FREDONIA — Fire managers are focusing on securing the northeast portion of the 1,289 acre Stina Fire as their top priority and began that with a small burn out operation today.
“We will continue to look for opportunities to secure the northeast flank, utilizing firing (burn out) opportunities when we can,” said Incident Commander Trainee Dave Veater.
The southeast portion of the fire is a lower priority than the northeast flank because this area has the Tipover Prescribed Fire from last fall directly in front Stina’s path providing a catcher’s mitt where fuels have been reduced. Elsewhere on the fire, firefighters completed hose lays and continued improving containment lines by removing vegetation. Also, two engines from the fire were utilized to suppress new lightning fires that were detected today on the North Kaibab Ranger District.
There are two 20-person hotshot crews and one 20-person Type-two hand crew, Seven fire engines and other totalling about 102 people on this fire. The fire fuel consists of Ponderosa pine, aspen and mixed conifer.
The Stina Fire is 23-miles southwest of Jacob Lake and about 2-miles east of Fire Point on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
Central West Zone Type 3 Team, continues to manage the 2,500-acre Cat Fire with full suppression tactics with a total of 88 personnel including two hotshot crews and nine engines. Fire management decisions are determined with consideration of firefighter safety, location of the fire, available resources, regional and national preparedness levels, and weather forecast.
Maintaining the integrity of cultural and natural resources within the Saddle Mountain Wilderness is a key management objective. “While we are concerned about these valuable resources, our most important resource is people,” said Incident Commander Rob Williams.
Typically, there has been an increase in fire behavior during the warm afternoon hours. Due to cooler temperatures and higher moisture, activity was minimal with a small flare up that put up visible smoke for a short time in the afternoon. Crews are continuing to improve indirect line around the fire and clean up fuel breaks along Forest Road (FR) 219, as well FR 610 in order to tie into the Fuller Fire scar. Two local engines from the Cat fire were utilized to suppress two new lightning starts that were detected this afternoon on the North Kaibab Ranger District.
Fire management resources have closed all roads within the planning area boundary, which includes FR 213 and 220 on the north, FR 610 on the east and south, and House Rock Valley Road 8910 on the east.
The following trails are closed: Arizona Trail from FR 213 to FR 610, North Canyon Trail, South Canyon Trail, Saddle Mountain Trail, and Pt. Imperial and Nankoweap Trails, which are both located on Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park land. The closure will remain in effect until it is considered safe to enter the area. Roads 213, 219, 220 south of 213, 610 (Marbleview, South Canyon), 611 (East Rim), and 8910 south of 220 are also closed.
Smoke is visible on both the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon park, and there is a regional haze present in surrounding communities from multiple wildfires in the West. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public Health Services District website at: http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.