HikeArizona.COM

New wildfire spotted today

A new fire sparked this afternoon in the Coconino National Forest near Bear Canyon Lake.

Reported around 1:23 p.m. Sunday, the Willow Fire is burning in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest on the Black Mesa Ranger District, about one mile north of Bear Canyon Lake on the Mogollon Rim, and is moving northeast, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Firefighters are investigating the cause.

Structures lie one to two miles north, and the blaze was estimated to be 300 acres as of this evening.

Extreme wind conditions kept planes and helicopters from attacking the fire today, but two dozers, seven fire crews and eight engines worked to extinguish the flames.

A type two incident management team has been ordered to manage suppression efforts.

chumley wrote:All I have to say about this is that they should retire fire names like they do hurricane names. There will only be one "Willow" fire in AZ anymore. At least I hope.

Springerville, AZ— “Despite the winds on Sunday, firefighters were able to make great progress to suppress the Willow Fire,” said Black Mesa District Ranger, Dee Hines. “Special thanks to Coconino NF, Tonto NF, Arizona Land Department-Forestry Division, for their quick initial attack response,” he added, “and thanks to Bureau of Land Management for offering backup resources on initial attack”

The fire, located about one mile north of Bear Canyon Lake, is estimated at 350-400 acres, better mapping capabilities will provide a more accurate number of acres.

Another acreage estimate will be provided later tonight. Firefighters are working on minimizing the potential threat to an APS KV powerline, as well as private lands to the north of the fire. Yesterday’s wind-driven fire activity caused the fire to spot up to ½ mile. Spots were lined-out quickly and did not pose further challenges. Firefighting resources were quickly available yesterday. On scene recources include: 2 Type I crews, 5 Type II crews, 4 dozers, and 9 engines, altogether approximately 200 fire personnel.

Fire crews will enforce their firelines today using some burnout operations.

The fire was determined to be human caused and is currently under investigation.

nonot wrote:Hmmm, campfire ban, smoking ban, firearm discharge ban.

What do I observe while out this weekend:

campfires
smokers
firearm practice

I guess the citizens of this state just aren't all that bright, and the Forest Service appears not to be able to enforce squat. (Though a forest service vehicle did actually pull into my campsite Sat night to remind me of the campfire ban.)

Let's not cry about all the forthcoming fires, the people who use the forests seem intent on ensuring its destruction.

azbackpackr wrote:Oh, well, it all has to burn sometime, may as well get it over with this year...

chumley wrote:This could also be supported by the fact that those areas of the A-S and Coconino forests are not closed (yet).

Continued rising temperatures, extemely dry forests, current wildfires on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, and the forecast of possible dry-lightning in the area this week has prompted officials of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests to impose additional Forest Closures.

Black Mesa District Ranger Dee Hines reported at a community of near 300 people Saturday night in Heber, “We will be closing the rest of the Black Mesa District, but have decided to keep some manageable areas open.” He added, “I need to stress that closures mean closures to all public. If private lands border “closed” national forest land, access is still prohibited.”

Closed to public access: All national forest system lands, roads and trails as they currently exist within the administrative boundaries of the Black Mesa Ranger District.