News Release

Williams, Ariz., August 13, 2019—For Immediate Release. The Boulin Fire on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has grown to 622 acres. Operations have been successful in meeting multiple objectives and all containment lines are holding with no control problems occurring.

BOULIN FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: August 5, 2019.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: East of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail and forest roads 141, 713, and 730.

Current Size: 622 acres.

Incident Commander: Nick Behrends ICT4 / Tyler Richwine ICT4T.

Resources: One-Type 2 Hand crew, one- Fuels crew, two-Type 6 Engines, two-Type 3 Engines, one-Patrol unit, one-Dozer, and eight- Miscellaneous overhead. Total personnel assigned is 50.

Current Status: Yesterday, crews completed a firing operation designed to protect and secure several residences and private property parcels located at the northeast perimeter of the fire. The fire was active throughout the day as both aerial and ground ignitions were utilized to attain this goal. Several other objectives were accomplished by these actions that included protecting heritage sites, range improvements, timber stands, and key wildlife habitat by removing hazardous fuel concentrations that potentially threatened these resources.

Today Crews will continue to improve and strengthen containment lines and secure the edges of the perimeter that may still be holding heat. Fire is expected to continue backing to the west and southwest toward forest road 2220.  Personnel may ignite along road edges which greatly reduces holding difficulties and gives firefighters the opportunity secure edges ahead of the fire as it progresses.

Smoke: Smoke production will vary from day to day depending on several influencing factors such as diurnal weather conditions, current fuels consuming, and occasional blacklining operations. There have been recognizable impacts thus far however smoke production should be noticeably less over the next few days.

Smoke will continue to be visible from Highway 64, Highway 180, and many communities Including Williams, Pittman Valley, Garland Prairie, Spring Valley, Parks, Red Lake, Pumpkin Center, Bellemont, Fort Valley, and Flagstaff.

For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

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

·        InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6511/

·        Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

·        Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

·        Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 

·        Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311