2014 Fire Season

[outdoor_lover]

And so it begins....The Secret Fire...Luckily this was addressed quickly...We are seriously going to be paying for our Dry Winter....

http://azdailysun.com/news/local/high-w ... 963f4.html

[Jim]

Ha, I was just logging on to post these.
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3939/
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3940/

Maybe Liz can provide us with status updates from her drive to the Canyon for tours, and any hikes of Sitgreaves she may attempt.

[chumley]

Tonto is ending restrictions beginning Friday.
The notice does not address Fossil Creek, but I can't imagine the closure will continue. If you want to go, call the hotline first, but I presume the closure will also be lifted on Friday.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/new ... PRD3807822

[The_Eagle]

I presume the closure will also be lifted on Friday.

So you're spreading rumors and/or conjecture without having the facts?

[chumley]

@1-800

If you want to go, call the hotline first

Yup. I think that's exactly how I put it.

[azbackpackr]

I'll keep an eye out for smoke when driving up and down 64. I didn't notice any today, but I wasn't looking for it. I've been driving in rain every afternoon, but not in every area I pass through. This afternoon it was raining here and there at the Canyon, which was gorgeous to see, off in the distance, at the viewpoints where we stopped after lunch, Navajo and Lipan.

[PrestonSands]

...But I have to work...

You call in sick tomorrow and go hike that mountain!!!

[hippiepunkpirate]

I noticed a couple this morning while driving north on 64 from Williams about 9am. One was definitely in the Kaibab forest just south of the Canyon, I thought it looked further east than what's shown on Inciweb but it is hard to recall. Didn't notice the one near Sitgreaves, but I thought I saw a plume out to the west of 64 near the Canyon as well.

[azbackpackr]

...But I have to work...

You call in sick tomorrow and go hike that mountain!!!

I am pretty sure I don't have to be at work today until about 2 p.m. so maybe I can hike part of the Benham Trail.

[chumley]

Fossil Creek opens at 8am tomorrow.

Official notice: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/ ... PRD3807896

[chumley]

Prescott NF and Coronado NF have also rescinded restrictions beginning tomorrow at 8am. Fires are now permitted on all NF land in Arizona, except where otherwise posted.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coronado/ ... PRD3807928
http://www.prescottenews.com/index.php/ ... 11-8-00-am

[Jim]

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3950/

The Kaibab delivers.

[PatrickL]

Does my brain deceive me or is that map telling me all of Sitgreaves Mountain is toasted? That's a bummer - I wanted to hike it next week.

[Jim]

Hike it, unless there is a closure, that fire is not hot.

[azbackpackr]

That fire can't possibly be burning hot. We've had rain most days. On Monday I talked to some firefighters I saw at the gas station in Williams. They said the reason I haven't noticed smoke is because the fire is not burning very hot, and is about over with.

[Jim]

Well, dry the the next few days so hopefully they burn again.

[Tough_Boots]

The General Fire hasn't hit InciWeb yet... but they better be careful with my Cabin Loop

http://www.azein.gov/emergency-informat ... t-coconino

Fire managers on the Coconino National Forest (NF) are utilizing four lightning-caused fires to benefit forest health. These fires are burning at a low intensity and mainly across the forest floor - the way fire historically and naturally would in this ecosystem – and will be used to accomplish several objectives including restoring wildlife habitat, promoting healthy vegetation, and reducing fuels and the risk of severe fire thus creating safer conditions for residents, visitors and firefighters.

With drier conditions in the forecast for the next several days, crews are anticipating fire behavior and smoke to increase and will be using various tactics to ensure the fires move through the landscape at appropriate intensities and within pre-determined boundaries. In addition, fire managers will be working closely with the Department of Environmental Quality, municipal fire departments, and neighboring forests to monitor smoke impacts.

Crews will continue actively managing these fires while objectives are being met and weather and other conditions allow.

Willard Fire

Size: Approximately 15 acres
Location: South of Flagstaff between I-17 and Oak Creek Canyon, near the Willard Springs Interchange.
Behavior: Creeping, smoldering
Smoke may be noticeable from I-17, Munds Park, Kachina Village, Hwy 89A, Oak Creek Vista, as well as portions of the Sedona area. The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.

Bar M Fire

Size: Approximately 25 acres
Location: 5 miles southwest of Mormon Lake near Forest Roads 240 and 91.
Behavior: Creeping, smoldering
Smoke will be noticeable from Lake Mary Road, Munds Park, and Mormon Lake Village. The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.

Pothole Fire

Size: Approximately 115 acres
Location: 22 miles north of Payson
Behavior: Creeping, smoldering
Smoke may be noticeable in the Camp Verde area during the evening and early morning hours. The immediate fire area is closed for public safety, but no road or trail closures are in place at this time. Visitors in the area should be cautious of fire crews and equipment.

General Fire

Size: Approximately 110 acres
Location: 15 miles northeast of Payson, off Forest Roads 300 and 95
Smoke may affect local subdivisions in the Blue Ridge community. The immediate fire area is closed for public safety. The Fred Haught Trail and a portion

- See more at: http://www.azein.gov/emergency-informat ... InNuu.dpuf

[azbackpackr]

I took some photos from I-40 this morning of the smoldering fires on Sitgreaves Mountain. They seem to be on a minor peak to the east, mostly. Also, yesterday afternoon's view from Lipan Point was very smoky from the fire near Tusayan. I haven't been to the Canyon today, not sure if I'll be going there today. The wind has come up and it's fairly hot and dry today.

[joebartels]

they better be careful with my Cabin Loop

Calm down and stop being so emotional.

Jim's Law - if an asteroid is headed for earth we should not change it's course to save mankind

[Tough_Boots]

Calm down and stop being so emotional.

I thought my refrain from exclamations or emoticons was a show of calmness ;)

but seriously... they better be careful with my Cabin Loop

[azbackpackr]

but seriously... they better be careful with my Cabin Loop

I haven't hiked it yet, so I'd have to concur. I want to see it.