The daily operational video is now available on the Cassadore Springs Fire Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/CassadoreSpringsFireInfo/videos/294393091783945

Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 Assumes Command of Cassadore Springs Fire

Cassadore Springs Fire – August 4, 2020 Daily Update

Ko’ Ba Nagoni i’

Tusayan, Ariz., August 8, 2020—For Immediate Release. The 97 acre Halfway Fire on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has shown no additional growth and is not expected to increase in size. This lightning caused fire did make an impressive run on August 3, however an aggressive initial attack plan was promptly initiated and suppression efforts proved successful in stopping the spread that same day. 

With public and firefighter safety being the number one objective, Incident Commander Adam Pahl said he was pleased to report there were no accidents or injuries, and there were no losses or damage to any resources or private property throughout the duration of the incident.
 

 HALFWAY FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: August 1, 2020. Cause: Lightning. Location: 3 miles east of the Town of Tusayan

Current Size: 97 acres.  Containment: 100%.  Incident Commander: Adam Pahl ICT4.

Resources: One - Type 2 Hand Crew, 2 - Type 6 Engines.

Current Status: The Halfway fire has reached its maximum growth at 97 acres. There has been no movement on the perimeter and officials predict no additional growth will occur.

Firefighters will remain on scene daily to ensure containment lines hold and to mitigate any hazards that may still exist near the burn area.

Smoke: Light smoke may linger in the immediate vicinity of the burn area and may occasionally be noticeable in the early morning hours as diurnal winds shift each evening.

This will be the final update on the Halfway Fire unless conditions change.

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

 TUSAYAN, Ariz., August 5, 2020 – The Halfway Fire which was ignited by a lightning strike on the Tusayan Ranger District over the weekend grew to 97 acres on Monday, however a combination of initial attack resources including aircraft, hand crews, engines and a dozer working steadily throughout the day and were able to stop forward progress of the fire by early that evening.

Additional resources arrived on Tuesday which reinforced efforts as crews worked to fortify lines and knock down hot spots preventing any further spread. Approximately 80 personnel have been assigned to the incident at this time. The fire is 3 miles east of Tusayan and is now 20% contained. Crews will continue working the next several days improving and securing constructed fire lines, holding the perimeters, and begin mopping up.

 Smoke may continue to be visible from the town of Tusayan, Grand Canyon Airport, highway 64, and from areas inside the Grand Canyon National Park. Overnight inversion may cause haze and smoke to drift into the town on Tusayan in the early morning hours over the next few days but is expected to lift and ventilate out rapidly as surfaces warm.

 A small portion of the Arizona Trail was affected by the fire, however it remains open. Hikers are asked to follow temporary detour signs encountered on the trail near the burned area. Motorists and visitors are asked to be aware of apparatus and fire personnel when travelling through the area and to avoid driving in the immediate vicinity of the fire where active operations are occurring.

Additional Information can be found from the following sources:

 TUSAYAN, Ariz., August 3, 2020 – Fire crews from the Kaibab National Forest, Tusayan Fire Department, and Grand Canyon National Park responded to a wildfire Monday morning about 3 miles southeast of the town of Tusayan. The 50 acre lightning caused "Halfway Fire" was discovered by local aircraft and most likely started the day before from a passing thunderstorm.

Multiple resources have been working on the fire Monday including a helicopter, a dozer, 3 engines and miscellaneous overhead. Additional resources have been ordered to assist from neighboring forests and are expected to arrive later today.

The fire is moving in an easterly direction and is not posing a threat to any developed areas or Infrastructure at this time.

Smoke may be visible at times from the town of Tusayan, Grand Canyon Airport, highway 64, and from the east rim drive in Grand Canyon National Park. Motorists are asked to be aware of fire personnel and vehicles and use caution if driving near the vicinity of the fire.

 Updates will be provided as they become available via news releases and the following websites:

Mays Fire: 9,813 acres, 100% contained
Location: 5 miles southeast of Rochelle, Texas in San Saba/McCulloch Counties
Cause: Motorist parked/idling vehicle in tall, dry grass 

The Mays Fire is 9,813 acres and 100% contained. This fire will be transferred back to local resources to monitor. 

Mays Fire: 9,813 acres, 95% contained

Location: 5 miles southweast of Rochelle, Texas in San Saba/McCulloch Counties
Resources: 9
Cause: Motorist parked/idling vehicle in tall, dry grass 

Today, ground resources were actively engaged in patrol and mop up.

Fire Weather: The current hot and dry weather pattern will continue today as well as over the next couple of days. Breezy conditions will be present across the fire area today with southerly winds at 10-15 mph, gusting near 20 mph this afternoon.

Mays Fire: 9,813 acres, 95% contained
Location: 5 miles southweast of Rochelle, Texas in San Saba/McCulloch Counties
Resources: 34
Cause: Motorist parked/idling vehicle in tall, dry grass 

Today, ground resources were actively engaged in patrol and mop up. The fire will be staffed tomorrow with plans to continue mopping up and mitigating any threats as needed.

Fire Weather: The current hot and dry weather pattern will continue today as well as over the next few days. Breezy conditions will be present across the fire area today with southerly winds at 10-15 mph, gusting near 20 mph this afternoon.

Mays Fire: 9,813 acres, 90% contained
Location: 5 miles southweast of Rochelle, Texas in San Saba/McCulloch Counties
Resources: 34
Cause: Motorist parked/idling vehicle in tall, dry grass 

Resources plan to patrol and mop up areas of concern along containment lines today.

Fire Weather: The current hot and dry weather pattern will continue today as well as over the next few days. Breezy conditions will be present across the fire area today with southerly winds at 10-15 mph, gusting near 20 mph this afternoon.

Mays Fire: 9,813 acres, 90% contained
Location: 5 miles southweast of Rochelle, Texas in San Saba/McCulloch Counties
Resources: 34
Cause: Motorist parked/idling vehicle in tall, dry grass 

Resources patrolled the containment lines and continued to mop up along the lines today. Overhead and a task force will be staffing the fire in the morning.

Fire Weather: Wind out of the south with winds of 8 mph will increase to 10 mph around 10 AM CDT with gusts to 16 mph. Wind speeds will decrease to 8-10 mph and shift southeast early this evening before shifting back to the south around midnight. Relative humidity will be around 28 percent by 4-5 PM CDT as temperatures continue increase to highs around 99 degrees Fahrenheit. Relative humidity will recover to a maximum 86 percent by sunrise on Sunday. Similar conditions are expected Sunday, with high temperatures and dry conditions continuing through Sunday.