FIRE

[kajjer]

Just Curious. Any fire restrictions in Arizona???
I plan on hiking in Tucson 5-28 to 5- 30... 3days...Hunter, Mt. Baldy, Bridal Wreath, Tanque Verde Falls. Also, West Fork ,Sedona..&..Bell Trail and See Canyon in Payson. 6-1 to 6-4....Maybe Coffee Flat/Supes....Thanks
Have A Great Holiday everyone!!!

[Nighthiker]

Most places you mentioned have fire restrictions (Central and Southern Arizona). Enjoy your visit.

[wedge]

Fire restrictions? You bet. We just camped at Catalina State Park, and our site was surrounded by fields of dry grass. Signs were posted at the entrance stating NO FIRES. So what happens? About midnight, two guys pull into the park, and proceed to unload everything they own from the back of a pickup, and light TWO open fires! Naturally, in a near-empty park, they had decided to camp right next to us (like when you fly, you always sit right in front of the crying baby.......). We proceeded to go get the ranger, and inform them of the situation. The guys were asked to put out the fire, not to mention pay a $500 fine for the fire.

If only people would read......not to mention use common sense!

[Shi]

Hey, I'm glad that they were fined!!! Good job! Mary

[PrestonSands]

Controlled burn gets out of hand (Mt. Graham)
Eastern Arizona Courier
Published on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 3:44 PM MST

What started out as a controlled burn has been windswept into five times the intended size and is being fought by Hot Shot crews.

The burn, conducted by the U.S. Forest Service-Safford Ranger District, was intended to eradicate sweet resin bush on around 100 acres on Frye Mesa. Heavy afternoon winds fueled the fire to jump its lines, and it has since grown to approximately 500 acres.

In addition to the Hot Shot crews on the ground, helicopters are making water dumping runs as well.

An unofficial comment from a representative of the Forest Service said it appears that the fire has worked itself into a pocket of rocks and is hopeful to have it contained by this evening.

[joebartels]

Every year we hear of controlled burns jumping the line. Believe they need to redefine their idea of controlled. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see heavy winds in the state today. Heck we all know there's a low moving in for what three days now.

[PrestonSands]

Why would anyone approve a controlled burn on a day with record heat and high winds, in May, of all months? Good job, forest service

[hikeaz]

As in all things Gub'ment, if they fail at something, they just rename it and the unwitting public will buy it again. In that vain, I believe that the new, improved terminology is PRESCRIBED burn.

[PrestonSands]

Tonight's "fireworks":

[joebartels]

I believe that the new, improved terminology is PRESCRIBED burn

Anybody setting fires with eminent red flag warnings should have their prescription license revoked

[joebartels]

Must be getting worse, it was on the noon news today that Swift is closed. Hopefully Graham is getting the rain we're getting in the valley. The temp here just dipped to 68 degrees at 1pm, amazing for late May!

Believe the name of the fire should be the "Coronado Forest Service Fire" or the "Numnuts Fire"

[chumley]

Frye Creek and Noon Creek both reporting about 1.25" of rain. Columbine not reporting any ... because it's snow. Webcam showing a whiteout up there today. The moisture should be very helpful. Hopefully the wind isn't too counterproductive.

[joebartels]

Hopefully that wiped out the fire???
Since Preston didn't post last night I'll assume he was out throwing dirt clods at government facilities.

[PrestonSands]

Hopefully that wiped out the fire???
Since Preston didn't post last night I'll assume he was out throwing dirt clods at government facilities.

It looks like the fire is out, or very close to it.

I'm joining the rest of the villagers for some good old fashioned, angry mob justice.

[hikeaz]

As in all things Gub'ment, if they fail at something, they just rename it and the unwitting public will buy it again. In that vain, I believe that the new, improved terminology is PRESCRIBED burn.

oops... it's a 'wild fire"



Grand Canyon, AZ. – At about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, Grand
Canyon National Park fire management officials made the decision to
convert the 160 acre Walla Valley Fire, burning on the North Rim of
Grand Canyon National Park, from a prescribed burn to a wildfire.
On Saturday, June 21, after predictive models and the behavior of a
small test fire indicated that conditions were appropriate to burn,
ignition operations on the Walla Valley Prescribed Burn began with
blacklining to secure the perimeter of the burn unit. These ignition
operations were suspended on June 22, after several spot fires
occurred at distances farther from the blackline than anticipated,
and after fire management officials determined that fire behavior
was not within acceptable parameters to continue. All spot fires
were suppressed, and firefighters began to focus their efforts on
holding the fire within the burn unit and checking the spread of a
portion of the fire that was active below the rim.

While efforts to hold the fire below the rim have been successful,
the fire's edge is now approaching thicker, denser fuels where it
will become much more difficult for fire fighters to continue
successful holding operations. As a result, fire managers made the
decision to convert the Walla Valley Fire from a prescribed fire to
a wildfire and have begun suppression operations. Firefighters are
currently building a fire line from the canyon rim to Kanabownitz
Cabin, then onto Galahad Point (a length of approximately 2 ½
miles), which will create a containment line. Once the fire line
has been completed, a burnout operation will be conducted in an
effort to secure the containment line. The burnout operation is
expected to begin later this evening.

There are currently approximately 90 personnel supported by five
engines, one water tender and two light helicopters working on
suppression operations. A heavy helicopter and four single engine
air tankers have been requested to support these operations.

Visitors may continue to see smoke in the vicinity of the fire and
helicopters working in the area. In order to assure visitor and
fire fighter safety, sections of the W4 and W1 roads remain closed
at this time.

[Jeffshadows]

Oops, I goofed up the dates in his post...

here's the latest for those interested:

ARIZONA RESTRICTIONS AND CLOSURES
Week of JUNE 23-27, 2008

In parts of Arizona, especially below the Mogollon Rim, above-average moisture in recent years has created large amounts of fine, flashy fuels that could cause small fires to become major wildfires if ignited by a careless match or abandoned campfire. In the higher elevations, wildfires have already occurred and it won't take long for the forested areas of the state to return to tinder dry conditions and increased fire danger.

Land management agencies, tribal governments, counties and cities pay particularly close attention to fire prevention and preparedness every year - regardless of moisture - to ensure that your outdoor experiences will be pleasant and safe. “Red Flag Warnings” are issued by the National Weather Service when a combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures indicate that critical fire weather conditions are occurring now or will soon. For firefighters and the public, these factors mean the chance of explosive fire growth from new and existing fires.

“Fire Weather Watches” are issued when there is a possibility of critical fire weather conditions and you should listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings. To see updated watches and warnings that might affect your enjoyment of public lands – be they Red Flags or weather advisories - click here and check the map at the National Weather Service’s website.

The bottom line: BE CAREFUL with fire year round.

And remember ALL FIREWORKS (EVEN SPARKLERS) ARE ILLEGAL IN ARIZONA!!

Whenever you plan to head out on to your public lands, it`s always wise to call ahead to the Field Office or Ranger Station that oversees your destination to check on local conditions. Point and click at the interactive map of Arizona above to search all of the state's recreation sites for phone numbers and other details.

WHAT`S OPEN:

Most EVERYTHING!! except for the few areas listed below.

WHAT`S RESTRICTED:

Different land managing agencies establish their fire restrictions for their lands in different ways. Some use national forest or ranger district boundaries, county lines or other administrative areas. Use the maps found throughout this website to clarify where you might be restricted from using fires. Start here to find county or national forest boundaries.


NATIONAL FORESTS
Tonto National Forest entered restrictions May 8th. Use of wood or charcoal is restricted to ONLY certain developed campgrounds. To read the official news release with the list and check other details pertaining to smoking, firearms, etc., click here. Petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices will be allowed.
Prescott National Forest has also posted restrictions, starting May 14th. No cooking or campfires of wood, charcoal, or coal are allowed except within developed recreation sites where grills and campfire rings are provided. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters are allowed. Smoking is prohibited except within enclosed vehicles, buildings, or developed recreation sites where the area is cleared of all flammable material. To read the official news release, click here.
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest entered Stage One restrictions on May 21st, THEN GOT A STORM AND LIFTED THEM THE NEXT DAY. Click here for the cancellation announcement.
Coconino National Forest entered restrictions for most of their Red Rock Ranger District below the
Rim on June 18th and will add the entire forest to the restrictions July 1st. To read the latest news release, click here.
Kaibab National Forest entered restrictions for the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts south of the Grand Canyon on June 25th. To read the official news release, click here.


BLM LANDS
Fire restrictions began May 14th for the BLM's Phoenix District lands southwest of Metro Phoenix for the Lower Sonoran Field Office and north of the city in the Hassayampa Field Office area. Also entering restrictions May 14th were the Yuma and Lake Havasu Field Offices of the Colorado River District. Under these restrictions, building or using a fire, campfire, charcoal broiler or wood stove anywhere, even in developed camping and picnicking areas, is NOT allowed - propane gas stoves are still OK. Smoking is also restricted. To read the official news releases, click here and here.
Here is a map showing BLM Field Office boundaries.


NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES
Open fires of any type are prohibited on these refuges year round.


NATIONAL PARKS
National Parks and Monuments maintain differing restrictions on cooking and campfires year round - use the interactive map above to locate individual sites and check the NOTES at the bottom of a site's page for local restrictions.

The only restrictions posted for NPS affecting Arizona are those imposed May 15th for Lake Mead National Recreation Area. To read the official news release, click here.

Otherwise, there are no seasonal fire restrictions in any of Arizona`s 21 National Park Service installations - so far.


BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS (BIA)
Hopi Tribal lands remain under restrictions year round.

The Navajo Reservation in Arizona and New Mexico entered restrictions on May 1st. They are allowing recreational campfires ONLY in developed recreation areas.

The Salt River Fire Department of the Pima-Maricopa Community imposed fire restrictions on all open fires for the Red Mountain area May 1st.

The San Carlos Apache Tribe entered into restrictions on May 21st.

To contact individual tribes about local conditions, use the following numbers: Tohono O'odham (520-383-8276), San Carlos Apache (928-475-2326), Salt River Pima (480-850-8244), Navajo Nation (928-729-4007), Hopi (928-734-2106), Gila River Community (520-796-5900), Fort Apache (928-338-5326).

Remember, tribal lands are NOT public lands; please observe all tribal restrictions on access, photography, etc.


STATE PARKS
Click here to locate Arizona State Parks and call ahead to the individual park to check for any local restrictions.


STATE TRUST LANDS and STATE WILDLIFE AREAS
May 20th, the Arizona Game And Fish Department posted restrictions for a number of their Wildlife Areas. To read the official news release with the full list of affected areas, click here.

All State Trust Lands within Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Yavapai, and Yuma counties entered restrictions May 14th banning wood and charcoal fires (gas stoves are allowed) and restricting smoking. To read the official news release, click here.
Mohave County will be added to these restrictions July 1st. To read that official news release, click here.


Remember, any non-hunting, out-of-season recreation on State Trust Lands requires a permit from the Arizona State Land Department.


LOCAL JURISDICTIONS
The annual Fire Ban for Maricopa County began May 12th. The ban includes the use of campfires, fire pits and charcoal grills. Ten Maricopa County parks are affected by the fire ban: Lake Pleasant Regional Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Adobe Dam Regional Park, Buckeye Hills Regional Park, Estrella Mountain Regional Park (excludes turf area), San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Usery Mountain Regional Park, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Cave Creek Regional Park, and Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. Smoking in the parks is still permissible, but all park users are strongly encouraged to be responsible in their use and ensure that all cigarettes are properly extinguished and placed in trash receptacles. To read the official news release, click here.


WHAT`S CLOSED:

Local conditions sometimes require land managers to close access or use of areas within their jurisdiction. ALWAYS check with local offices before venturing out on to Arizona's public lands.

The Eagle Fire on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest earlier this spring in Greenlee County about 35 miles south of Alpine required that a few hiking trails be closed: Highline Trail #47, East Eagle Trail #33, Sheep Saddle Trail #16, Hot Air/Telephone Mesa Trail #15, and Robinson Trail #27. Forest Road 54 and Forest Road 587 near Stray Horse Campground are closed. Click here for a map of the closure area. To read the official news release, click here.
Also on the Apache-Sitgreaves, Highway 273 from Sunrise to Crescent Lake is being re-constructed this summer so Highway 273 is closed. Sheep Crossing and the East and West Fork trailheads of the Baldy Wilderness remain closed this summer. Travelers to the Big Lake area should use Highway 261, the Mexican Hay Lake road.

[chumley]

The great thing about reclassifying it as a "wild fire" versus a prescribed burn is that firefighters can now go in and perform burnout operations (back-burn) in areas that were not necessarily approved to do so earlier. I've spoken with firefighters and read some things which lead me to have a strong opinion about this ... but I admit it is just my opinion ...

The environmental restrictions placed on prescribed burns regarding air quality (smoke and visibility) for people in the area are so strict that the only way to actually burn some areas is through wildfire suppression efforts which are not regulated. Occasionally you'll hear about a natural fire in a remote location that firefighters will allow to burn itself out, or they will watch it for a long time with little or no effort to suppress before putting in some effort to make sure the fire doesn't move past some natural obstacle.

If the fire is low-intensity, it may be much more positive than any prescribed-burn could ever be, and cover areas that a prescribed burn would never be approved for.

Of course, the prescribed fires get out of control more often than they should, so when (if?) a prescribed fire is "allowed" to become wild so as to burn other areas without restrictions, we had better all hope that the folks on the ground know what they're getting in to.

[PrestonSands]

It's out now (whew!) but for those that are interested:

Fire at base of Mount Graham contained
By Jon Johnson
Assistant Editor
Published on Monday, April 25, 2011 5:52 PM MST

A brush fire that erupted at the base of Mount Graham on Easter Sunday was contained overnight and is reported to be 100 percent contained.

The Helldive Fire was in the Coronado National Forest between milepost 119 and 120, less than a mile west of the entry sign into the forest.

According to a Graham County Dispatch report, authorities were notified of the fire at about 12:50 p.m. on Easter Sunday. Fire crews from the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Forestry crew from Fort Grant Prison and the Stray Horse – an Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest crew from Clifton – are participating in the fire repression efforts.

According to BLM/Forest Service spokesperson Diane Drobka, the fire has burned about 96 acres. Lines built around the fire held overnight and today was just a mop-up job, according to Drobka. The fire was listed at 100 percent contained at 10:30 a.m.

"We were really lucky the wind was blowing from the west," Drobka said. "If it would have been coming from the east, it would have fanned the flames up the hill."

Drobka said the ignition source of the fire is under investigation with the Forest Service and that it was likely human-caused.

The reporter's video: https://www.youtube.com/user/EACourier#p ... doa4ppX2LY

The fire was located near Helldive Spring, a mile or so down canyon from the lower Ladybug Trailhead.

[kingsnake]

Everytime I see the word "fire" I think of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69K0bdOAChw

[Dschur]

http://www.wildlandfire.com/hotlist/index.php This is a good reference for finding out about fires... It has some that I haven't seen reported before and in quick time ... Now that we will be heading into that time of year.. It was one of the only sorces I had during the WaterWheel fire in Payson area...