Community News

Tusayan Ranger District Fire Update:

July 11, 2016

 Tusayan, Ariz., July 11, 2016—For Immediate Release. Fire Crews working on the Scott and Airstrip wildfires on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are making steady progress and will now begin moving into the mop up stage of the suppression strategy. “Mop up” is the term used that describes the action of seeking out and extinguishing all sources of heat found inside the burned area.

 

AIRSTRIP FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: June 29, 2016.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: Just south of Tusayan Az. east of highway 64.

Current Size: Approximately 679 acres. 50% contained.

Incident Commander: Brandon Oberhardt ICT4

Resources:  2-Type 6 engines, 1-Type 3 engine. Total personnel assigned is 15.

 

The Airstrip Fire continues to hold with little to no control concerns. Engine crews have been mopping up for several days and are moving close to full containment which is expected sometime in the near future.

 

SCOTT FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: June 28, 2016.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: 11 miles east of Tusayan in the Upper Basin and Coconino rim near forest roads 310 and 307

Current Size: Approximately 2660 acres. 25% contained.

Incident Commander: Gregory Juvan ICT3 / Brandon Allen ICT3-T

Resources:  2- IHC Hotshot crews, 2-Type 2 hand crews, 1-Fuels crew, 2-Type 3 engines, 4-Type 6 engines, 2-Tactical water tenders, 2-Dozers and 8- Resource specialist’s. Total personnel assigned is 157.

 

Crew were successful in holding the Scott Fire throughout the day yesterday as winds exceeded 40 miles per hour. Interior pockets of unburned fuels continue to consume producing some visible smoke however forward movement of the fire was slowed considerably with very little growth.

A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the Scott Fire vicinity to restrict private aircraft from interfering in the air space where helicopters are assisting with mop up operations.
A nine mile section of the Arizona Trail will remain closed to provide for public safety while operations continue. Forest officials are working closely with fire managers and will re-open the trail as soon as it is safe to do so.

Additional fire information for the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb; http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4840/  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4839/ Arizona Trail area closure information; http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kaibab/alerts-notices/?aid=35045 Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.