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Conditions on Kaibab Forest ripe for wildfire
visitors and residents urged to use caution on windy days

Ryan Williams/WGCN<br>
Vegetation along Airport Road in Williams looks like it could use some rain. A red flag warning went into effect last week when low humidity and high winds combined to create high wildfire danger.

Ryan Williams/WGCN<br> Vegetation along Airport Road in Williams looks like it could use some rain. A red flag warning went into effect last week when low humidity and high winds combined to create high wildfire danger.

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Despite a late winter storm that left close to 24 inches of snow on the ground in Williams and surrounding regions, wildfires will again be a concern this summer.

Late last week, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for northern Arizona. The warning issued April 5, covered the Williams and Tusayan districts on the Kaibab National Forest and remained in effect until 8 p.m. During red flag warnings, forest visitors are advised to refrain from having campfires.

Red flag warnings are generated when strong wind and low relative humidity is predicted causing an increased potential for large fire growth.

Punky Moore, Fire Information Officer with the Kaibab Forest, said last week's conditions fit the bill.

"We saw winds of 20 to 25 miles per hour and gusting around 40 and a relative humidity of maybe 8 to 15, which is pretty low and those kinds of conditions increase potential for large fire growth," Moore said. "So, if we were to have a start it could be an issue depending on the location of the start."

Moore added, campfires started during red flag warnings are a particularly bad idea but during any windy conditions, caution is advised.

"Even if it isn't a red flag warning day, if it's a windy day, we advise visitors not to have a campfire," she said. "We would like folks to take on that personal responsibility and make sure they're using their best judgment in the woods."

While the recent snowfall helped shore up precipitation totals for the winter, it won't stave off wildfire concerns on its own.

"It's pretty dry from what we're hearing, Moore said. "I think that two feet of snow was nice but it melted very fast."

Windy conditions typical of this time of year in northern Arizona helps dry out vegetation quickly. In more exposed areas, Moore said conditions are conducive to wildfire.

For recorded fire information updates, please call (928) 635-8311. For forest alerts, visit http://fs.usda.gov/kaibab. For detailed weather information including red flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service, visit www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz.


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