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Monsoons create temporary closure on Kendrick; prescribed fires implemented

Hazardous fuels reduction treatments takes place on the North Kaibab Ranger District in 2017. Prescribed burns are now being implemented on areas of the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest. (David Hercher/U.S. Forest Service, KNF)

Hazardous fuels reduction treatments takes place on the North Kaibab Ranger District in 2017. Prescribed burns are now being implemented on areas of the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts of the Kaibab National Forest. (David Hercher/U.S. Forest Service, KNF)

WILLIAMS, Ariz. —Kaibab National Forest has implemented a temporary closure of Forest Road 149 near Kendrick Mountain on the Williams Ranger District because of safety concerns from recent monsoon activity.

FR 149, which is located in the far northeastern corner of the Williams Ranger District just east of Pumpkin Center, accesses the Pumpkin Trailhead on Kendrick Mountain. Because of the risk of flooding and the associated public safety concerns, the road has been temporarily closed and will remain so until monsoon conditions subside, according to the Forest Service.

Barricades are installed at the entry to the road. No driving or parking along FR 149 will be allowed until the closure is lifted. While the Pumpkin Trail itself is not closed, forest managers have recommended use of either the Kendrick Mountain or Bull Basin trails while the closure of FR 149 is in effect because of the lack of trailhead parking.

Because of a severe lack of winter moisture, there was very little growth of grasses and plants in the area of the 2017 Boundary Fire on Kendrick Mountain, making for potentially unstable conditions during heavy monsoonal rains. Because of that, the Forest Service said there is an increased risk of flooding in the area, with FR 149 being particularly vulnerable.

Forest managers also advise visitors to the Kendrick Mountain area to have heightened awareness about potential safety hazards and exercise increased vigilance regarding personal safety, especially during rain events.

“After any fire, there is a need to recognize that the landscape is still stabilizing itself, especially in the immediate post-fire period and during monsoon conditions such as those we are experiencing now,” said Micah Kiesow, soil scientist for the Kaibab National Forest. “While the Kendrick Mountain area and its trails are open to public use except for Forest Road 149, it is still important to understand that hazards can exist. We ask visitors to be aware of their surroundings when recreating in the forest, especially in areas that have been impacted by wildfire in recent years.”

Prescribed burns

Officials on the Kaibab National Forest will begin managing three new lightning caused wildfires for the benefit of accomplishing land management objectives that include reducing hazardous fuel accumulations and restoring overall forest health.

The Pine Ridge fire at five acres and the JD fire at half an acre were discovered July 8 and are located on the southern portion of the Williams Ranger District near Pine Flat. The one acre Blue fire also discovered July 8 is located approximately five miles east of Red Butte on the Tusayan Ranger District. All of these fires will be monitored closely over the next several days with the intent of allowing fire to burn as it would naturally over the landscape as long as it can be safely managed while benefiting forest resources.

Each of these fires will have a designated planning area that will identify management objective priorities within the individual locations.

According to the Forest Service, recent moisture from monsoon rains has created ideal conditions to allow for low to moderate fire intensity to occur in these areas that are in a predominant Ponderosa pine fuel type. Weather forecasts are predicting more rain in the week ahead so growth potential is expected to be minimal over the next several days.

Smoke may be visible at times from the surrounding areas. Fire managers will monitor smoke closely and take precautions to minimize impacts to adjacent residential areas. Motorists are asked to be aware of fire personnel and vehicles and use caution when driving near the vicinity of these fires.


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