Fredonia, Ariz., Aug. 13, 2018 — For Immediate Release.  Fire managers are focusing on securing the northeast portion of the Stina Fire as their top priority and began that with a small burn out operation today. 

“We will continue to look for opportunities to secure the northeast flank, utilizing firing (burn out) opportunities when we can,” said Incident Commander Trainee Dave Veater. 

The southeast portion of the fire is a lower priority than the northeast flank because this area has the Tipover Prescribed Fire from last fall directly in front Stina’s path providing a catcher’s mitt where fuels have been reduced.  Elsewhere on the fire, firefighters completed hose lays and continued improving containment lines by removing vegetation.  Also, two engines from the fire were utilized to suppress new lightning fires that were detected today on the North Kaibab Ranger District.

Resources:

Two 20-person hotshot crews and one 20-person Type-two hand crew

Seven fire engines

1 Dozer

Miscellaneous overhead (a total of 102 personnel)

Stina Fire Overview

Start date: July 26, 2018

Size: 1,289 acres

Location: The Stina Fire is 23 miles southwest of Jacob Lake and about 2 miles east of Fire Point on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

Fuel: Ponderosa pine, aspen and mixed conifer.

Weather: Forecasters anticipate a chance of thunderstorms across the fire area, but some drying on Tuesday.

Strategy: Full suppression

Situational Update: Today plans are to conduct burnout operations as opportunities present themselves on the northeast flank of the fire. Crews will continue to strengthen preparation work on containment lines in areas where burn-out operations are not taking place.   Fire managers will continue to assess strategies for suppressing the west side of the fire that is over the canyon edge.

Closures: A closure is in effect for Forest Roads 223 (going to Fire Point), 268, 206, 271, 609, 250 road south of the 250/294 junction, a portion of the 239 and all Rainbow Rim trails and scenic viewpoints south of Locust Point. The trail between Locust Point and Parissawampitts Point will remain open for forest visitors. The closure order will stay in place until it is considered safe to enter the area.

Smoke: Smoke is visible on both the North and South Rims of the park, and there is a regional haze present in surrounding communities from multiple wildfires in the West. Individuals sensitive to smoke can learn how to help protect their health by visiting the Coconino County Public Health Services District website at http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.

For fire information on the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab and Inciweb under the name of the fire at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov or visit us on Facebook and Twitter @KaibabNF or call (928) 635-8311 for recorded fire information.