Tusayan, Ariz., July 06, 2016—For Immediate Release. As warmer temperatures and dryer conditions return to the region, both fires being managed on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are showing active growth and are expected to continue spreading with favorable results over the next several days.

The Airstrip Fire located southeast and adjacent to the town of Tusayan has grown to 300 acres and is likely to remain active for the remainder of the week. With the recent precipitation received in the area, crews have been successful in allowing fire to move through the planning area with moderate intensity keeping it on the ground. Ignitions are occurring along containment lines ahead of the fire in order to stop its advancement where predetermined control lines have been drawn.

The Scott Fire located in a more remote area of the district atop the Coconino rim has expanded to 150 acres in size. It is now spreading across the ridge tops and has begun backing over the slopes working down into the Upper Basin.

“This fire is moving outward in all directions and we are observing the kind of desired effects we were hoping for” said Adam Pahl incident commander of the Scott Fire. “We expect the fire to reach the containment lines along the top of the planning area in the next few days. Crews will continue with ignitions along the 310 road in preparation for its arrival which will greatly minimize control problems for us.”

Both fires will produce smoke that will be visible from the surrounding communities of Grand Canyon, Tusayan, Valle, and Cameron, as well as from nearby highway corridors. Smoke impacts are predicted to be short term as ventilation is expected to be very good in both vicinities. Overnight smoke is expected to settle into low lying drainages but will lift rapidly in the early morning hours as ground surfaces warm and transport winds move smoke away from developed areas. Managers will allow these fires to advance unobstructed in order to shorten the overall duration of smoke production.

Additional fire information for the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4840/  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4839/ ; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404.