Category Archives: National Government

Ikes Fire Remains Active Despite Regular Rain Showers

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GRAND CANYON — The Ikes Fire has seen minimal growth over the past 2 days due to multiple rain showers over the fire area. “Due to moisture, fire activity has been limited,” stated Paul Lemmon, Ikes Fire Incident Commander. “But the fire continues to burn within the duff layer of needles, leaf litter, and downed logs along the forest floor.”

The weather forecast for the next several days predicts higher temperatures, lower humidity, and a low chance of rain. “With predicted hotter and drier weather the next 6 to 10 days, there could be potential for increased fire behavior” stated Lemmon.

Firefighters continue 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. 59 personnel are currently assigned to the Ikes Fire.

The Ikes Fire, which started on July 25th due to lighting 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.

Closure Orders remain in effect for both the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park for the Ikes Fire. Learn more about the official closure orders by visiting https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6475/.

Fire managers will continue the strategy of confinement and containment in the 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.

Deadline approaches to submit proposals for Coconino RAC grants

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FLAGSTAFF — Grant applications are now being accepted by the Coconino Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) for projects that qualify for funding under the authority of the Secure Rural Schools and Communities Self-Determination Act.

The primary location for projects must be on federal lands within Coconino County, which includes the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests, and small sections of the Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. However, projects can also be on non-federal lands within Coconino County where it is clearly demonstrated that the project benefits resources on the national forests.

The Act authorizes grants to federal agencies, state and local governments, private and non-profit entities, and tribal governments for projects that improve the maintenance of existing infrastructure such as roads, trails, recreation facilities or projects that improve forest health and restore and improve land health and water quality.

Some examples of eligible projects include:

  • Road, trail, and infrastructure maintenance or obliteration,
  • Soil productivity improvement,
  • Improvements to forest ecosystem health, including forest thinning,
  • Watershed and stream restoration and maintenance,
  • Restoration, maintenance, and improvement of wildlife habitat,
  • Control of noxious weeds,
  • Re-establishment of native species.

Each project proposal will be evaluated on its cost-effectiveness, to what extent partners are involved, how the project improves the quality of human life including any employment opportunities, and how the project will improve watersheds and forest ecosystem health in general. The total amount to be dispersed by the committee includes approximately $475,000. The Act requires at least half of these funds to be “spent on projects which include sale of forest products and meet land management objectives.”

The Act allows funds to be used for the costs of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis, or for on-the-ground project implementation. All project proposals for on-the-ground project work need to be NEPA sufficient at the time of the proposal.

Proposals are submitted online at www.tinyurl.com/RACproposal, and the proponent must choose “Coconino” for the Name of Resource Advisory Committee block to submit their project to the Coconino RAC. Unfortunately, the online submission form does not have any option to save and return at a later time to submit the application.

Therefore, it is recommended that proponents complete their proposal application in a word-processing program beforehand, so they can save and edit before copying and pasting into the actual online application for submission. Once proponents click “Submit Project” at the bottom of the project submission page, no edits will be allowed afterwards.

Deadline for submission of project proposals is Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 at 4 p.m. Proposals submitted after the stated deadline will not be accepted.

The public and proponents are welcome to attend the RAC meeting where proponents may get a chance to make a short presentation and answer questions about their proposal before the RAC determines which proposals should receive funding.

More information about the Secure Rural Schools Act Reauthorization can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/pts/, and general information about RACs can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/main/pts/specialprojects/racs.

For questions regarding the Coconino RAC, please contact the RAC Coordinator, Brady Smith, at 928-527-3490 or by email at brady.smith@usda.gov.

New Lightning Caused Fire on Williams Ranger District Being Considered for Resource Benefit and Community Protection Objectives

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WILLIAMS – A new lightning caused wildfire discovered on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has grown to just over two acres. Located about 9 miles north of Parks at the northwest corner of Spring Valley, the “Boulin Fire” was detected by a local resident on Tuesday morning August 6.

Firefighters have been on scene since the initial response on Tuesday and will continue to monitor this fire daily. Due to the location, this fire is being assessed for the potential benefits of reducing hazardous fuel accumulations, increasing protection of local private inholdings, and restoring forest health. The overall strategy will be to contain the fire within a road system and various control features.

The Boulin Fire is burning in a Ponderosa pine fuel type with continuous grasses. The goal is to allow the fire to burn as it would naturally as long as it can be safely managed while meeting objectives. Growth potential may Increase at times as weather conditions become warmer and drier over the next several days.

Smoke from the Boulin Fire is already noticeable from residential areas and will likely continue to be visible in the days ahead from surrounding communities that include Spring Valley, Parks, Red Lakes, and Pumpkin Center. Fire managers will monitor smoke closely and make every effort to minimize the impacts to residents in the vicinity.

Additional information about the Boulin Fire, and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

· InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6511/
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
· Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
· Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
· Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311

Castle Fire firefighting organization scales back

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FREDONIA — The Castle Fire’s acreage continues to hold at 16,538 for the third day in a row. Precipitation and increased humidity have affected fire behavior causing a temporary stall in the fire’s growth. With warm, dry days in the forecast, the fire may regain momentum and continue its path through remaining unburned fuels in the area of Lookout Canyon.

Over the past 28 days, since the fire started on July 12th, the number and type of firefighting resources assigned to the Type 3 Incident Management organization have increased or lessened, based on the level of fire activity. The transitions have been fluid and right-sized to meet daily and ultimately, the overall objectives of the Castle Fire.

The objectives are clearly stated in the daily Incident Action Plan that outlines the specific goals for each day’s work. Objectives for the Castle Fire are:

  • Utilize deliberate risk management process to ensure that incident responders are only committed where, and when they can be successful, with the least exposure necessary.
  • Allow fire to function as a natural disturbance process within the ecosystem to reduce accumulations of forest fuels that may exist in the area.
  • Limit fire intensity to prevent adverse impacts to cultural and natural resources.
  • Hold fire within the planning area.

With no new growth over the past few days, firefighters remain focused on fire-related work within the 19,632-acre planning area. The work includes mastication in Lookout Canyon, firing operations, aerial ignitions and pile burning of interior unburned fuels, fence and suppression repair, and clean up.

The Castle Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.

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

Road resurfacing and other maintenance work to begin this week on Forest Road 108 near Coleman Lake

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WILLIAMS — A contractor working for the Kaibab National Forest will begin a road maintenance project this week on Forest Road 108 in the vicinity of Coleman Lake on the Williams Ranger District in order to ensure the popular route continues to meet Forest Service road standards.

This work will include roadway reconditioning and resurfacing on an approximately 6.4-mile stretch of FR 108, beginning at its junction with County Road 73 and heading west past Coleman Lake to the project end. Additional work will include the installation of culverts along the route. The road work will improve safety conditions and enhance visitor experience when traveling to popular recreation areas on the forest.

The sources of material for this road maintenance work will be both Ruin Pit, which is located off FR 110 near JD Dam Lake, and Dead Horse Pit, which is located off FR 139. As most of the material is expected to come from Ruin Pit, heavy truck traffic may be present along the haul route, which includes forest roads 110, 109 and 12. Truck traffic may also be noticeable along FR 139 when Dead Horse Pit is used to access material. Motorists should always use caution when driving near heavy trucks and equipment.

Forest Service road engineers anticipate that the resurfacing project, which began today, will be complete by mid-September, barring any weather delays. While the impacted forest roads will not be closed during the project, motorists can expect delays and should exercise caution while traveling through the area due to varying road conditions and the presence of heavy equipment. Travelers on FR 108 could expect delays of about 30 minutes and are urged to drive slowly through the entire construction zone.

FR 108 is used frequently by Kaibab National Forest visitors to access camping, hunting and other recreational opportunities. Forest visitors seeking a spot for dispersed camping are encouraged to consider other routes on the Williams Ranger District during the duration of the road maintenance work given the likelihood of dust and noise near the project area.

Forest Service engineers regularly evaluate and monitor road conditions across the forest to determine priorities for work. FR 108 has been in need of reconditioning and resurfacing for some time, and forest managers expect visitors to have an improved experience once the current project is complete.

To contact the Williams Ranger District office, call (928) 635-5600.

Work continues on Castle fire amidst rainshowers

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FREDONIA— The Castle Fire’s acreage held at 16,538 today due to more consistent showers over the fire area. Precipitation has a direct effect of fire behavior by moderating or temporarily halting the spead of the fire. This does not mean the end of the fire, however. Warmer, drier days, such as those predicted in the long-term forecast can provide just enough heat to keep the fire moving through the fuels that are still available in the unburned areas. The weather forecast for today is partly cloudy with a light chance of thunderstorms in the morning followed by an increasing chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Over the past 27 days, since the fire started on July 12th, firefighters have continually worked on securing the 28-mile perimeter of the planning area. They had to assess and prioritize their day’s work based on the expected fire activity and potential rate of spread.

Staying ahead of the fire has been critical to the success of keeping it within the planning area. During the recent intermittent rainshowers, firefighters continue to stay busy working on suppression repair work in and around the planning area. Mastication work is also ongoing along Forest Road 226, which defines the westernmost boundary of the planning area. Constant monitoring and patrolling of the fireline is essential in ensuring that it is secure and that the fire has no opportunity to breach the line.

The origin of the fire is located about 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon.

The Castle Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.

Castle Fire pushes on reaching 15,000 acres

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FREDONIA — The Castle Fire made another push westward on Monday, resulting in a 3,100-acre gain. The fire’s path has covered 15,000 acres within the pre-identified planning area of 19,632 acres. Favorable conditions including dry weather over the western edge of the planning area, available fuels and topography have contributed to the fire’s spread.

The Castle Fire started on July 12th and it has been allowed to burn naturally across the landscape. Allowing this lightning-caused fire to burn across the landscape during this time of the year was a strategic decision by fire managers. The fire intensity was mostly low to moderate, with occasional flare ups in dense pockets of fuel.Under the right conditions, fire helps break down nutrients and minerals in plants and other debris such as old logs and dense undergrowth and restores them to the soil, resulting in a more fertile forest floor.

Firefighters will continue with firing operations and mastication work to ensure that the western and southern perimeters are secure enough to hold the fire. The biggest challenge along Forest Road 226, which is also the western perimeter of the planning area, has been the powerline that exists along this corridor. Firefighters have been working diligently to ensure that any potential for increased fire behavior has been mitigated. This work, coupled with the fire’s positive effects on the land will result in long lasting improvements, both ecologically and to existing infrastructure.

Today’s weather forecast: partly cloudy then mostly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

The fire’s origin is located about 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon.

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

Risk of post-fire flooding as Museum Fire nears full containment

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FLAGSTAFF – Containment of the 1,961-acre Museum Fire increased to 91 percent yesterday, with high humidity decreasing fire behavior within the perimeter. The cause is still under investigation.

Resources assigned to the fire include: 4 hotshot crews; 1 Type 2 hand crew; 2 helicopters; 5 engines; and, 1 dozer.

Yesterday, firefighters completed chipping operations along Forest Road 789 as a part of suppression repair efforts. Chipping operations will continue today near Shultz Tank. Crews are working with heavy equipment to stabilize roads in the fire area and will continue to patrol and hold the containment line, cooling hot spots as necessary.

The potential for strong thunderstorms exists through Friday. Understand that all drainages within and downstream of the burned area can produce flash flooding. Flash floods can occur even though it is not raining where you are – it may be raining hard further upstream.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is evaluating watershed conditions to determine the level of potential risks on National Forest System lands to human life, safety, property, critical natural and cultural resources, and determine appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding and debris flow. A BAER team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area. BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals who can prescribe emergency response actions that can be implemented quickly and effectively.

Today, the BAER Team will complete their risk assessment for BAER critical values. This risk assessment will be used to develop treatment recommendations for land managers.

Prior to visiting the Coconino National Forest, be sure to view the map of the Museum Fire Public Safety closure area. Detailed information and a map are available on Inciweb at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/6450/0/93533.

The Museum Fire Information phone line remains open from 8 AM to 6 PM at 928-288-2484. Information is also available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/museumfireinfo and Twitter @MuseumFireInfo.

FEMA and FCC Conduct Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test

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WASHINGTON – FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

The nationwide test will be sent to radio and television stations beginning at 2:20 p.m. EDT.

The test is being conducted through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). This year, the test message will originate from designated radio stations, known as Primary Entry Point stations, which participate in a component of IPAWS called the National Public Warning System.

All other radio and television stations, cable, wireline service providers, and direct broadcast satellite service providers should subsequently receive and broadcast the test message.

This year’s test will evaluate the readiness of the national alerting capability in the absence of internet connectivity. The test will be approximately one minute long, have a limited impact on the public with only minor interruption of radio and television programs, and will be similar to regular monthly EAS tests. Both the audio message and text crawl should be accessible to people with disabilities.

The test will not include a message on cell phones via Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Castle Fire slowly continues burning towards Riggs Canyon

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FREDONIA — Excellent progress is being made in securing the entire perimeter of the 19,368-acre planning area which defines the outermost boundary of the Castle Fire. The fire has burned north and south from its point of origin, traversing almost 12 miles of the eastern perimeter of the planning area. As the fire established itself, it gained depth and started spreading southwest towards Riggs Canyon.

Traveling across the landscape, the fire is consuming dead and down material, leaving a footprint of lightly smoldering fine surface fuels and the area is now primed for regeneration. Active flames are mostly occurring on the flaming front of the fire, which constitutes a small percentage of the 7,900 acres that have burned over the past 19 days.

Although scattered thunderstorms have visited the general area over the past week, no precipitation has materialized over the Castle Fire. When the rains do arrive however, they will be the catalyst for restoring and renewing the area that the fire has visited.

Since July 12th, the lightning-caused Castle Fire has grown to 7,900 acres. It has now moved across about 40% of the planning area and has 177 personnel assigned. The fire’s origin is located about 11 miles south of Jacob Lake, 3 miles west of Highway 67, and just east of Forest Road 761 near Oquer Canyon.

Following long-term planning and preparation for a natural ignition to occur in the right place and at the right time, fire managers have been allowing the fire to burn naturally within its pre-defined 19,368-acre planning area.

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

The Castle Fire poses no danger to structures or other local infrastructure.