Daily Archives: August 15, 2019

Bellemont Area Plan public hearing schedule announced

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FLAGSTAFF – A public hearing for the draft of the updated Bellemont Area Plan is scheduled with the Coconino County Planning and Zoning Commission. The public is invited to attend.

The Bellemont Area Plan is a land use planning document that will guide land use and development in Bellemont for the next 20 years. Over the past 24 months, a committee of Bellemont residents, property owners and business owners have worked to develop the draft plan. The public hearings will be an opportunity for the community to hear the details of the updated plan containing the vision for Bellemont’s future. People can learn about how the updated plan addresses goals and policies for land use, transportation, community services and other issues identified during the process. The public hearings provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the draft plan and its contents.

The Planning and Zoning Commission held its first hearing on June 26 and continued the item to August 28, 2019. The Board of Supervisors hearing will be scheduled after the Commission makes a recommendation.

For questions and to view the draft plan, visit the Planning and Zoning webpage at http://www.coconino.az.gov/1948/Long-Range-Planning.

Castle Fire now in hold and patrol stage

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FREDONIA — Operations have been successful in allowing the lightning caused Castle Fire to reduce accumulations of dead and down forest vegetation. This will contribute to a regeneration and renewal of this area, creating new habitat for wildlife while forming a buffer for larger fires that may occur in the future.

Three engines will focus on patrolling and ensuring the perimeter of the fire area is secure. Other firefighting personnel will continue identifying and removing hazard trees that could pose a risk. Fire managers are monitoring the Castle Fire from the air and ground. The Type 3 Incident Management Team with IC Brandon Allen could be in transition for at least a couple of days before transferring command of the Castle Fire to a smaller Type 4 Incident Management organization due to the anticipation of stronger winds in the forecast for Friday.

The Castle Fire will continue to generate smoke until a wetting rain occurs. Smoke will be visible from surrounding communities. Please see www.airnow.gov for local air quality conditions and related information.

Today, the weather forecast calls for mostly clear skies and no precipitation is expected. 15-25 mph winds are in the forecast for Friday. 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. Better mapping of the pre-identified planning area has indicated a decrease in acreage from 19,632 to 19,368. The fire has burned through 96% 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/

Boulin Fire grows to 1155-acres

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WILLIAMS — Slightly warmer temperatures yesterday propelled the Boulin Fire on the Williams Ranger District to grow an additional 400 acres bringing the total size to 1155. Growth can be expected as weather conditions remain warm and dry.

Fire behavior continues to burn with a low to moderate intensity backing through grasses and ponderosa pine litter consuming dead and down fuels. Crews periodically ignite the edges of the containment lines to stay aligned with the fires natural progression. There have been no holding problems as the fire advances within the planning area.

A drone intrusion was averted, yesterday when fire officials received a report from an alert local resident who witnessed seeing an individual preparing to operate an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), also known as “drones,” in the immediate fire area. Although no contact was made, it is critically important to remind people to avoid operating these type of aircraft anywhere near an active wildfire or prescribed fire to ensure the safety of firefighters and the effectiveness of operations.

“It may be hard for individuals who aren’t familiar with wildfire operations to understand why it’s so dangerous for them to fly a UAS over a wildfire,” said Jim Burton, Safety Officer on the Boulin Fire. “Firefighting aircraft typically fly in smoky, windy, and turbulent conditions. Safety depends on knowing what other aircraft are operating in the airspace and where they are at all times. This can be compromised by the presence of unauthorized aircraft, including UAS.”

Saber Fire is growing slowly, cleaning the landscape

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FLAGSTAFF August 14, 2019 – The Saber Fire produced minimal smoke Tuesday as it grew to 75 acres while it continued to move slowly across the landscape within the 2009 Taylor Fire burn scar.

Coconino National Forest Photo

Fire managers are pleased with the observed fire effects. The Saber Fire is consuming and eliminating hazardous dead and down forest fuels left behind from the Taylor Fire. Hazardous fuels include snags, fallen trees and thick brush. Reduction of these excess fuels will reduce to the likelihood of severe wildfires moving through the area in the future.

Today, crews will remove fuels around the Turkey Butte lookout and along the Arizona Public Service (APS) high voltage electrical powerlines in preparation for anticipated firing operations later this week. Removing fuels allows firefighters to safely conduct low intensity ignition operations to eliminate sources of fuel around these values at risk, ahead of the fire, in order to secure and protect infrastructure and powerlines.

Firefighters will continue to scout and prepare contingency lines around the planned fire perimeter to ensure the fire remains within the predetermined planning area.

Fire managers do not anticipate a significant increase in smoke impacts over the next few days. Smoke will lift during the day and may be visible from Sedona, Verde Valley, Oak Creek Canyon, state Route 89A, Interstate 40, Interstate 17 and Flagstaff. Smoke may settle overnight into drainages and canyons flowing into communities at lower elevations below the Mogollon Rim.

The public should avoid the immediate fire area near Turkey Butte and drive with caution in the forest as smoke may impact visibility where wildland firefighters are working.

Information on the Saber fire can be found at InciWeb.