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Managed fires near Tusayan reach maximum size

Fire managers work the fire line at The McRae Fire on the Tusayan Fire District. U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.<br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 -->

Fire managers work the fire line at The McRae Fire on the Tusayan Fire District. U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest.<br /><br /><!-- 1upcrlf2 -->

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - The McRae and Hammer managed fires near Tusayan have reached their maximum size. Fire managers have treated a total of 14,376 acres and achieved many resource objectives like burning accumulations of forest debris, improving wildlife habitat, and reducing the likelihood of high-severity fires that could threaten neighboring communities.

The Sitgreaves Complex near Parks experienced its single biggest day of growth yesterday, reaching a total size of 10,201 acres. Fire managers said they were pleased to quickly accomplish treatment of a few thousand acres in a single day, thereby lessening the overall time of the fire and the number of remaining days of smoke effects to nearby communities.

McRae Complex, Tusayan Ranger District

The McRae Fire, which lightning started in early July, reached a maximum size of 5,505 acres. There has been minimal fire activity and not much fire spread over the last few days. The Forest Service will continue to monitor the area daily to make sure that all containment lines are holding. The closure that was put into effect to ensure public safety will be lifted this Friday. On Aug 9, the Hammer Fire reached its final size of 8,871 acres. Crews completed final management ignitions within the designated planning area and monitored the fire as it spread to fill the boundary lines established for it. On Aug. 10, fire managers will begin removing fire-weakened hazard trees and putting out hot spots, a technique known as mopping up, near road edges. There may be some movement of ground fire within containment lines, but it is expected to be minimal.

"Managing these fires has been a success story for the Tusayan Ranger District," said James Simino, district ranger. "We treated a lot of acres safely and effectively, and we owe thanks to our neighbors and partners for supporting us as we took on this important project and to all the fire crews for their hard work and dedication to the job."

Sitgreaves Complex, Williams Ranger District

The Sitgreaves Complex experienced its single biggest day of growth yesterday due to a focused effort by fire managers to use aerial and hand ignitions to fill in critical gaps within established perimeters. The goal of these management ignitions was twofold: to treat strategically-important areas of Sitgreaves Mountain in advance of impending monsoon activity and to lessen the overall duration of the fire in order to limit the number of remaining days of smoke impacts to local communities.

"We have now treated much of the area on and around the mountain, which is an incredible accomplishment given that Sitgreaves hadn't seen fire in almost a hundred years," said James Pettit, fire management officer for the Williams Ranger District. "The work we are doing will provide benefits to the forest and surrounding communities for many years to come."

This week, crews will hold and strengthen containment lines established for the fire and will continue management ignitions to fill in small islands of unburned fuels. Monsoon moisture is expected to return to the fire area starting this week.


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