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Forest Fire Smoke Blankets Verde Valley

Sedona Fire EMS ArizonaSedona AZ (June 24, 2015)The following is an update on the smoke visible in the Village of Oak Creek, Sedona, and the Verde Valley. Links are provided for further information:

Sedona Fire District
June 24, 2015

Good Morning,

This morning, we have all woken up to smoke in the area. The smoke is coming from the Horse Tank Fire, which has been burning near Hwy. 260 and Hwy. 87 close to Strawberry since June 6th and is being handled by crews working the almost 3,000 acre fire. Fire suppression efforts have been on-going 24 hours a day; there were 400 acres burned on the night of June 22nd. We expect the smoke to clear by this afternoon.

As you understand, there is nothing we can do to prevent the wind or the topography that can draw the smoke into the Verde Valley. While we have not had to deal with much smoke this year, it is a common occurrence in the summer. The report I have read states the Horse Tank and Camillo Fires are fulfilling their natural and crucial roles in the ecosystem. The forest needs frequent, low severity fires to restore wildlife habitat, promote healthy vegetation, reduce fuels, and reduce the risk of severe fires. For more information on the fire, click here.

I hope everyone understands the important balance the Forest Service must weigh when determining the best course of action in developing the most appropriate incident management plan. Sedona Fire District has nothing to do with some of those decisions and in this case, the fire is about 75 miles away.

We appreciate the concern of all those who have called, emailed, or texted this morning and we continue to do our best to keep everyone informed. We do not always get any warning when smoke will be coming our way – but we do our best to make sure we let you know what we know!

As a reminder – there will be a test of the sirens today in Oak Creek Canyon, Uptown, and Pine Valley Subdivision at approximately 10:00 AM. This is part of our Monsoon Preparedness Plan. It is a good time to simply think about a plan if there was a flooding situation in your vicinity – what would you do, where would you go? Preparing for things ahead of time is the key to success for everyone. To learn more on Monsoon Preparedness, click here.

Respectfully Submitted,

Kris Kazian
Fire Chief
Sedona Fire District
928.204.8924

Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!

Read www.SedonaEye.com for daily news and interactive views!

6 Comments

  1. Doug, VOC says:

    once more found info here & thanks chief kazan

    hate hearing it ‘s a bad fire below the rim beautiful area & tough loss

  2. Camillo and Horse Tank Fires Update: Evening Storms reverse Smoke Direction for Managed Fires

    Evening thunderstorms unexpectedly altered the direction of smoke from the Camillo and Horse Tank fires, which was flowing toward the northeast and reversed flow toward the west/southwest. This led to smoke impacts in Verde Valley, Sedona, and communities west and southwest of the fires. Smoke that was pushed west/southwest of the fires will move through communities today such as Flagstaff as wind returns to blowing toward the east/northeast direction today.

    The Horse Tank fire completed ignitions yesterday, burning 671 acres which produced a fair amount of smoke during the day. Ignitions will not continue on the Horse Tank fire, as objectives have been met. Future smoke impacts will lessen, remain near the smoldering fire and eventually disappear with the completion of ignitions.

    The Camillo fire burned 4,136 acres yesterday consuming interior pockets of fuel and backing down steep slopes. Aerial ignitions were used to light on top of ridgelines and cinder cones.

    CAMILLO FIRE OVERVIEW

    Start Date: June 14, 2015
    Location: 20 miles south of Flagstaff, just southeast of Mormon Lake.
    Current Size: 16,845 acres

    Operations Today: Crews continue to monitor the northeastern boundary of the fire management area near the KV power lines. Preparation along the power lines for future ignitions is still occurring. Fire personnel continue to bring low severity fire along the power lines towards the south. The main focus today will be on cleaning up interior pockets of unburned fuels and solidifying the eastern perimeter along FR 82.

    Smoke: The majority of smoke will disperse to the northeast. Evening thunderstorms yesterday created a shift in wind direction pushing smoke into the Mormon Lake area and Flagstaff. Smoke will lift and drift out of the area as winds return to the normal southwest to northeast flow today. Smoke will be the densest in early morning and late in the evening, motorists are urged to drive with caution.

    Closures: As of today, the southern boundary of the closure area has been extended to FR 135, which is closed to the public. Residents of the Mahan Park subdivision who regularly use FR 135 from Lake Mary Road may use the alternate route of FR 294 off Lake Mary Road and the section of FR 135 that accesses their subdivision. Other closures include lands, roads, and trails in the vicinity of Little Mormon Mountain. This includes Forest Roads 92, 124, and a portion of 82. The area on the south side of FR 125 will be closed, but lands north of the road as well as FR 125 itself will remain open with access to Kinnikinick Lake. The Gooseberry Springs Trailhead and a portion of the Arizona Trail are also closed. See the full closure order and map on Inciweb. Delays are possible along FR 125 and Lake Mary Road because of fire personnel, smoke and equipment in the area.

    HORSE TANK FIRE OVERVIEW

    Start Date: June 6, 2015
    Location: Six miles north of Strawberry, south of Highway 260 near the junction with Hwy 87
    Current Size: 3,603 acres

    Operations Today: Firefighters continue to monitor the interior of the fire, conduct mop-up and clear dead trees along FR 609 and other areas. Crews are being demobilized as this fire lessens and objectives have been met.

    Smoke: Visible from Highways 260 and 87, I-17, Payson, Pine, Strawberry, Blue Ridge and the Verde Valley. Smoke impacts will remain local near the fire itself and greatly lessen over the next couple of days since no additional ignitions are planned.

    Closures: Forest Roads 9366R, 9384A, 9381, 609, a portion of 9361A, 9367R, 608, 607, and 607A are closed to all entry.

  3. Be advised emergency broadcast system is advising winds of up to 60 miles per hour in the Clarkdale area. Secure animals and outdoor furniture.

    Tune in to the NOA.

  4. Weather for Coconino Co…. …EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM MST THIS EVENING BELOW 4000 FEET… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FLAGSTAFF HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM MST THIS EVENING. * TEMPERATURE…AFTERNOON HIGHS BETWEEN 105-115 IN THE LOWER ELEVATIONS OF THE GRAND CANYON BELOW 4000 FEET. * IMPACTS…PEOPLE RECREATING OUTDOORS WILL FACE AN ELEVATED RISK OF HEAT RELATED ILLNESS. DEPENDING UPON THE AMOUNT OF EXPOSURE AND THE HEALTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL…HEAT ILLNESS CAN RANGE FROM MILD TO FATAL.

  5. Weather for Yavapai Co…. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FLAGSTAFF HAS ISSUED A * SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… CENTRAL YAVAPAI COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ARIZONA… * UNTIL 515 PM MST * AT 448 PM MST…DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED OVER PRESCOTT VALLEY…AND MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 20 MPH. * LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… PRESCOTT…PRESCOTT VALLEY…YAVAPAI COUNTY COURTHOUSE PRESCOTT… YAVAPAI COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS…PRESCOTT VALLEY…PRESCOTT… WILLIAMSON VALLEY…PRESCOTT GATEWAY MALL…OAK KNOLL VILLAGE… GROOM CREEK SUBDIVISION…PRESCOTT AIRPORT…LYNX LAKE DAM… TIMS TOYOTA CENTER PRESCOTT VALLEY AND HIGHWAY 89A AND GLASSFORD HILL. THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING HIGHWAYS… STATE ROUTE 89 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 310 AND 324. STATE ROUTE 89A BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 318 AND 330. STATE ROUTE 69 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 283 AND 296.

  6. Prescott, AZ (July 8, 2015) –A small lightning caused wildfire was detected in the Granite Mountain Wilderness near Blair Pass (T15N, R3W, S33). Smoke and flames may be visible on the 1/10 acre fire burning within the Doce Fire perimeter.

    The Blair Pass fire is being monitored.

    More information on the Prescott National Forest via the following:

    · Arizona Fire Restrictions http://firerestrictions.us/az/

    · Prescott NF Fire Information Hotline: (928) 777-5799

    · Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/

    · Local Ranger Stations: Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 443-8000; Chino Valley Ranger District (928) 777-2200; Verde Ranger District (928) 567-4121

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