Daily Archives: June 21, 2016

Learn more about AZGFD’s wildlife conservation activities

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Game_Trails_Spr16_thumbThe Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Wildlife Management Division produces periodic newsletters with overviews of AZGFD conservation projects and activities. One of the newsletters is “Game Trails,” and the latest edition can be viewed here.

Topics in this edition include management of the bison herd at the Raymond Wildlife Area, disease monitoring of bighorn sheep in the Black Mountains, safe capture and handling methods in the Sonoran pronghorn recovery project, and the upgrade of a water catchment providing water for wildlife on the Arizona Strip. 

We invite you to check out the other newsletters from our Wildlife Management Division at https://www.azgfd.com/Wildlife/WildlifeNewsletters.

There are many other ways to connect with the Arizona Game and Fish Department:

We invite you to utilize all of them to find out more about AZGFD’s activities, projects and programs; read compelling stories about wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation; view outstanding videos and still photography; and learn about upcoming events.

Bert Fire experiences largest day of growth

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800-bert-160620-1046WILLIAMS — As expected, the Bert Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest reached its largest day of growth yesterday with just over 700 acres of fire spread bringing the total burned area to 5445 acres.

The Bert Fire is located ten-miles southeast of Valle on highway 180 near Ebert Mountain.

The Northern Arizona Type 3 incident management team assumed management on Tuesday morning after a predicted increase in fire activity. Crews were ready for the change in fire behavior as near record high temperatures combined with low relative humidity prompted the anticipated growth. Containment lines held while several land management objectives continued to be met with positive results including key improvements to grassland restoration.

An increase in high lifting smoke was visible from far reaching areas surrounding the vicinity of the fire but overnight impacts remained minimal. Smoke may continue to be noticeable over the next several days until monsoonal precipitation eventually arrives.

Wildcat Fire 70% contained

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FREDONIA — The final report on the lightning-caused, 1,502-acre Wildcat Fire on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest is 70 percent contained, with no additional fire growth anticipated.

The fire started June 13 south of Highway 89A in the vicinity of the Saddle Mountain Wilderness. A crew of 238 personnel have been monitoring the fire with a goal of full suppression. On Sunday, excessive temperatures caused two fire fighters to be treated for heat-realated illnesses.

There has been no growth on the Wildcat Fire for several days. Crews have successfully mopped up 100 feet in from the fire edge along 70 percent of the fire. In the wilderness, hand crews have extinguished hot spots while implementing Minimal Impact Suppression Tactics. Infrared photography shows little heat, and no spot fires have been found across the fire’s edge in days. Responsibility for management of the Wildcat Fire passed from Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 back to the Kaibab National Forest this morning. A smaller fire organization will patrol and mop up the fire until it is 100 percent contained.

As a reminder, both the North and South Canyon trails are temporarily closed in order to provide for public and firefighter safety. Public notifications will be released once the closure is rescinded. The North Canyon Trail closure starts at Forest Road 631 and extends to the intersection of the Arizona Trail on the west side, approximately three-quarters of a mile from FR 611. The South Canyon Trail closure starts at FR 211 and extends to the west side trailhead near the junction of FR 610 and FR 2599.

New bridge at Hell Canyon on SR 89 opens Thursday night

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The new bridge at Hell Canyon on State Route 89 at milepost 345 will open to traffic on Thursday (June 23) by midnight. Minimal impacts are expected.

For the past year, crews have been working on a new $14.4 million improvement project which included the construction a new four-span steel-plate girder bridge to the east of the existing bridge. The removal of the existing three-span steel deck truss bridge is expected to occur in mid-July.

ADOT advises drivers to proceed through the work zones with caution, slow down, and be alert for construction equipment and personnel.