Community News

Mangum Fire on Kaibab Plateau grows to 500 acres; more fire crews responding

June 9, 2020

 FREDONIA, Ariz., June 9, 2020 The Mangum Fire on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has grown to about 500 acres due to very high winds and rugged, inaccessible terrain. Additional firefighting resources are expected to arrive on scene today to assist in the wildfire suppression effort.

The Mangum Fire was reported at about 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon and has generally been moving south and east toward the vicinity of Big Springs. The wildfire is about 9 miles southwest of Jacob Lake and 16 miles north of the boundary with the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The weather forecast for today includes lighter winds, which should aid firefighters.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered to coordinate the wildfire suppression effort.

 

MANGUM FIRE OVERVIEW

  • Discovery Date: June 8, 2020
  • Cause: Under investigation
  • Percent Contained: 0
  • Location (point of origin): 36.251 latitude, -112.144 longitude. Near Mangum Camp east of Forest Road 22 about 1 3/4 miles north of Big Springs on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
  • Current Resources: 5 airtankers, 3 helicopters, 4 hotshot crews, 8 engines, 1 water tender, 1 dozer, and miscellaneous fire management personnel. Total personnel approximately 130.
  • Current Size: Approximately 500 acres
  • Predicted Smoke Impacts: Smoke is visible from both the north and south rims of Grand Canyon National Park, Jacob Lake, Highway 67, Highway 89A, Fredonia, Kanab and Page. For smoke and air quality information, visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Smoke Management Division
  • Evacuations: None
  • Current Closures: None. However, temporary closures and detours on Forest Road 22 and other roads in the immediate fire area are possible in order to allow for active firefighting operations.

 

Recent and Current Operations: Fire managers plan to use retardant today along the eastern and northern flanks of the Mangum Fire to limit fire spread in those directions. Helicopter bucket drops will be used to cool the wildfire's hottest areas in order to reduce fire intensity. Fire managers will also focus on ground reconnaissance in order to identify terrain features that could be reinforced to check fire spread. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area. 

 

Mangum Fire information is also available through the following sources:

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

·        Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF 

·        Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF 

·        Mangum Fire InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6748/