WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Over the past week, many fires have been started on the forest by lightning. Out of the numerous starts, two new fires have emerged on the Tusayan Ranger District that are being managed for resource benefits. The Ruby Fire (8 ½ acres) is about seven miles southeast of Tusayan and the Rain Fire (3 acres) is directly west of the Tusayan airport.
The current moist weather pattern has moderated fire growth potential across the forest and has provided forest officials an opportunity to use
these fires to achieve specific resource management objectives. The Rain Fire started in an area already planned for fuels reduction work, called the Airport Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project. This project is a continuation of the district’s wild-land urban interface planning process to protect the community from severe wildland fires. The lightning started fire inside the project area provides the opportunity for managers to proceed with this much-needed hazardous fuels reduction work already outlined in the project.
However, with its close proximity to the Tusayan airport, smoke management is a primary concern on the Rain Fire. District personnel are working closely with the FAA to monitor smoke dispersal so that aviation operations are not hampered. If smoke becomes a problem, managers will take actions to slow or stop fire spread to reduce impacts to the airport and community.
On the other hand, the Ruby Fire southeast of Tusayan is in an ideal location to spread naturally across this fire-adapted ecosystem. It is north of Forest Road 302 near the West Fire that burned in 2006 and the Scott Prescribed Burn Project, treated in 2002 and 2006. These previous burns are east of the fire.
Personnel will monitor the fire’s progression as it continues to move north and west and take actions when necessary to maintain the fire within acceptable boundaries.
A weather trend toward slightly drier conditions is expected over the next week. Fire activity will likely increase during this weather pattern.
