Community News

Sunflower and Ike fire update: News Release 07/31/2016

July 31, 2016

 Sunflower and Ike fire update:

Williams, Ariz., July 31, 2016—For Immediate Release. The Sunflower and Ike fires on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are growing temperately as monsoon moisture continues to prevail over the area. 

 

SUNFLOWER / IKE FIRE OVERVIEW

 

Start Date: July 20, 2016.

 

Cause: Lightning.

 

Location: West of Sunflower Flat and White Horse Lake close at the junction of forest roads 747 and 14.

 

Current Size:  Sunflower fire - approximately 303 acres. / Ike fire approximately .2 acres.

 

Incident Commander: Cody Payne ICT4 / Kaleb Krogen ICT4T.

 

Resources: One-Type 2 Hotshot crew, one-11 person fuels crew, one-Type 4 engine, one-Type 3 engine, three-Type 6 engines, and two-Patrol units. Total personnel assigned is 53.

 

Current Status: Crews have completed a large amount of preparation work in the vicinity of the active fires. Managers have identified a number of management action points designed to inform tactics as the fire reaches particular geographical points on a map. Crews will initiate specific precautionary activities such as igniting along road edges when fire behavior is predictably low to moderate. This greatly reduces holding difficulties and gives firefighters the opportunity to stay ahead of the fire as it moves in a natural progression.

 

Smoke: Smoke production will vary from day to day depending on several factors that include diurnal weather conditions, current fuels consuming, and burning operations. There have been very minimal impacts thus far with the majority of smoke moving away from residential areas.

 

A Forest Area Closure Order (#07-16-09-F  Map) remains in effect in the vicinity of both fires. Additional fire information for the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4884/  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4885/ ; Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message – text ‘follow kaibabnf’ to 40404

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