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Fires
in Arizona
The map below is showing two fires in northern Arizona, in Kaibab National
Forest and Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona. The fire near Sedona is a wildfire
that began Sunday at a transient camp and quickly grew to encompass an area of
about 2,450 acres.
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This map is provided by
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. |
The NV Strike Team One was deployed to the fire in Kaibab National Forest. It is
not a wildfire but rather a wildland fire use fire. USDA Forest Service
provides the following description of a wildland fire use fire:
A wildland fire use fire is a
fire that is managed for resource benefits. Before a fire is put into wildland
fire use status, land managers evaluate several criteria. For example, if a
fire threatens life, property or resources, it is not considered appropriate
for wildland fire use and is immediately suppressed. Once a fire is put into
wildland fire use status, it is actively managed, meaning that fire managers
establish boundaries and define weather and fuels conditions under which the
fire will be allowed to burn. All wildland fire use fires must be
naturally-ignited.
Information
on the fire from the USDA Forest Service website
WFU Name: Warm Wildland Fire Use
Time/Date Started: June 8; was discovered by fire personnel
Location: North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National
Forest; The Warm Wildland Fire Use Fire is located about 3 miles south of Jacob
Lake adjacent to state Highway 67. It is on the west side of Highway 67.
Cause: Lightning (All WFUs must be naturally-ignited.)
Fuels: Ponderosa pine litter
Acreage Treated: 105 acres; continued growth expected
Resource Benefits: Reduction of heavy accumulations of fuel on
the forest floor; restoration of fire to the ecosystem; recycling of nutrients
into the soil; protection of the Jacob Lake area from future high-intensity
wildland fires.
Summary: The Warm Wildland Fire Use Fire burned actively
yesterday and treated the landscape with low-to-moderate intensity fire. The
fire’s effects on the landscape have been very positive. The Warm Wildland Fire
Use Fire is demonstrating how fire behaves when it is allowed to actively
function as an ecological process. It is creating a mosaic across the
landscape, with some areas burned at a low level of intensity and others burned
at a higher intensity. The Warm Wildland Fire Use Fire is treating acres
directly adjacent to state Highway 67. While the highway remains open, there
have been smoke impacts. Today, fire managers expect that smoke impacts to the
highway could continue. There could be possible short-term delays if necessary
in order to ensure the safety of motorists. A pilot car may be used to aid safe
traffic flow in the area. A fire use team (Hahnenberg) will arrive today and
will take over management responsibilities of the fire use fire by tomorrow.
Fire managers are extremely pleased with the Warm Wildland Fire Use Fire. Given
its location and prevailing winds, the fire’s treatments should help protect
the Jacob Lake area from future high-intensity wildland fires.
Link to the USDA Forest Service - Fire &
Aviation Management
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