Tusayan, Arizona, October 22, 2021 — Kaibab National Forest fire managers will be continuing work on the Reed Prescribed Fire project located on the Tusayan Ranger District beginning Monday October 25. Crews will broadcast burn a low intensity 228-acre block on the upper Ten X Unit of the Reed Prescribed fire project located 3 miles east of the Town of Tusayan.

Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

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

Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

 Tusayan, Arizona, October 22, 2021 — Kaibab National Forest fire managers will be continuing work on the Reed Prescribed Fire project located on the Tusayan Ranger District beginning Monday October 25. Crews will broadcast burn a low intensity 228-acre block on the upper Ten X Unit of the Reed Prescribed fire project located 3 miles east of the Town of Tusayan.
The operation is expected to be completed in one day with very little smoke impacts to surrounding communities. Smoke is forecasted to ventilate out to the north away from Tusayan and be short in duration. Residual smoke may settle into drainages and low-lying areas overnight. This burn may be visible at times from highway 64, the Town of Tusayan, and areas within the Grand Canyon National Park.
 
A portion of the Arizona Trail adjacent to the area being treated will be affected but will remain open. Hikers and trail users are asked to follow directions posted and comply with any temporary detours that may be in place during operations. Visitors should always use extra caution when passing through any area where prescribed burns are occurring.

The Kaibab National Forest is a fire adapted ecosystem. It is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining vibrant forest health. Lack of fire in the forest has caused an abundance of fuels to build up, which can make the forest vulnerable and susceptible to more dangerous uncontrollable fire incidents. Reintroducing fire back into the ecosystem is a very effective tool to reduce fuel loads and restore the landscape back to a healthier state that is more aligned with historical conditions. 

  Williams, Arizona, Sept 30, 2021 — Fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest are planning for the 2021 fall and 2022 spring prescribed fire burning season that is expected to begin in October of this year. 

A final decision on which units will be ignited will be made based on environmental conditions, resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather as outlined in the prescribed fire plan.

 The following project areas are planned for treatments on the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts: 

• Three Sisters Rx Project:  Just north of the City Williams, approx. 4000 acres

• Marteen Rx Project: 5 miles northwest of Spring Valley, approx. 4700 acres

• Round Rx Project: 10 miles south of Williams east of Vista Point, approx. 5000 acres

• Reed Rx Project: South and northeast of Tusayan, approx. 6600 acres.

• Russell Rx Project: Southeast of Tusayan, approx. 1000 acres.

• Blue Stem Rx Project: Southeast corner of Tusayan District, approx. 7700 acres.

   

  The following project areas are planned for treatments on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park:

• RX 300 Project: Just south of Duck on a Rock Overlook along Hwy. 64, 391 acres

• Grapevine Rx Project: 1 mile southwest of Hwy. 64 mile marker 247, 865 acres

• Lonetree Rx Project: 0.5 mile east of South Entrance Station along NPS southern boundary, 926 acres

On the North Kaibab Ranger District and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, the Forest Service and National Park Service operate as a single, interagency fire program referred to as the “North Zone” that is responsible for all fires on National Forest and National Park lands.  The following projects areas are planned for treatments on the North Kaibab Ranger District (NKRD) and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA):

• Big Ridge East Rx Project (NKRD):  2 miles east of Jacob Lake, 472 acres.

• Buffalo Hill Rx Project (NKRD):  1 mile SE of Jacob Lake, 4519 acres.

• Road Hollow North Rx Project (NKRD):  9 miles S of Big Springs, 1739 acres.

• Road Hollow South Rx Project (NKRD):  9 miles S of Big Springs, 2281 acres.

• Big Saddle Rx Project (NKRD):  1/2 mile north of Crazy Jug, 957 acres.

• Dry Park Tower Rx Project (NKRD): 3 miles west of DeMotte, 1400 acres.

• Dry Park Blowdown Rx Project (NKRD): 3 miles west of DeMotte, 1400 acres.

• Dry Park Lakes Rx Project (NKRD): 3 miles west of DeMotte, 4067 acres.

• North Ridge Heavies Rx Project (GRCA): along Kaibab NF boundary, 50+ acres.

• Slopes Rx Project (GRCA): west of North Entrance Station, 500+ acres.

• Harvey Meadow Rx Project (GRCA): north of Grand Canyon Lodge, 43 acres

   

  Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of many landscapes including the Kaibab National Forest. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety.

  The Forest Service’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, which includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. A healthy forest is a resilient forest that undergoes fire occurrences on a regular basis. The Kaibab National Forest works with partners, collaborators, and communities to clearly identify objectives and address concerns during the planning process for prescribed fires.

   

  Officials recognize that impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed methods than in an uncontrolled wildfire situation. Additionally, fire managers will actively monitor atmospheric conditions daily and use strategies to minimize smoke impacts to rural developed areas.

   

  During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.

   

  Individual news releases will be forthcoming throughout the season, detailing specific information about each burn.

   

  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

   

  Fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained from the following sources:

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

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

• Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

 Tusayan, Arizona, April 28, 2021 — Kaibab National Forest fire managers will be continuing work on the Reed Prescribed Fire project located on the Tusayan Ranger District approximately 3 miles northeast of the town of Tusayan beginning Saturday of this week.
Crews will begin ignitions on a 117-acre unit near the junction of forest roads 9121G and 9121GA northeast of the Ten X Ranch. Additional units may be burned into the week ahead providing weather conditions remain favorable to achieve desired effects that meet land management objectives.
Smoke may be visible at times from highway 64, the Town of Tusayan, and areas within the Grand Canyon National Park. Fire managers strive to minimize smoke impacts and only conduct ignitions when conditions exist that will allow smoke to ventilate away from sensitive areas. Smoke is expected to disperse to the south during the day away from the community however residual smoke may settle into drainages and low-lying areas overnight.
The Kaibab National Forest is a fire adapted ecosystem. It is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining vibrant forest health. Lack of fire in the forest has caused an abundance of fuels to build up, which can make the forest vulnerable and susceptible to more dangerous uncontrollable fire incidents. Reintroducing fire back into the ecosystem is a very effective tool to reduce fuel loads and restore the landscape back to a healthier state that is more aligned with historical conditions.
During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through the project vicinity.  

WILLIAMS, Ariz., Feb. 25, 2020 - Kaibab National Forest fire crews on the Williams Ranger District will be igniting 78 acres of hand built slash piles located approximately 2 miles south of Spring Valley on the northwest slope of Government Hill on Wednesday this week.

Precipitation received over the weekend has produced beneficial conditions allowing crews to continue with fuels reduction treatments of this type that occur during the winter months of the year. Smaller units such as this pile burn will generally be short in duration and will generate less smoke with very little risk of spread due to dampened surfaces on the landscape.

Smoke is expected to move to the west during the day and may occasionally impact forest road 141 to the north. The burn will be visible to residents in Spring Valley, Pumpkin Center, and Parks including the I-40 corridor to the south, and Route 64 to the west. Ventilation is predicted to be very good with the majority of smoke dispersing by late afternoon leaving only minor impacts by early evening. Air quality will be monitored closely and actions will be taken as necessary to minimize the effects to all adjacent residential areas.

All prescribed burns are subject to approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/

To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/ 

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311

WILLIAMS, Ariz., Jan. 15, 2020 - Pile burning activity is occurring at multiple locations to the south and east of the City of Williams producing smoke that will be visible from various outlying locations around the greater Williams area. Burning is expected to continue through the remainder of this week as conditions allow.

Above average moisture levels accompanied by snow has presented model opportunities for crews on the Kaibab National Forest to continue implementing this type of fuels reduction work. Pile burns typically occur during the winter months when forest debris can be consumed safely with little to no control problems. This method is especially effective in steeper more difficult terrain when snow limits the potential for unwanted fire spread on the ground.

Crews will move between three locations this week from Garland Prairie to Bill Williams Mountain which will help minimize smoke impacts to specific areas and allow for quicker dispersion. Overnight ventilation is usually excellent with no residual smoke lingering by the following day. Piles typically burn rapidly and produce far less smoke for shorter durations than larger broadcast burns over the landscape.

The overall duration of these burns is influenced by daily weather conditions which determine the best days to burn effectively. Air quality will be monitored closely and actions will be taken as necessary to minimize the effects on adjacent residential areas.

All prescribed burns are subject to approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/

To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/ 

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311

WILLIAMS, Ariz., Jan. 13, 2020 - Fire crews on the Williams Ranger District on the Kaibab National Forest will be igniting about 150 acres of hand piles beginning Monday morning of this week along forest roads 111 and 122 about 5 miles south of Williams.  Operations could continue for up to three days providing conditions remain favorable for meeting fuels reduction objectives.

The protection of communities and vital resources from the threat of high-intensity wildfires has been identified as a top priority by multiple state, county, and federal land management agencies. This fuels reduction work is part of the ongoing forest restoration initiative that will be continuing in and around forested landscapes across northern Arizona.

Piles typically burn rapidly and produce far less smoke for shorter durations than larger broadcast burns over the landscape. Smoke may be visible from areas around the city of Williams and from the I-40 corridor during the day, however is not expected to linger after piles have consumed.

Air quality will be monitored closely and actions will be taken as necessary to minimize the effects on residential developed areas.

All prescribed burns are subject to approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/

To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/ 

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311

WILLIAMS, Ariz., Jan. 7, 2020 - Fire crews on the Williams Ranger District on the Kaibab National Forest will begin igniting large machine piles of slash on Wednesday morning of this week near Garland Prairie about 5 miles south of Interstate 40. The 550 acre "Isham" unit is specifically located north and east of the junction at forest roads 109 & 141 along the southwest side of Scholz Lake.

The protection of communities and vital resources from the threat of high-intensity wildfires has been identified as a top priority by multiple state, county, and federal land management agencies. This fuels reduction work is part of the ongoing forest restoration initiative that will be continuing in and around forested landscapes across northern Arizona.

Piles typically burn rapidly and produce far less smoke for shorter durations than larger broadcast burns over the landscape. Smoke will be visible from the I-40 corridor and surrounding communities of Garland Prairie and Pittman Valley, however is not expected to linger after piles have consumed.

Air quality will be monitored closely and actions will be taken as necessary to minimize the effects on residential developed areas.

All prescribed burns are subject to approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/

To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/ 

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311

WILLIAMS, Ariz., Dec. 3, 2019 — Ideal conditions presented with recent snowfall will allow fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest to continue meeting fuels reduction objectives by burning slash piles over the next several weeks at various locations.

Crews will be igniting piles today along the south and southeast side of Bill Williams Mountain about 5 miles south of the city of Williams. Once ignited, some of these piles will be visible on the upper slopes. Additional Locations for pile burning in the weeks ahead will include the Shiner unit just north of Barney Flat, the Isham unit just south of Scholz Lake, and the Round unit on the southeast side of Round Mountain.

Objectives for these pile burns include reducing fuels and improving overall forest health and resiliency. Piles are the result of forest restoration projects, and the purpose of burning them is to reduce forest fuels that could contribute to high-intensity wildfires.

Piles typically burn rapidly and produce far less smoke for shorter durations than larger broadcast burns over the landscape. Minimal to light smoke impacts are anticipated. However, air quality will be monitored closely and actions taken as necessary to minimize the effects on residential developed areas. There are no road or trail closures expected with the pile burns planned for the Williams Ranger District. Fire managers will continue to seek opportunities throughout the winter to conduct pile burns as conditions allow.

All prescribed burns are subject to approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/

To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/ 

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311

Recent wet weather has presented favorable opportunities for fire crews to burn piles on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Fire personnel plan to begin work today in the Hardy project area, which is located about 10 miles northeast of the City of Williams.

Crews plan to ignite about 546 acres of piles along the south side of County Road 141 east of the Spring Valley area. The pile units are near Hardy Hill west of Sitgreaves Mountain. Objectives for these pile burns include reducing fuels and improving overall forest health and resiliency.

Piles typically burn rapidly and produce far less smoke for shorter durations than larger broadcast burns over the landscape. Minimal to light smoke impacts are anticipated. However, air quality will be monitored closely and actions taken as necessary to minimize the effects on residential developed areas. There are no road or trail closures expected with the pile burns planned for the Williams Ranger District.

The Kaibab National Forest is part of a fire-adapted ecosystem and is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining forest health. Piles are the result of forest restoration projects, and the purpose of burning them is to reduce forest fuels that could contribute to high-intensity wildfires. Fire managers will continue to seek opportunities throughout the winter to conduct pile burns as conditions allow.

The public can view approved prescribed fires for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at https://smoke.azdeq.gov/. Prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest begin with the forest’s designator “KNF.” To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.

Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab  
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF  
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF  
• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
• Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/