Williams, Ariz., April 19, 2024 — Fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest are planning to conduct prescribed fires throughout the spring season as conditions allow. Crews plan to begin ignitions the in the coming weeks with the goal of treating up to 8,597 total acres this spring. 

Williams Ranger District

Three Sisters Rx (956 acres): located on the north shore of Kaibab Lake, ~1.5 miles northeast of the City of Williams.

Marteen East Rx (three units of 5,613 total acres): located west of Pumpkin Center Road, ~12 miles north of the community of Parks – ignitions may occur on this unit as a back-up should conditions not be appropriate to safely conduct the Three Sisters Rx.

Tusayan Ranger District

Blue Stem Rx (2,724 acres): located east of Forest Road 311, ~16 miles east-southeast of the Town of Tusayan –Russell Tank will be inaccessible and approximately 4.5 miles of the Arizona Trail will be rerouted around the perimeter of the burn for public safety.

North Kaibab Ranger District

Billy Sink Phase 2 Rx (260 acres): located along .25 miles south of Jacob Lake along and east of State Route 67.
Grand Canyon National Park also plans on conducting the 50-acre Bright Angel Rx on the North Rim near the developed area.

Exact ignition dates are unknown as burning is dependent upon daily agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in each prescribed fire plan. However, we are committed to providing the public with ongoing updates and as much advance notice as possible. Sign up to receive Kaibab NF news releases in your email.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants, and improves habitat for threatened and endangered species. These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come. 

We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. All prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program.

Information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the local ranger stations. 

After assessing strategies for the Medio Fire, Carson National Forest fire managers decided to have crews fully contain it. The decision was based on numerous factors, including the fire’s location near the national forest boundary and prioritizing plans for prescribed fire in the nearby Montoya Unit. 

The Medio Fire was caused by lightning and first reported on May 13. The fire crept on the forest floor, consuming fuels like pine needles, brush and fallen branches over a quarter-acre. Crews fully contained it yesterday. 

“Every fire receives a risk-based strategy,” said District Ranger Angie Krall. “When the conditions and circumstances are right, we might use a fire with similar behavior in the future to benefit forest health before containing flames.” 

Ponderosa pine stands are fire dependent and need it—frequently at low intensities—to maintain ecosystem functions. 

While the Medio Fire is adjacent to the Canjilon Wildland Urban Interface Project area, Krall and fire managers opted to focus on the planned 899-acre Montoya Prescribed Fire, which could start as early as Friday, May 17 to the east of Canjilon, N.M. 

To reduce the risk from wildfire, Forest Service staff and partners have invested over $10 million in forest restoration in the area since 2011. Many adjacent private landowners, with the assistance of the state, are contributing by thinning and applying prescribed fire on their own properties. 

The public can receive updates on the Montoya Prescribed Fire on InciWeb. 

Forest Service News Release

Joy VanDrie, Public Affairs Officer

joy.vandrie@usda.gov

Christine Kolinski, Public Affairs Specialist

Christine.kolinski@usda.gov

https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior

Fry Fire Update-Tofte Ranger District

Date: May 16, 2024-11:00am CT

Fire Information:  218-248-7404

Fire inciweb page:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-fry-fire 

Superior Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/SuperiorNF 

Superior National Forest website Superior National Forest - Home (usda.gov)   

Incident Name: Fry Fire 

Size: 260 acres (209 acres are Fry Wildfire and 56 are the Fry Prescribed Fire)

Containment: 0%

Description: The Fry Fire was declared a wildfire at 1:00pm CT on May 15, as a spot fire started within the prescribed project area, beyond the planned burn area. Water dropping aircraft were called in to suppress the fire and were effective in slowing the immediate fire spread. Cloud cover moved over the fire area later in the afternoon and humidity levels increased which helped ease fire activity. Additional crews and engines were brought in to assist working on the fire.

Location: Superior National Forest. Tofte Ranger District. Currently south of the arc Trail, 177A on the UTV Trail. See Map: The Fry Unit (72 acres) is located north of MN. Highway 1 and is bound on the west by Fish Fry Lake, north by the Little Isabella River, and east by the Little Isabella Campground. in Lake County, MN (Township 60N, Range 9W, Sections 25, 26).

Status: Ground crews were able to engage on the fire in the evening of May 15, 2024, and worked late into the night. Light rain has fallen over the fire area with .10 inch so far. Crews and engines have returned this morning and are engaging to secure the fire edge. 

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Find out more about the Superior National Forest at www.fs.usda.gov/superior and follow us on Twitter @SuperiorNF, on Facebook  and Flickr (photo credit:  Superior National Forest)  #superiornf

The Superior National Forest is managed in Five (5) districts, with a Supervisor’s Office:

• Supervisor’s Office, Duluth: 218-626-4300
• Gunflint District Office, Grand Marais: 218-387-1750
• Kawishiwi District Office, Ely: 218-365-7600
• LaCroix District Office, Cook: 218-666-0020
• Laurentian District Office, Aurora: 218-453-8650
• Tofte District Office, Tofte:  218-663-8060

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

5/15/24, Cleveland National Forest fuel crews on the Palomar Ranger District successfully conducted a 61-acre broadcast burn off Palomar Divide Road. For the next few days fire crews will patrol and monitored the area for any hot spots.

This project funded in part by the President's Inflation Reduction Act which is a part of confronting the wildfire crisis.

Prescribed Fire is part of Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: https://fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis. Prescribed fire plays an important role in forest health and in reducing extreme wildfires and their negative impact. These fires also help reduce heavy fuel loads while simultaneously opening the conifer forest structure and maintaining the health of meadow habitats. Fire is also used to enhance native plant communities and cultural landscapes and improve wildlife habitats. Another goal is to provide defensible space for communities and developed areas within and surrounding the CNF. With all fire comes smoke, and the U.S. Forest Service works to mitigate smoke impacts from prescribed fires on the communities in the area.

The Transition of Command back to the local unit occurred at 0600 today.

This will be the last update unless significant activity occurs.

Highlights:  After an intense and concentrated effort over the last week, the Toyo fire activity has reached the point that it’s time to transition the management of the fire back to the local unit. The majority of resources will be returning to their home units today. 

Southwest Team 1 has appreciated the support of the communities, the Tribal Council, and the San Carlos Agency. Wildfire suppression “takes a village”, and this village has been great to be a part of our success.

Fire Activity:  Wednesday crews continued monitoring and mopping up where needed. Areas of concern have been identified and will continue to be monitored by the remaining firefighters. Wind patterns and dry conditions remain a factor with the possibility of new starts being high.

Weather: Slightly cooler temperatures today with some clouds in the afternoon. Wind is sw 2-15 mph, and afternoon gusts are predicted up to 23 mph. 

Smoke: Smoke is expected to be minimal today.

Closures/ Evacuations: No road closures are currently in effect and all evacuation levels have been lifted.

Fire Restrictions: The region's vegetation continues to dry out as the heat increases and humidity drops. Fire activity has been increasing.  Please stay “Fire Aware”  both around your property and your vehicles.

90% Containment Achieved, Transition Tomorrow

Highlights:  A primary objective on this incident has been to keep the fire from spreading beyond the initial impact area. Thanks to the hard work of firefighters this has been successful. As of today, the fire is 90% contained. More resources will be released from the fire today as mopping up hot spots and monitoring continues.  Southwest Team 1 will be transitioning the fire back to local resources tomorrow at 0600.

Fire Activity: Crews spent Tuesday widening fire breaks and securing the perimeter of the fire. A few areas of heavy fuels are smoldering and being monitored to keep any increased activity in check. Once again, afternoon winds will be picking up and the chance of new fire activity, outside the Toyo fire footprint, is a concern. Initial Attack crews are staying vigilant and ready to assist as needed.

Weather: Temperatures in the low 90’s, with relative humidity in the range of 8-9%. Winds will be from the west 7-14 mph with 25mph gusts expected in the afternoon. Evening winds will switch to the NW again with gusts expected in the ’20s.

Smoke: Smoke is expected to be minimal today.

Closures/ Evacuations: No road closures are currently in effect and all evacuation levels have been lifted.

Fire Restrictions:  No Fire Restrictions are currently in place. Residential burning requires a permit obtained through the San Carlos Forestry Department. With an issued permit, residents can conduct residential burning between 6:00 am and 11:00 am.  Again, fire activity has been increasing throughout the area. New incidents throughout the southwest are occurring daily and we encourage everyone to be fire aware.

Tahoe National Forest will be igniting 19 acres of prescribed fire on the East Zone Roadside Underburn today, May 15.  Ignitions will begin on Old Reno Rd near Hobart Mills. Previously ignited units are secure and will continue to be monitored.

Fire Season is upon us - Stay Aware

Highlights: On Monday the crews made significant progress on the Toyo fire as they worked to secure the perimeter. This involved checking for flare-ups and hot spots and continuing to improve handlines by clearing brush and debris – “mopping up” is a term often used for this process. With the progress that continues to be made plans are in place to begin releasing some of our resources today, making them available as fire activity increases in the Southwest.

Fire Activity: Overall, the fire activity on the Toyo has decreased. Pockets of heat were identified during the infrared flight and crews are actively addressing these areas. Smoldering continues and the potential for flare-ups remains a concern, especially if the wind were to pick up. With a weather forecast of gusty winds in the afternoon and evening, being aware of potential new starts is a priority. The Initial Attack division continues to monitor these possibilities and is ready to assist local agencies as needed.

Weather: The warm and sunny weather pattern continues.  Temperatures in the low 90’s, and relative humidity is trending down to 9%. Winds will be SW/W 8-12 mph with gusts increasing in the afternoon and evening (23- 25mph). Evening winds will switch to the NW with gusts expected in the ’20s.

Smoke: Some interior smoke is possible but greatly reduced compared to earlier in the fire. 

Closures/ Evacuations: No road closures are currently in effect and all evacuation levels have been lifted.

Fire Restrictions:  No Fire Restrictions are currently in place. Residential burning requires a permit obtained through the San Carlos Forestry Department. With an issued permit, residents can conduct residential burning between 6:00 am and 11:00 am.  Again, fire activity has been increasing throughout the area. New incidents throughout the southwest are occurring daily and we encourage everyone to be fire aware.

SWIMT 1 Assumes Command of the Fire, Highway 70 Open with 26% Containment Achieved

Highlights: Southwest Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the fire at 0600 today. Resulting from the hard work of the crews on the incident, SWIMT1 is happy to announce containment of 26% as of 10:00 am today. A combination of air and ground resources slowed the progress of the Toyo Fire yesterday with crews and engines working to improve handline today. Highway 70 is now open for public use, but motorists are urged to use caution as emergency crews will remain working in the area.

Fire Activity: The north to northeast portion of the fire has minimal road access and was the most active section of the fire yesterday, however crews utilized the support of air resources to impede the progress of the fire. Today, ground resources will continue building and connecting existing handline while utilizing natural features to keep the fire from spreading. Additionally, crews on the southeast portion have held the fire in place through a previous burnout operation off the 400 road. They are also utilizing natural features, such as the riverbed. The objective for the west to northwest section is to prevent fire spreading further north. Resources will utilize roadways and riverbeds as containment features, as well as secure fire line through cold trailing and the construction of additional handline. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is still in place over the fire.

Weather: Today is expected to be sunny and warm with temperatures ranging from 92-95 degrees and relative humidity at 9-12%. Winds will be out of the west at 5-10 mph with gusts around 15 mph. Winds are expected to increase on Wednesday.

Smoke: Smoke will be visible from Highway 70 and throughout the fire area today. Highway 70 users should use caution as smoke could still impact the roadway.

Closures: Highway 70 has been reopened for public use and Route 3 continues to remain open.

Evacuations: Current evacuation levels are being evaluated by managers today and an update will be posted if the current “Set” status has changed.

Fire Restrictions:  No Fire Restrictions are in place, at this time. Residential burning currently requires a permit obtained through the San Carlos Forestry Department. With an issued permit, residents can conduct residential burning between 6:00 am to 11:00 am.