Two Natural Fires Continue To Grow; Burning Continues Near Kendrick Peak

Release Date: Aug 30, 2004

Contact(s): Coconino Supervisor's Office - 928-527-3600

 

 WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Two wildland fire use fires on the Kaibab National Forest continue to grow and improve ecosystem health by recycling nutrients, enhancing habitat for wildlife, and reducing the risk of high-intensity wildland fires.

The Camp 36 Fire, which is burning on the forest’s Tusayan Ranger District, has treated 1,710 acres about four miles south of Grandview Lookout Tower. The fire, which was first reported Aug. 8, has grown about 150 acres or more per day for the last several days.

“The drier, warmer weather has kept this fire moving,” said Dave Mills, assistant fire management officer for the Tusayan Ranger District. “The fire is remaining on the ground, which is where we want it, and is having positive effects on the landscape. Watching the re-establishment of fire as a natural process is a fascinating experience.”

The Wild Steer Fire, which is burning on the forest’s Williams Ranger District, has treated 430 acres. The fire, which started when lightning hit a large ponderosa pine tree, is located about six miles south of Bill Williams Mountain near Wild Steer Mesa. If weather conditions remain warm and dry, the Wild Steer Fire will likely continue growing and cleaning up woody debris, duff and vegetation on the forest floor.

Once the decision is made that a fire will be put into wildland fire use status, fire managers actively manage the fire by determining the appropriate boundaries, weather conditions, fuels conditions, and more, under which the fire will be allowed to burn. Wildland fire use incidents are always actively managed – not simply left to burn on their own.

On the Williams Ranger District, fire managers are also continuing a prescribed burn near Kendrick Mountain. The burn, which is intended to reduce forest fuels and lessen the threat of high-intensity wildland fires, is located on the northwest side of Kendrick Peak. Firefighters completed burning on 166 acres just west of Bull Basin Friday. Fire managers plan to burn 80 acres today and 70 acres tomorrow.

The prescribed burning will clean up the accumulation of natural litter on the forest floor in the Kendrick project area. By removing that layer of debris, the risk of high-intensity wildland fires is reduced. Smoke from the Kendrick burn will likely be visible from Interstate 40 between Flagstaff and Williams.

For more information, please contact Jackie Denk at 928-635-5607.