.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of ozone, Maricopa County Air Quality Department requests all Transportation Coordinators to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

Remind employees that they are encouraged to make more clean air. By taking small, simple steps every day, we can all make a difference. Additional tips on how to reduce air pollution can be found at www.CleanAirMakeMore.com.

Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal "ozone season."

 "High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Maricopa County employers enlisted in the Travel Reduction Program are asked to activate their HPA plans on high pollution advisory days.

With 4th of July season upon us, the Yuma Fire Department cautions residents about the dangers of both consumer and illegal fireworks usage.

According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, every 4th of July, thousands of people (most often children and teens) are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks: devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death (and civil/criminal liability).

Fireworks started an estimated 12,264 fires in 2021, including 2,082 structure fires, 316 vehicle fires, and 9,866 outside and other fires. These fires caused 29 civilian injuries and $59 million in direct property damage.

In 2021, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,500 people for fireworks related injuries; over half of those injuries were to the extremities and 35% were to the eye or other parts of the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for almost one-quarter (23%) of the estimated 2021 injuries.

Even fireworks sold as “safe and sane” (like sparklers and other novelties), reach temperatures of over 1,200 degrees (water boils at 212 degrees and glass melts at 900 degrees). About half of all fireworks injuries are from burns.

Fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal in the state of Arizona, except for permitted commercial displays.

As a reminder, playing with fireworks is playing with fire. YFD encourages residents to enjoy the City of Yuma’s Independence Day Celebration, 6 - 10 p.m. July 4 at Ray Kroc Sports Complex and Desert Sun Stadium. This event is free to the public and includes an even larger fireworks show than in previous years.

Follow the Yuma Fire Department of Twitter

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Wednesday, June 14 and Thursday, June 15. 

Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-road vehicle use should be avoided.

Take Action

• Drive as little as possible: carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit Valley Metro: www.ShareTheRide.com.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Reduce your time waiting in long drive-thru lines. For example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, or banks. Park your vehicle and go inside.
• Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
• Delay big painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
• Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Conserve electricity.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of ozone, Maricopa County Air Quality Department requests all Transportation Coordinators to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

Remind employees that they are encouraged to make more clean air. By taking small, simple steps every day, we can all make a difference. Additional tips on how to reduce air pollution can be found at www.CleanAirMakeMore.com.

Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal "ozone season."

 "High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Maricopa County employers enlisted in the Travel Reduction Program are asked to activate their HPA plans on high pollution advisory days.

This fall and winter, the Kaibab National Forest Williams Ranger District is implementing mechanical thinning projects around Williams and Parks. These treatments target dense forests to help restore historic, healthier conditions and reduce the risk of uncharacteristically severe fire.

Closures for thinning operations are rare, but necessary on occasion for public and crew safety during active logging.

“Our priority projects are strategically located around communities and key watersheds – areas where resilient forests, defensible space, and reduced risk of catastrophic fire are most critical,” says Debra Mollet, Williams and Tusayan District Ranger. “This means folks can easily see the great work taking place to restore this special landscape. It also means some short-term public impacts are to be expected. We’ll work hard to minimize those as much as possible while we continue to provide the forest with the crucial treatments it needs.”

Residents and visitors can expect to see paint markings on trees, active cutting, woodchippers and grinders, log decks, slash piles, and materials being hauled away.

The following mechanical thinning projects are expected to begin June 15, 2023 on the Williams Ranger District:

• Government Prairie – located north of Parks. Work anticipated to occur during weekdays, not on weekends or major holidays. Major haul routes to on Forest Roads 107, County Road 141, and Route 66. Project expected to begin in early July and be completed in 2024.
• Klostermeyer – located northeast of Parks. Work anticipated to occur during weekdays, not on weekends or major holidays. Work likely to begin near the Government Prairie neighborhood with major haul routes on Forest Roads 107 & 171 and Route 66. Project expected to begin 6/15/2023 and be completed around 12/31/2026.

Other mechanical thinning projects on the Williams Ranger District include:

• Beacon Boxcar – located just south of I-40 near Sherwood Forest. Currently inactive.
• Dude – located east of Parks.
• Fortyniner East – located east of Parks. Expected to be offered for bid this summer.
• Fortyniner West – located east of Parks. Currently inactive.
• Holden – located west of Williams. The entire project is anticipated to be complete by 2024.
• Junction – located just east of Williams, south of I-40 and Old Rt. 66 near Bearizona. Currently inactive.
• Sitgreaves West – located northeast of Williams. Expected to be offered for bid this fall.
• Spitz Hill – located west of Parks. Expected to be offered for bid this summer.

For additional details about mechanical thinning on the district contact the Williams Ranger Station at 928-635-5680. More information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the local ranger stations.

Two new lightning caused wildfires discovered last week east of Tusayan will be managed within designated areas to reduce fuel loads and promote healthier landscapes.

The Ridge Fire started by lightning on June 4 is located approximately 7 miles southeast of Tusayan along forest road 302 near Skinner Tank. It is currently 112 acres burning in ponderosa pine forest, and is moving south along Skinner Ridge.

The Hull Fire also started by lightning on June 4 is located near Lower Hull Tank along the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park boundary just northeast of the Grand View Lookout and east of Grandview Point. The Hull fire is currently at 55 acres burning in ponderosa pine forest, it is spreading north, and is being co-managed by the Grand Canyon National Park.

The overall strategy will be to allow fire to burn as it would naturally as long as it can be safely managed while meeting objectives. Both these fires will be monitored as they spread with the goal of reducing hazardous fuel accumulations while restoring and maintaining forest health. They will also be beneficial for increasing protection of wildlife habitat, historic heritage sites, large old growth timber stands, and sensitive watersheds. Resource specialists will take great care to protect cultural and natural resources in and around the proposed burn area.

Size is expected to increase on both these fires as growth is largely influenced by weather, available fuels, and terrain.

Smoke may be visible from various forest roads in and around the vicinity of these locations including Highway 180 and State Route 64. Within the park, smoke impacts may be most significant along Desert View Drive.

No impacts are anticipated to reach developed areas in the surrounding communities at this time.

Fire personnel and vehicles will be visible to the public at these locations. Motorists and visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through any fire vicinity.

 The Kaibab National Forest is one of many fire-adapted ecosystems. It is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining vibrant forest health. Decades of fire suppression has caused an abundance of fuels to build up, which can leave the forest vulnerable and susceptible to more dangerous high-severity wildfires. Managing naturally caused wildfires across the landscape is a very effective tool in restoring the forest to a healthier condition.

Additional information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the Fire Information Hotline at 928-635-8311 or contacting local ranger stations.

Hull and Ridge Wildfires Vicinity Map:

Fire managers on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are planning to begin the Road Hollow North and South prescribed fires this week as conditions allow, located along Forest Roads 22, 203/203A, 415, and 425 west of the Demotte Campground and north of the Rainbow Rim.

Crews plan to begin ignitions Wednesday, June 14, burning up to 4,020 acres on both burn units over the course of the next few days. Smoke may be visible from State Routes 67 and 89A, Demotte Campground, the Jacob Lake area,the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, and the towns of Fredonia, AZ, and Kanab, UT. Daytime winds should carry smoke northeast. Residual smoke will settle into drainages and low-lying areas around the Kaibab Plateau and House Rock Valley overnight.

Other projects planned for this spring are as follows:

• Three Lakes Unit (3,081 acres): Located south of Jacob Lake west of State Route 67

Exact ignition dates are unknown as burning is dependent upon daily agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in each prescribed fire plan. However, we are committed to providing the public with ongoing updates and as much advance notice as possible. Sign up to receive Kaibab NF news releases in your email.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants, and improves habitat for threatened and endangered species. These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. All prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest are subject to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program.

Information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the local ranger stations. 

The Flagstaff Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest plans to conduct a 1,332-acre prescribed burn this week northwest of Flagstaff as part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which seeks to restore healthier forest conditions fire-dependent ecosystems.

The Horseshoe-Wild Bill project is located 11 miles northwest of Flagstaff along the west side of U.S. Highway 180. This prescribed burn is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday but may be canceled if weather conditions – such as temperature, wind, or humidity – do not meet the criteria outlined in the burn plan.

Horseshoe-Wild Bill project:

• When: Wednesday through Thursday (June 14-15).
• Where: Located on the Flagstaff Ranger District 11 miles northwest of Flagstaff, (35°19'08.4"N 111°46'40.8"W). See the FRD Wild Bill project map.
• Why: As part of confronting the wildfire crisis, this burn will reintroduce fire into a fire-dependent ecosystem to help maintain forest fuels and help reduce the risk of severe wildfires in the area.
• Size: 1,332 acres.
• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast initial entry burn. Initial entry burns mean wildfire has not been through the area in a very long time and thus results in thicker smoke due to a large amount of forest fuels being present that must be burned.
• Duration: This burn is planned for two days.
• Smoke Impacts: Winds from the southwest should disperse smoke to the northeast, north of the San Francisco Peaks during the day, and smoke may impact areas along the highway. Firefighters will be coordinating with the Arizona Department of Transportation on timing to implement traffic control as they burn. Nighttime smoke may drain southwest to Bellemont and may impact Interstate 40.
• Closures/Restrictions: There are no anticipated road or trail closures.

Prescribed burns are always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed burns on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino NF burns begin with the designator “COF.”

During prescribed burns, smoke will be visible from several areas across the forest. Please refrain from contacting dispatch or 911 to report prescribed burn smoke so lines can remain open for emergencies.

The Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to increase prescribed burning and other treatments across the landscape to improve forest resiliency for generations to come. With that work comes more smoke which can have an impact on both the public and our responders.

We recognize that smoke impacts can affect residents and visitors in addition to our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with partners and communities to keep people informed about projects and potential smoke. Affected communities can learn more at airnow.gov.

Prior to conducting prescribed burns, the Coconino NF follows steps outlined in the agency-wide National Prescribed Fire Review. These steps include items such as validating and updating prescribed burn plans with the most recent science and modeling, incorporating new drought monitoring data, ensuring the patrol plan and long-term patrol strategy is documented and communicating with and involving landowners, cooperators, elected officials and partners as we implement prescribed fires.

Prescribed burns are an important part of maintaining forest health. For more information on why prescribed burns are conducted and how they benefit the landscape and help protect communities, please visit our Prescribed Fire and Forest Health webpage.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Tuesday, June 13. 

Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-road vehicle use should be avoided.

Take Action

• Drive as little as possible: carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit Valley Metro: www.ShareTheRide.com.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Reduce your time waiting in long drive-thru lines. For example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, or banks. Park your vehicle and go inside.
• Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
• Delay big painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
• Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Conserve electricity.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of ozone, Maricopa County Air Quality Department requests all Transportation Coordinators to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

Remind employees that they are encouraged to make more clean air. By taking small, simple steps every day, we can all make a difference. Additional tips on how to reduce air pollution can be found at www.CleanAirMakeMore.com.

Ozone: Ground level ozone is formed by a chemical reaction that needs heat from sunlight, nitrogen oxides and VOCs to form. The months of April through September make up our Valley’s longer-than-normal "ozone season."

 "High Pollution Advisory" or "HPA" means the highest concentration of pollution may exceed the federal health standard. Active children, adults and people with lung disease such as asthma should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Maricopa County employers enlisted in the Travel Reduction Program are asked to activate their HPA plans on high pollution advisory days.

Contractors plan to begin thinning small diameter trees on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, along a 2-mile section of Snowbowl Road approximately 2 miles up the road from where it intersects with U.S. Highway 180.

Operations will include the use of chainsaws and hand-piling logs and slash. All motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians in the area of operations should be aware of falling trees. These fuels reduction treatments will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire on the San Francisco Peaks, improve forest health and improve wildlife habitat.

For public safety, intermittent road closures of up to 30 minutes at a time may occur Monday through Friday outside of Snowbowl’s winter operating season. Signage will be displayed to alert the public and all motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians will be required to stop during intermittent road closures.

A map of the forest thinning project planned along Snowbowl Road:

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Ozone High Pollution Advisory for Friday, June 09 and Saturday, June 10

Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-road vehicle use should be avoided.

Take Action

• Drive as little as possible: carpool, use public transit, or telecommute. For information on transportation alternatives, visit Valley Metro: www.ShareTheRide.com.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Reduce your time waiting in long drive-thru lines. For example, at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, or banks. Park your vehicle and go inside.
• Use low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or water-based paints, stains, finishes and paint strippers.
• Delay big painting projects until HPAs have passed.
• Make sure containers of household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals and other solvents are sealed properly to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.
• Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Conserve electricity.

Transportation Coordinators

Due to unhealthy levels of ozone, Maricopa County Air Quality Department requests all Transportation Coordinators to email employees and activate your HPA plans. The department encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, especially when pollution levels are expected to be on the rise.

Remind employees that they are encouraged to make more clean air. By taking small, simple steps every day, we can all make a difference. Additional tips on how to reduce air pollution can be found at www.CleanAirMakeMore.com.

Crews continue to manage the Wilbur Fire, a lightning-caused wildfire located 8.5 miles west of Clints Well, Ariz., that is currently at 474 acres.

Highlights: An emergency area closure has gone into effect as of Thursday, June 8. Forest visitors who plan to recreate on National Forest System lands near Clints Well on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) of the Coconino National Forest should be aware of the closure and seek other recreational opportunities outside of the closure area.

Operations: Yesterday firefighters were able to complete hazard tree felling operations along State Routes (SR) 87 and 260 in coordination with the Arizona Department of Transportation. Traffic delays are not expected to occur over the weekend. Today resources will continue to prep holding features along the fire perimeter where future tactical firing operations can be expected when conditions are favorable to minimize smoke impacts. Fire managers plan to use the opportunity the Wilbur Fire provides to treat the landscape and restore the forest by burning accumulations of hazardous fuels and protecting both critical infrastructure and watersheds from future catastrophic wildfire.

Weather: Temperatures are forecasted to be 72 to 74 degrees Friday. Winds are expected to come from the southwest at 5-to-10 miles per hour. Very good ventilation is forecasted where smoke can disperse out of the surrounding area throughout the day.

Closures: The Coconino NF has issued an area closure to protect public health and safety from unsafe conditions resulting from the Wilbur Fire. The full closure order and map are available on the Coconino NF's website at fs.usda.gov/alerts/coconino/alerts-notices.

Safety: The Wilbur Fire is burning in an area with an extensive road system that firefighters are using for travel and as control 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 on roadways during operations.

Smoke: Impacts from smoke can be expected to be light through the weekend and visible from multiple locations including the Verde Valley and along Lake Mary Road (Forest Highway 3), SR 260, and SR 87. As temperatures cool overnight smoke may linger in drainages and valleys until daytime winds surface.

Fire details
Start Date: May 21, 2023
Cause: Lightning 
Acres: 474
Location: 8.5 miles west of Clints Well, Coconino National Forest, Mogollon Rim Ranger District 
Fuels: Ponderosa Pine, and Pinyon-Juniper
Total personnel: 115
Containment: 0%
Information Officer: 928-713-6349
Daily Update: Wilbur Fire Inciweb Site