Fire grows to one acre

Lightning causes July 12 fire

A lightning-sparked fire has grown to one acre and became more active July 17, according to Forest Service officials.

The fire was called into Kaibab National Forest fire managers July 12. The Oak Fire is located three miles south of Summit Mountain and west of Round Mountain near Forest Road 129. It is creeping and smoldering through pine needles and down timber.

There have been many recent lightning fires on the forest that were quickly suppressed because of their close proximity to town, private property and/or developed recreation areas. In contrast, the Oak Fire is positioned away from developed areas and private property with a road to the south and a rocky ridge to the north. Under the current monsoon season conditions - cooler temperatures, higher humidity and possible daily precipitation - the Oak Fire is not expected to spread rapidly. Fire managers are monitoring the fire daily.

As the fire continues to burn, fire managers will re-evaluate the potential for it to grow taking into consideration weather, topography, fuels and values at risk. Then, fire managers could determine to manage the fire for resource benefits within a defined area, according to Forest Service officials.