The Closure Order (#01-10-04-22-05) for the Cannon Fire has been terminated as of 11/4/2022. Please see the attached document.

Williams, Arizona, November 4, 2022 — Prescribed fire pile burning will commence across the Williams and Tusayan districts of the Kaibab National Forest for the remainder of the fall season.

Winter weather with forecasted snow present excellent opportunities nearly every year for fire crews to burn and consume piled slash and woody debris left over from previous forest restoration projects. For the months of November and December, up to 8,000 acres of piles near Tusayan, Williams, and Parks are planned for prescribed burning operations.
Operations will begin on the Williams district on Friday, November 4th. About 300 acres of piles will be ignited on the south side of Bill Williams Mountain. These hand piles are relatively small in size and will consume quickly with little to no smoke impacts expected.

Smoke may be visible during the day as ignitions are occurring and may periodically impact Coconino County Road 73 and the City of Williams, but is predicted to be light in volume and short in duration. Smoke production is generally minimal after the first few hours with rapid dispersion as piles consume. Some smoke has potential to settle overnight into the lower elevations due to fluctuating atmospheric temperatures that produce nighttime inversions.

Forest visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through any prescribed fire project vicinity.
All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html
Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Goat Rocks Fire

• Size: 6196 acres
• Containment: 35%
• Personnel: 12
• Location: NE of Packwood, WA
• Reported: August 9, 2022
• Cause: Lightning/Natural   

Siouxon Fire

• Size: 2359 acres
• Containment:100%
• Personnel: 2
• Location: 13 miles NW of Stabler, WA
• Reported: September 22, 2022
• Cause: Abandoned Campfire      

Sunset Fire

• Size: 277 acres
• Containment:100%
• Personnel: 2
• Location: 8 miles E of Moulton, WA
• Reported: October 16, 2022
• Cause: Undetermined       

Kalama Fire

• Size: 500
• Containment:100
• Personnel: 2
• Location: NE of Cougar, WA
• Reported: Aug. 31, 2022
• Cause: Undetermined

Wet weather subdues fires; reduced areas closures expected by the week's end

Current Situation Goat Rocks Fire: The fire is still producing visible smoke from residual pockets of heat, but at a reduced rate due to the cool, wet weather pattern. As winter approaches snow, slick road surfaces, and falling trees are restricting access on many forest roads. Yesterday, two engines patrolled the fire while security and road guards staffed road closure gates.  Type 4 team personnel working the fire will be demobilizing in the upcoming days given the increased containment level and forecasted weather.  The fire will be transitioned back to the Forest to manage at this time. Temporary Forest closures will remain in effect due to concerns about public safety, resource protection and fire suppression repair that will need to be done next spring. Hazardous conditions persist in the burned areas, including fire-weakened trees, areas of active burning, hot ash pits, and rolling debris. Temporary gates and barricades will be in place until the closure order is either rescinded or modified as determined by Fire Management Officer, District Ranger, and Forest Supervisor.

Current Situation Kalama, Siouxon and Sunset Fires: These fires have all been passed back to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest personnel to manage. The fires continue to be impacted by cool, wet weather, although scattered hot spots remain in areas with heavy canopy and deep duff. Continued moisture is helping limit growth potential. Recreation, fire, and law enforcement personnel are currently reviewing closure orders and getting ready to significantly reduce the closure areas. In the meantime, firefighters will monitor and patrol the fire line where it is safe to do so.

Weather & Smoke Information: Additional rain is expected the rest of the week, with snow likely at higher elevations. Expect below normal temperatures. Be prepared for winter conditions, especially at higher elevations across the Forest. Check local forecasts at www.weather.gov and contact local ranger district offices for local conditions. Slower speeds are highly recommended, especially in areas where firefighters or equipment are present. Current weather conditions will keep fire activity to a minimum, but smoke may be visible at times.

Forest Closures: A full list of closures in place for the Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset fires can be found under “Alerts & Notices” on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website.

Evacuations: There are no evacuation notices currently in place. Residents are encouraged to sign up for their county’s emergency alerts to stay up to date on evacuation status and closures related to evolving incidents. Links to county emergency alerts can be found on the   Forest’s  Fire Information Page.

Fire Information:

• Phone: (360) 891-5000
• Email: sm.fs.r6_gp_forest@usda.gov
• Gifford Pinchot National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiffordPinchot
• Goat Rocks Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8415/
• Siouxon and Sunset Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8436/
• Kalama Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/wagpf-kalama-fire

Goat Rocks Fire

• Size: 6196 acres
• Containment: 35%
• Personnel: 12
• Location: NE of Packwood, WA
• Reported: August 9, 2022
• Cause: Lightning/Natural   

Siouxon Fire

• Size: 2359 acres
• Containment:100%
• Personnel: 2
• Location: 13 miles NW of Stabler, WA
• Reported: September 22, 2022
• Cause: Abandoned Campfire      

Sunset Fire

• Size: 277 acres
• Containment:100%
• Personnel: 2
• Location: 8 miles E of Moulton, WA
• Reported: October 16, 2022
• Cause: Undetermined       

Kalama Fire

• Size: 500
• Containment:100
• Personnel: 2
• Location: NE of Cougar, WA
• Reported: Aug. 31, 2022
• Cause: Undetermined

Wet weather subdues fires; reduced areas closures expected by the week's end

Current Situation Goat Rocks Fire: The fire is still producing visible smoke from residual pockets of heat, but at a reduced rate due to the cool, wet weather pattern. As winter approaches snow, slick road surfaces, and falling trees are restricting access on many forest roads. Yesterday, two engines patrolled the fire while security and road guards staffed road closure gates.  Type 4 team personnel working the fire will be demobilizing in the upcoming days given the increased containment level and forecasted weather.  The fire will be transitioned back to the Forest to manage at this time. Temporary Forest closures will remain in effect due to concerns about public safety, resource protection and fire suppression repair that will need to be done next spring. Hazardous conditions persist in the burned areas, including fire-weakened trees, areas of active burning, hot ash pits, and rolling debris. Temporary gates and barricades will be in place until the closure order is either rescinded or modified as determined by Fire Management Officer, District Ranger, and Forest Supervisor.

Current Situation Kalama, Siouxon and Sunset Fires: These fires have all been passed back to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest personnel to manage. The fires continue to be impacted by cool, wet weather, although scattered hot spots remain in areas with heavy canopy and deep duff. Continued moisture is helping limit growth potential. Recreation, fire, and law enforcement personnel are currently reviewing closure orders and getting ready to significantly reduce the closure areas. In the meantime, firefighters will monitor and patrol the fire line where it is safe to do so.

Weather & Smoke Information: Additional rain is expected the rest of the week, with snow likely at higher elevations. Expect below normal temperatures. Be prepared for winter conditions, especially at higher elevations across the Forest. Check local forecasts at www.weather.gov and contact local ranger district offices for local conditions. Slower speeds are highly recommended, especially in areas where firefighters or equipment are present. Current weather conditions will keep fire activity to a minimum, but smoke may be visible at times.

Forest Closures: A full list of closures in place for the Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset fires can be found under “Alerts & Notices” on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website.

Evacuations: There are no evacuation notices currently in place. Residents are encouraged to sign up for their county’s emergency alerts to stay up to date on evacuation status and closures related to evolving incidents. Links to county emergency alerts can be found on the   Forest’s  Fire Information Page.

Fire Information:

• Phone: (360) 891-5000
• Email: sm.fs.r6_gp_forest@usda.gov
• Gifford Pinchot National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiffordPinchot
• Goat Rocks Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8415/
• Siouxon and Sunset Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8436/
• Kalama Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/wagpf-kalama-fire

Williams, Ariz., October 28, 2022—For Immediate Release. Fire officials on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are currently suppressing the Burro Fire. The fire was discovered on October 9th, was caused by lightning and has grown to 7 acres. The fire is located approximately seven miles south of Williams near Forest Road 42 near Jackass Knoll, approximately 0.5 miles north of the Bill Williams Loop Road/Forest Road 108.

Firefighters will use a tactic known as “burning out” in order to keep fire at a low to moderate intensity, minimizing severity. This method will also secure containment lines before fire arrives at designated control boundaries such as roads, which reduces hazard exposure to firefighters and allows for safer patrolling of the fire. This strategy is expected to ultimately contain this fire within a defined planning area of approximately 330 acres.

Objectives include allowing the fire to fulfill its natural role in the ecosystem, while increasing protection of private property, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, protecting watersheds, and reducing hazardous fuels.

Smoke may be visible along the Bill Williams Loop Road/Forest Road 108 on the Williams Ranger District. No smoke impacts are anticipated to reach developed areas in the surrounding communities.

Smoke dispersion will be monitored closely, however smoke may settle in low lying areas in the vicinity overnight. Smoke is expected to lift and clear out rapidly as the ground surface warms in early morning hours.

Additional information about the Burro Fire, and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

• InciWeb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-photos-gallery/azknf-burro-fire#

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

On October 27, 2022, Forest Service BAER team specialists completed their field data gathering on federal lands burned by the Bolt Creek, Suiattle, Boulder Lake and Loch Katrine fires. The post-fire maps and data display soil burn severity (SBS) categories of unburned/very low, low, moderate, and high.

The BAER assessment team used preliminary remote sensing data based on satellite imagery of the fire perimeter with field-validated data collected over several days to produce the final SBS maps. The SBS map products are an estimate of fire effects on soils and not a measure of direct effects to vegetation. SBS characterizes the soil surface and below-ground impact, whereas effects on vegetation are estimates of mortality based primarily on changes in vegetation canopy. 

Changes in soil cover, water repellency, and soil physical/biological conditions guide the interpretations to determine the severity burn level of the soil. Water repellency can occur naturally in soil and may change as a result of fire. Fire can increase the strength and thickness (or depth) of water-repellent layers in soil, considerably affecting post-fire water runoff and possibly extending time for recovery of the burned area.

Soil burn severity indicators can be found within the Rocky Mountain Research Station’s General Technical Report 243 – Field Guide for Mapping Post-Fire Soil Burn Severity https://www.fs.usda.gov/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr243.pdf.

The BAER team will use the SBS data to analyze and model post-fire hydrologic response for each of the watersheds to determine if there are threats or risks to BAER critical values: human life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and critical cultural resources. The team shares its analysis with cooperating agencies such as Washington Department of Natural Resources who have the authority to work with private property owners downstream from the burned area that potentially may have post-fire threats from increased water and debris flows. The BAER team’s analysis and findings will be documented in an assessment report that will be posted to the Post-Fire BAER InciWeb page after the report has been reviewed and approved by Forest Service leadership.

The SBS maps can be downloaded at the “Mt.Baker Snoqualmie Post Fire BAER” InciWeb site (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/wamsf-mt-bakersnoqualmie-postfire-baer) as a JPEG or PDF format image under the “Maps” tab.

For additional information about understanding SBS, see: Post-Fire Effects Understanding Soil Burn Severity - InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov).

Kalama Firefighters have finished all suppression repair activities on Kalama Fire and are in the process of demobilizing. The fire is now 100% contained. Though Firefighting efforts have been completed, there is still active fire inside the fire perimeter and will remain that way over the next few months. Smoke will be visible in the area for a couple of months as the fire continues to smolder in heavy duff within containment lines. Heat below the surface of the forest floor is protected and insulated by the thick layer of duff above it, and tree canopies can prevent rain from reaching the forest floor. It will take months of wet weather to completely put the fire out.

A public safety closure is in place due to fire activity and hazardous trees. Hemlocks which are common in the area, have very shallow roots and many of these were burned. Trees that appear healthy and green, can fall without warning which necessitates this closure to stay in place.

The public safety closure area for the Kalama Fire has been reduced as of Friday October 28th, 2022. At this time, Forest Road 81 and Kalama Horse Camp have been reopened to the public. Additionally, Goat Marsh Trail 231D and Fossil Trail 242 have also been reopened. The trailhead in Kalama Horse Camp remains closed, along with portions of the Cinnamon Trail 204, Toutle Trail 238, Kalama Falls Trail 242A, and Forest Road 8122.

Review the closure map to gain a better understanding of the remaining closure area: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1069699.pdf

Closure Order: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1069698.pdf

Sign up for Cowlitz County public alerts: https://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/702/Public-Alerts