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Fire managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to take advantage of favorable weather conditions and have planned several fuel treatments October 4th through October 30th.  All burning will be dependent on current and expected weather conditions.  Fire managers will utilize tactics to keep smoke impacts as minimal as possible.  These may include canceling approved burns when conditions aren’t favorable, timing daytime ignitions to allow the majority of smoke to disperse prior to settling overnight, and burning larger sections at a time when conditions are favorable to reduce the overall number of days smoke is in the area.

79/80: Broadcast burn unit. Approximately 662 acres located south of Groom Creek off Senator Hwy (FS Rd 52).  Fire managers may be utilizing aerial ignition devices in addition to ground ignitions on this prescribed burn.

Waterfalls: Broadcast burn unit. Approximately 644 acres located south of Groom Creek off Wolf Creek Rd (County Rd 101).  Fire managers may be utilizing aerial ignition devices in addition to ground ignitions on this prescribed burn.

High Valley Fuel Break Piles: Pile burn unit. Approximately 77 acres located south west of Prescott in between Copper Basin Rd (County Rd 64) and White Spar RD (Hwy 89).

Aspen Creek Piles: Pile burn unit. Approximately 152 acres located south west of Prescott near Copper Basin Rd (County Rd 64) and Thumb Butte Loop Rd (FS Rd 373) junction.

Lynx Creek Piles: Pile burn unit. Approximately 509 acres located south east of Prescott off Walker Rd (County Rd 57) 

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of all prescribed burn units as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.  Drivers should be prepared for short delays adjacent to operations along roads.  

Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. These burns will mimic natural fires by reducing hazardous fuels accumulations, and reintroduce fire into a fire dependent system; recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity.  Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority. 

All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather forecasts, fuels moisture levels and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as best as possible and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).

Messages will be posted to social media when managed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:

·         Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/)  

·         Twitter (https://twitter.com/PrescottNF?lang=en)

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
• Twitter:  @PrescottNF
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Fire Information:  (928) 925-1111
• Local Ranger Station:  Bradshaw RD (928) 443-8000

#2019Fallprescribedbu #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2paKIyV  2019 Fall prescribed burning: Prescribed burns planned this week

#IkesFire #AZ #AZGCP http://bit.ly/2nD1oOP  Ikes Fire: Kaibab National Forest expands closure in the Rainbow Rim area

#IkesFire #AZ #AZGCP http://bit.ly/2p3giOM  Ikes Fire: Kaibab National Forest expands closure in the Rainbow Rim area

#2019Fallprescribedbu #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2M1fJgf  2019 Fall prescribed burning: Prescribed burns begin Oct. 2. First RX burn on the Cr

#2019Fallprescribedbu #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2ofzIQa  2019 Fall prescribed burning: new photos have been uploaded to this incident

#2019Fallprescribedbu #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2mMfUnc  2019 Fall prescribed burning: new maps have been uploaded to this incident

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) will begin two separate prescribed fire projects in Coconino County this month.

The week of October 14, firefighters start work on the McCreary Prescribed Fire consisting of 475 acres of piles near Happy Jack, two miles north of Clint’s Well. The intent of the burn allows for the safe and efficient removal of debris piles from prior hazardous fuels reduction work to safeguard nearby communities. 

The McCreary Prescribed Fire project is planned for three days.

Also on October 14, work begins on the Raymond Wildlife Area Prescribed Fire near Winslow. The project is a partnership between DFFM and the Arizona Game and Fish Department to improve ecosystem health, allow for grassland restoration, and to increase forage production within Game and Fish lands.

The 14,665-acre Raymond Wildlife Area Prescribed Fire takes place over the course of a few years, of which, 500 acres is scheduled to be completed by December 2019.

All prescribed fires are weather dependent and must be approved by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality before ignitions start. Fire information will be updated on DFFM’s Twitter and Facebook pages and information will be shared via the agency’s social media application.

To download the free app, go to the iTunes or Google Play stores and search the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.

For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at [email protected]

#NewmanFire #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2oYaJkC  Newman Fire: Closure Lifted

#MuseumFireBAER #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2mGXJiJ  Museum Fire BAER: new photos have been uploaded to this incident

#MuseumFireBAER #AZ #AZCOF http://bit.ly/2od5zB8  Museum Fire BAER: Aerial Mulching Operations Almost Done

#SheridanFire #AZ #AZPNF http://bit.ly/2nwdzNu  Sheridan Fire: Sheridan Fire Area Closure Extended until October 24, 2019 at 6AM

For the protection of the public’s health and safety forest officials are extending the Sheridan Fire Area Closure which will now remain in effect until October 24th, at 6:00 am.

The Sheridan Fire is 80% contained and in monitor status; however potential hazards still exist in the fire area.  Risks in recently burned areas include burned out stump holes, unstable terrain, falling trees or limbs, and the potential for washed out roads and trails after a significant rain event.   

The extension will also allow the Prescott National Forest Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team time to finish their assessment of the impacts of the Sheridan Fire.  The BAER program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and lessen these threats through appropriate emergency actions to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources.

This assessment will determine and prioritize work within the fire area; followed by modeling and analyzing data before completing a report that will be given to Forest Service officials.

Closure:  County Road 68 (Camp Wood Road) is now open. All areas north of County Road 68 (Camp Wood Road) are open with the exception of a small area adjacent to Forest Service Roads 95 and 9821B (see map). The area south of County Road 68 (Camp Wood Road) remain closed. The current closure area map and detailed description are available on the Prescott National Forest website.

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
• Twitter:  @PrescottNF
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Fire Information:  (928) 925-1111
• Local Ranger Station:  Chino Valley RD (928) 777-2200

Effective Tuesday, October 1st at 6:00 am, the Prescott National Forest will lift the fire related area closure for the Cellar Fire east of Wagoner.      

Members of the public will be allowed to access the area, which had been closed due to public safety during ongoing fire operations, including areas of active fire, the presence of firefighting equipment and personnel; and for the public’s safety due to monsoon activity.  The public is advised to have heightened awareness about potential safety hazards and exercise increased vigilance regarding personal safety and understand that potential hazards can still exist. 

Potential risks in any area recently burned by wildfire include the following:

• Burned out stump holes that could cause injury if stepped in;
• Unstable terrain with potential for rolling debris (boulders, logs, rocks, etc.);
• Unsound burned trees (snags) that could fall or drop large limbs;
• Storms resulting in flash flooding that could wash out roads, initiate debris flows, and entrap people at flooded stream courses;
• Eroded and very rough roads that could result in unsafe driving conditions
• Blowing dust and ash on roads and hillsides.

Visitors are advised to follow these outdoor safety best practices:

1. Know the weather forecast and check it frequently as conditions can change in a very short timeframe.
2. Let someone outside the area know exactly where you are and where you will be going daily.
3. Do not park vehicles or camp in areas with burned snags or where potential flood waters would prevent escape. Know where you are in relation to drainages.
4. During windy conditions remain in open areas that are free of trees (both live and burned) as much as possible.
5. If an area seems unsafe for any reason, leave.
6. Have good maps and know where you are at all times.
7. Keep a well charged cell phone with you and check it frequently so you know when you are in an area where there is no coverage.    

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
• Twitter:  @PrescottNF
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Fire Information:  (928) 925-1111
• Local Ranger Station:  Bradshaw RD (928) 443-8000

#IkesFire #AZ #AZGCP http://bit.ly/2Yx8QeP  Ikes Fire: new maps have been uploaded to this incident

#CellarFire #AZ #AZPNF http://bit.ly/2p1yit7  Cellar Fire: Cellar Fire Area Closure Lifted

#IkesFire #AZ #AZGCP http://bit.ly/2nWHuhI  Ikes Fire: Minimal growth on Ikes Fire following wind event

After two days of strong winds over the wildfire, minimal growth occurred in critical areas of the Ikes Fire on the Kaibab Plateau. The wildfire remained at a little more than 11,000 acres in size despite the high wind event.

Last week, two helicopters were used over portions of the fire below the canyon rim in Quaking Aspen Canyon to reduce the threat to unburned areas on Kaibab National Forest lands northeast of Fire Point. While the helicopter water drops did not entirely extinguish the wildfire, they did moderate fire behavior during the critical wind event.

There is still potential for the Ikes Fire to move into unburned areas above and below the canyon rim. To prepare for this, fire crews have burned out along a containment line at Forest Road 271 on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest in order to assist in the control of future fire growth. Fire managers are also evaluating other potential opportunities to contain or limit the spread of the wildfire.

Although windy conditions will continue over the next several days, they are not expected to be nearly as severe as those that occurred Saturday and Sunday when the National Weather Service predicted sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph. Besides the high, gusty winds on Sunday, there were also low relative humidity levels, which were recorded at 14 percent.

Because of concerns for public and firefighter safety, the Rainbow Rim Trail and the viewpoints from Parissawampitts Point to Stina Point on the North Kaibab Ranger District are closed. Crazy Jug Point north of Parissawampitts is open. For hikers and mountain bikers, the Arizona National Scenic Trail is an alternative recreational opportunity while the Rainbow Rim Trail is closed. The Arizona National Scenic Trail is accessible from many points along Highway 67 and offers a variety of scenery, including views into the Grand Canyon.

Highway 67 and the North Rim Village, North Rim Lodge and businesses are open. However, some road and trail closures are in effect for the Ikes Fire area within Grand Canyon National Park. The following roads and trails are closed on the North Rim:

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

Smoke production from the Ikes Fire was minimal over the weekend but may be visible to those visiting the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Visitors traveling to the area should be aware of possible smoke along 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 at https://azdeq.gov/SmokeManagemet.

More information can be found at InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6475/. Visit www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for additional information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park.

For information about the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter.

#JohnsonFire #AZ #AZPNF http://bit.ly/2l6YhNR  Johnson Fire: new photos have been uploaded to this incident

The Prescott National Forest assumed command of the Johnson Fire this morning at 6 AM. Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3 were highly successful in managing the fire and produced a solid plan for the forest; for any future wildfires that may occur in the area.  Mario Orozco is the Type 4 Incident Commander for the Johnson Fire.  

Fire activity has been minimal with no growth over the last few days. Higher relative humidity helped to assist firefighter’s efforts on the ground. Firefighters will continue to closely monitor the fire on the ground and utilize aerial resources as needed.  The reduced complexity and low intensity of the fire warranted a reduction in resources as crews and equipment continue to de-mobilize. 

Hazards faced by remaining fire crews include poor road access and hazardous trees known as “snags”.  As fire moves through a heavily-wooded area many of the trees left behind are weakened by fire; combined with recent heavy rains and expected winds over the weekend; falling snags pose a real threat to crews working along ridge tops.

Crews near the fire perimeter will continue to mitigate hazards, extinguish hot spots, monitor and patrol the fire area.

Resources:  3 - Engines, 1- Crew, 1 Helicopter and miscellaneous medical resources and overhead personnel.

Campground Update: Upper Wolf Creek Group Campground and all designated dispersed camping sites in the southern portion of the Prescott Basin re-opened yesterday.  Lower Wolf Creek Campground will remain closed for the season.

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded when traveling along Forest Road 52 (Senator Highway) and Lower Wolf Creek to obey all traffic signs and use caution as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.   

Johnson Fire Overview:

Location:  8 miles south of Prescott, AZ on the Bradshaw Ranger District (T12N, R2W, S16) 

Start Date:  September 22nd

Size:  Approximately 166 acres 

Percent Contained:  75%

Cause:  Under Investigation  

Vegetation:  Brush, Pinyon and Timber

This will be the last news release for the Johnson Fire unless there is a significant change in fire activity.

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Fire Information:  (928) 925-1111
• Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
• Twitter:  @PrescottNF
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
• Local Ranger Station: Bradshaw Ranger District (928) 443-8000