TUSAYAN – Fire managers anticipate starting multiple prescribed fire treatment projects on the Tusayan Ranger District as early as Thursday. Officials hope to treat approximately 3,000 acres with fire before wet weather conditions arrive for the winter.
Prescribed fire treatments require that fire managers continuously monitor weather and fuel conditions throughout the treatment process in order to ensure firefighter and visitor safety. The following prescribed treatments are scheduled for the upcoming week but will only be implemented only once conditions are favorable to do so:
Russell Prescribed Fire: The Russell project is comprised of three burn units totaling about 800 acres, and is located adjacent to the Russell Tank area on the east side of the district. This burn unit is mainly comprised of ponderosa pine with oak and juniper. Forest Service Road (FSR) 311 and a section of the Arizona Trail will be within the immediate area to be treated. The trail will remain open to the public but users are asked to avoid active sections of the trail where fire is present and use caution when traveling through the area.
Scott Prescribed Fire: The Scott project is comprised of three burn units totaling about 800 acres, and is located within the vicinity of FSR 310 and west of the Grand View Lookout Tower along FSR 2719. This burn unit is mainly comprised of ponderosa pine. A section of the Arizona Trail falls within one burn unit near the Grand Canyon National Park boundary and will remain open during operations; however, hikers are asked to use caution and follow the direction of fire personnel when moving through the area. Smoke may be visible from State Highway 64 along the east rim drive, but is not expected to significantly hinder the air quality.
Flying J Prescribed Fire: The Flying J project is located just west of the town of Tusayan and is approximately 450 acres. Fire Managers will evaluate conditions closely with this project due to its proximity to developed areas in the vicinity. Smoke mitigation will be a top priority and will influence decisions prior to ignitions taking place and throughout daily operations. Smoke will be visible from rural areas and along State Highway 64.