Fires Update June 1 , 2016: Mormon, Pivot Rock, and Jack managed wildfires

Release Date: Jun 1, 2016

Contact(s): Coconino National Forest Supervisor's Office 928-527-3600, Media Contact: George Jozens 928-527-3412, Media Contact: Brady Smith 928-527-3490


Flagstaff, Arizona — Fire managers with the Coconino National Forest continue to utilize lightning-caused wildfires to reduce forest fuels, while actively protecting values in the area such as power lines, communities, archaeological sites and sensitive habitats.

Information and details about the fires, including their objectives, will be updated on Inciweb. Quick updates will also be provided on @CoconinoNF on Twitter, so please follow us if you would like to be updated as information is received. The public can report smoke impacts online.

 

JACK FIRE OVERVIEW

  • Start Date: May 29, 2016
  • Cause: Lightning.
  • Location: About 14 miles north of Clints Well on the east side of Lake Mary Road, along Forest Roads 294 and 294C.
  • Current Size: Approximately 540 acres.
  • Resources: 2-Type 3 engines, 2-Type 6 engines, and various firefighting individuals, totaling 30 personnel.
  • Smoke: Smoke will be visible from Lake Mary Road as well as the communities of Clints Well, Happy Jack, Payson, Pine, Strawberry and the Verde Valley. Smoke will disperse during the day to the south directly on the fire in the morning and then will shift to the east this afternoon at 10 mph. Winds aloft will move the smoke regional south this morning and then shift to the southeast this afternoon. At night, light smoke from the fire is expected to settle into low areas and nearby canyons, Blue Ridge neighborhoods and the Clear Creek communities. 
  • Closures: None at this time. Motorists in the area of the fire are encouraged to slow down, as firefighters and equipment will be working in the area.
  • Recent & Current Operations: Burnout operations and other suppression tactics were used to protect WAPA powerlines last night. The burnout was successful and did not impact operation of the powerline despite adverse wind conditions. Crews will continue to prepare road 1294 and the powerline today as well as burnout as conditions allow. These firing operations are to protect important sensitive wildlife, culture significant sights and other values which may be at risk such as the powerlines, surrounding communities and private property in the area.

 

MORMON FIRE OVERVIEW

  • Start Date: May 15, 2016.
  • Cause: Lightning.
  • Location: Six miles east of Munds Park near Mormon Mountain.
  • Current Size: Approximately 3,530 acres.
  • Resources: 1-Type 3 Helicopter, 2-Type 1 crews (Mormon Lake and Plumas), 1-Type 2 Incident Attack crews (Coconino Fuels), 1-Type 3 engine, 3-Type 6 engines, 1-dozer, and 20 other personnel. Total personnel is approximately 120.
  • Smoke: Burnout operations are planned for midmorning today. Smoke may settle in drainages and valleys at night, including Mormon Lake, Munds Park and Sedona. Smoke will disperse during the day to the south directly on the fire and then winds aloft will continue to move the smoke south this morning and then shift to the east this afternoon at 10 – 15 mph. Smoke impacts along the Lake Mary Road and Mormon Lake recreation corridor will be possible. This includes campgrounds, day-use areas, Walnut Canyon National Monument, and many trails in the area, to include the Arizona Trail. Communities north and northeast of the wildfire, including east Flagstaff, Doney Park and Winona, may experience smoke impacts. Over the weekend, an unexpected wind shift reversed the smoke direction, which impacted Munds Park and Sedona.
  • Closures: The closure area for the Mormon Fire is between Mormon Lake and Munds Park, north of the intersections of Forest Roads 700 and 240. View Forest Order 04-16-07-F Mormon Fire Closure for details and map. Drivers in the area are strongly advised to use caution as fire fighters are on foot and several vehicles are operating in the burn area. 
  • Recent & Current Operations: Burnout operations occurred west and south of Antelope Park yesterday. Firing operations by helicopter and firefighters with drip torches will occur again today. Hand ignitions by drip torch will occur from Cigarette Tank going west along the 236A road to Coulter Ridge and then south to the 700 road. Helicopter operations will be used to strengthen the fire lines east and along the 700 road. The burnout operations will help protect important values on the north and northeast portions of the fire, including the Mormon Mountain communication towers, sensitive wildlife and watersheds in the area. 

 

PIVOT ROCK FIRE OVERVIEW

  • Start Date: May 19, 2016.
  • Cause: Lightning.
  • Location: About three miles northeast of the junction of State Routes 260 and 87; eight miles northeast of Strawberry.
  • Current Size: Approximately 5,070 acres.
  • Resources: 1-Type 1 crew (Flagstaff), 2-Type 3 engines, 5-Type 6 engines, 1-Dozer, 1-Water Tender, and various firefighting individuals, totaling 80 personnel.
  • Smoke: Smoke will be visible from SR 260 and 87 as well as the communities of Payson, Pine, Strawberry, the Verde Valley and Happy Jack. Over the weekend, an unexpected wind shift reversed the smoke direction, which impacted the Verde Valley, Cornville and Cottonwood. Light winds are expected out of the west in the afternoon at 10 mph and currently the smoke is dispersing throughout the I-17 corridor, Munds Park, and Sedona areas this morning. This afternoon winds aloft will regional move the smoke southeast. At night, light smoke from the Pivot Rock Fire is expected to settle into low areas and nearby canyons, including the I-17 corridor, Munds Park, and Sedona, Toms Creek, Clover Canyon, Pivot Rock Canyon and into West Clear Creek. 
  • Closures: View Forest Order 04-16-06-F Pivot Rock Fire Closure for details and map. The closure boundary will be expanded from FR 149 to 144, west of SR 260, south to SR 87, and north to FR 149 to cover planned operations. Motorists in the area of the fire are encouraged to slow down, as firefighters and equipment will be working in the area.
  • Recent & Current Operations: Burnout operations occurred yesterday and last night because of favorable burn conditions in along the 149 Road and in Duncan Canyon. Burnout operations will continue today along the 9396, 9385H and 149B roads. These firing operations are to protect important sensitive wildlife, culture significant sights and other values which may be at risk.

 

News, notices, and information may be found through the following resources:

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Smoke and air quality information:



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