Daily Archives: August 12, 2019

Boulin Fire Increasing in Size, Protection Operations Ramp Up

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WILLIAMS — As warm temperatures and dry conditions endure, the 30 acre Boulin Fire on the Williams Ranger District is actively growing and is expected to continue spreading favorably over the next few days.

Yesterday crews prepared a section of the Historic Beale Wagon Trail (Forest road 713) along the northeast portion of the planning area for a black line operation to secure the fire at the containment edge. Management ignitions are scheduled to occur today that will include a helicopter for aerial ignition of steeper terrain, while ground crews secure control lines near private residences.

“Our priority for today’s operations will be focused around the protection of residences and private property adjacent to this fire” said Incident Commander Trainee Tyler Richwine. “Once completed, we are confident that the risks will be greatly reduced removing any threat the fire could pose to these inholdings”. These methods are used when necessary to provide for the protection of life, property, and public safety.

Although the initial planning area was defined at 4200 acres, fire may not necessarily move thru the entire designated landscape. Other effective control features will likely be considered as opportunities arise and objectives are being accomplished. Changing weather conditions will also be an influencing factor in the fires behavior and final size.

A noticeable increase in smoke volume will occur today however will reduce rapidly after the ignition operation is complete. Ventilation is expected to be very good throughout the day lessening the effects overnight. This strategy will also reduce the total number of days smoke could potentially linger in the vicinity. Smoke will continue to be visible from Highway 64 and many communities Including Williams, Pittman Valley, Garland Prairie, Spring Valley, Parks, Red Lake, Pumpkin Center, Bellemont, and Flagstaff.

For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Ikes Fire Grows Due To Warmer, Drier Weather

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GRAND CANYON – The Ikes Fire has grown to 85 acres due to warmer, drier weather over the past few days. An increase in fire activity is occurring on south facing slopes due to more direct sunlight allowing vegetation to dry out from recent monsoonal activity. Fire continues to spread along the forest floor through the understory and duff layer.

Approximately 40 personnel are assigned to the Ikes Fire. Firefighters are working to improve control lines along the National Park Service W4 Road and Forest Road 223. These roads serve as the southern and northern boundaries of the fire’s planning area. Over the coming days firefighters may conduct firing operations in order to keep fire activity at a low to moderate intensity. This method is used to strengthen control lines by decreasing the amount of vegetation available to the Ikes Fire as it naturally spreads toward the designated planning area boundaries. Firing operations are weather dependent and may produce smoke visible to the North and South Rims of the Grand Canyon.

The Ikes Fire, which started on July 25th due to lightning strike, is located 3 miles east of

Swamp Point on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The fire is less than 1 mile south of the boundary with the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Closures remain in effect for the Ikes Fire and more information can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6475/.

Fire managers will continue the strategy of confinement and containment for the Ikes Fire planning area while providing for point protection of identified sensitive natural and cultural resources. The Ikes Fire poses no danger to structures or local infrastructure.

Over the weekend, Grand Canyon identified 3 lightning caused fires. The Royal Fire, Sinkhole Fire, and Outlet Fire located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park are 100% contained due to full suppression tactics. Suppression tactics include firefighters building containment line around the perimeter and receiving aerial support from helicopter bucket drops. The Outlet Fire may produce visible smoke to the west of the North Rim Lodge.

Castle Fire’s smoke is due to warming trend

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FREDONIA — The visible increase in smoke from the Castle Fire is due to the warmer and drier trend in weather. Yesterday, the Castle Fire continued to spread into Lookout Canyon generating smoke both from its movement south to the confinement lines and from interior pockets of dead and down vegetation fanned by light winds. These pockets of dead and down fuel will continue smoldering for several weeks or until a significant amount of wetting rain occurs on the fire area.

Fire managers took advantage of ideal weather conditions to widen the lines of confinement using firing operations to stay ahead of the main fire and regulate fire intensities. Overall, fire managers were very pleased with the work accomplished yesterday which included rehab and cleanup of suppression activities from the masticators, dozers and skidders.

The sporadic monsoon patterns have been essential in helping fire managers attain the desired low to moderate fire behavior needed to consume forest litter and dead down vegetation, while protecting stands of ponderosa pine and improving forest health.

Today’s weather forecast calls for mostly sunny with no precipitation. The warmer and drier trend is forecasted to continue until Thursday. Under these favorable weather conditions, the Castle Fire is expected to continue its push through Lookout Canyon towards Dugway. Smoke will be visible as fire behavior increases during the peak burning period which is mid-day to late afternoon.

Soon after the Castle Fire started on July 12th, fire managers pre-identified the 19,632-acre planning area where the lightning-caused wildfire would be allowed to fulfill its natural role within a fire-dependent ecosystem. The fire has burned through 92% of the planning area, burning through a significant amount of dead and down trees and some mixed conifer species. By allowing the wildfire to naturally burn through this area, the ecosystem will become healthier and more resilient.

A Closure Order remains in effect for the Castle Fire area: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6439/