Flagstaff, AZ – Crews continue to manage four lightning-caused fires to benefit forest natural resources.
Point Fire – about two miles northeast of Pine, on Milk Ranch Point
along the Mogollon Rim. 1200 acres. Burnout operations are complete,
and were successful in using low intensity fire to reduce hazardous
accumulation of forest fuels.
After today the fire will continue to burn on its own until it burns
itself out or the monsoon puts it out. The fire will be checked daily
by 2 engine crews.
Milk Ranch Point and the trails within the area will remain closed
until fire managers feel it is safe to re-open for public use.
Tucker Fire – about eight miles south of the Mogollon Rim/Blue Ridge
Ranger Station on Dick Hart Ridge. Estimated 150 acres. Crews plan to
begin burnout operations Friday. Smoke will be noticeable around
Blue Ridge and Hwy 87.
Real Fire – about 5 miles southeast of Munds Park, east of I-17.
Currently 450 acres. Smoke visible from I-17 and Lake Mary Road at
times. Due to fire operations a portion of Forest Road 226 is closed
to public access. About 24 personnel assigned, including three
engines.
Rattle Ridge Fire – about three miles northwest of Stoneman Lake and
east of Interstate 17. Approximately 30 acres. Firefighters will be
conducing burnout operations this evening to help manage the fire
within the fire containment perimeter. Crews have also worked to
reinforce containment lines west of Stoneman Lake and east of
Interstate 17. Approximately 13 personnel assigned.
Because these lightning-caused, low-intensity fires are burning in a way that is beneficial to the fire-dependant ponderosa pine ecosystem, the fires are being managed for both fire protection and resource objectives. Fire managers are working closely with Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality to monitor smoke production.
Information for the Point and Tucker Fires is available at the Mogollon Rim Ranger Station 928-477-2255. Other Fire Information is available at 928-527-3600 and www.coconinoforest.us
