Taylor Fire - Sycamore Canyon area

[Al_HikesAZ]

I saw a lot of smoke coming home from Williams and Flagstaff. Here is the news report.

Ash, smoke from forest fire visible in Flagstaff
by Megan Gordon and Nathan Gonzalez - Aug. 16, 2009 05:41 PM Arizona Republic .

A wildfire burning near Flagstaff grew to nearly 500 acres early Sunday evening with more firefighters being called to assist.

Wind gusts of 30 mph fanned the flames burning in the Coconino National Forest 13 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

Being called the Taylor Fire, it was about 50 acres when it began Sunday morning, said Brady Smith, public affairs officer for Coconino National Forest.
“You can see how fast the wind blew that and spread that fire,” he said.

The haze is visible in Flagstaff and ash is dropping on the northern Arizona town.

More than 100 firefighters, as well as a helicopter water tanker, two air tankers and several fire engines responded to the blaze, which started in Sycamore Canyon, Smith said. He said the forest service is now ordering additional resources to fight the fire, including 100 more firefighters.

Roads 231 and 538, which lead into the blaze, are temporarily closed.

No evacuations are necessary at this point, as no structures are being threatened.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Fire Marshall Will Loefche with the Sedona Fire District said officials believe the blaze likely began Sunday, but it's possible embers from a lightning strike days ago were left smoldering until this morning.

The wildfire is burning in mixed conifer, oak and ponderosa pine.

[Jim]

The Taylor was probably lightning in brush along the canyon before it grew to several thousand acres. I'll post pics and a report tomorrow.