Lightning starts two fires on Kaibab National Forest

Fire officials to manage fires on Tusayan and Williams districts to benefit forest and surrounding communities

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Lightning caused fires have started across the forest with the return of significant monsoon activity to northern Arizona.

On both the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts, fire managers are taking advantage of good conditions to allow some of these natural fires to benefit the forest and surrounding communities.

"With recent deep moisture, we feel confident in a quick transition from extreme fire danger and the associated full suppression fire management strategies to managing natural fire to benefit our resources" said District Fire Management Officer James Pettit. The Forest service manages resource benefit fires to reduce accumulated forest litter and fuels, maintain fire in a fire-adapted ecosystem, increase firefighter and public safety and protect cultural resources and wildlife habitat.

Williams Ranger District

Currently two acres in size, the Duck Fire is located about three miles northwest of Parks, Arizona. Officials have identified a planning area of approximately 5,300 acres in which the fire could spread. Fire managers anticipate 1-2 acre growth potential each day over the next several days. Smoke may be visible from I-40.

Tusayan Ranger District

Currently 158 acres in size, the McRae Fire is located about five miles southeast of Tusayan, Arizona. To plan for fire growth, officials have identified a planning area of approximately 11,000 acres in which the fire could spread.

Fire managers anticipate 5-10 acre growth potential each day over the next several days. Crews may conduct 25 acres of perimeter road ignitions along FSR 688 and FSR 305 for firefighter and public safety. If managed ignitions occur, smoke may become highly visible from Highway 64.

While varying monsoonal precipitation and winds are likely to change fire behavior and growth over the next several days, fire officials anticipate general fire behavior to be low intensity with 6-12 inch flame lengths. Reported fire behavior includes creeping, smoldering, and backing fire.