Coconino National Forest - Official Public Affairs Office News Release- Update #1:
(June 29, 2012)
Coconino National Forest wrote:Location: Approximately 15 miles northeast of Blue Ridge Reservoir near Highway 87 in the Jacks Canyon area. About 70 percent of the fire’s perimeter is active, and burning toward the northeast in an area mostly populated by juniper.
Size: 620 acres
Reported: 7:22 a.m. today
Cause: Lightning
Current Resources: Two engines, one crew and a helicopter with water bucket. Approximately 40 personnel currently, but tomorrow another crew will arrive, bringing total personnel to about 60.
State Route 87: Closures Description: Closed due to fire Location: On State Route 87, NS-bound from mile post 338.0, 1.50 miles South of WINSLOW to mile post 290.45, 0.50 miles North of CLINTS WELL Duration: June 30 from 1:59 P.M. Until Further Notice Public Notes: Road closed due to Forest Fire.
State Route 87: Closures Description: Closed due to fire Location: On State Route 87, NS-bound from mile post 338.0, 1.50 miles South of WINSLOW to mile post 290.45, 0.50 miles North of CLINTS WELL Duration: June 30 from 1:59 P.M. Until Further Notice Public Notes: Road closed due to Forest Fire.
Event Id: 460148
ADOT Update at July 1, 2012 ~10am:
This previously closed section of Hwy 87 is again "re-opened" for slow travel access.
EDIT Update:
Due to heavy smoke and public safety concerns, Highway 87 has again been closed (See ADOT link for latest status- http://www.az511.com/adot/files/ )
Last edited by Grasshopper on Jul 01 2012 3:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
7/1/12pm update from Mogollon Rim Ranger District:
"As it stands right now, the Canyon fire is approximately 5200 acres. Crews and air tankers made significant progress on the south end of the fire today. The burn out that was done on Highway 87 looks great also. Highway 87 is closed, and upon ADOT’s recommendation will remain closed through the evening until possibly noon tomorrow, Monday, July 2nd. Fire manager feel good about today’s operations and want to thank all of you for your support and cooperation during this on going fire fighting effort."
Observed a DC-10 fly out of Williams Gateway yesterday and fly north, maybe to the Canyon Fire. Was planning on camping (popup camper) at Blue Ridge mid July, may not camp there now.
The fire has apparently gone through the main climbing area (AzDailySun) . Sad since it was such a beautiful area and great climbing. It will take some time to determine what is and is not climbable. I imagine that Deidre who published the guide and did much of the building must be heartbroken.
Started: June 29, 2012 Cause: Lightning Acres: 7500 Containment: 75% Resources Committed: 3 Engines, 1 Helicopter is available, if needed. Todays Strategy: Engine crews will concentrate along Highway 87, making sure there are no
hot spots, and extinguishing if there are. One engine will be patrolling on the west side of the
fire checking for hot spots and possible flare ups. Comments: The fire looks real good; fire personnel did a lot of hard work. The fire
transitioned from a Type 3 incident to a Type 4 incident this morning. The fire received some
precipitation yesterday, and hand crews, dozer, and misc. overhead were demobilized
yesterday afternoon back to their home units. Little Bly Pit is now open; we thank you for your
patience while we used it as a helispot. The Rock Climbing area will remain CLOSED through the
weekend.We have people down in Jack’s Canyon looking for any hazard trees; lose rocks, and
other possible hazards that need to be dealt with. Roads leading into the fire on the west side
of Highway 87 will remain closed through the weekend.
Route Editor
Route Scout
