Ruby Fire Activity Update
Incident: Ruby Fire Prescribed Fire
Released: 6/9/2009
WILLIAMS, Ariz. -Cool temperatures and cloud cover are slowing activity on the Ruby Fire eight miles southeast of Tusayan, Ariz. It is approximately 1,300 acres. With the current cool weather and low fire activity, few resources are needed to monitor fire progression. Tuesday, resources assigned to the fire include one engine, one crew, one dozer, archaeologist, resource advisor, incident commander and operations personnel.
The Ruby Fire is 1 1/2 miles southwest of the Game Reserve Fire that is in Grand Canyon National Park. Officials from the Kaibab National Forest and Grand Canyon National Park continue to meet on a regular basis to discuss interagency management options for the Ruby and Game Reserve fires. They are exploring different ways to manage the fires across jurisdictional boundaries in the event they continue to spread toward each other. A small portion of the Game Reserve Fire has crossed the park boundary onto the Kaibab National Forest.
The Ruby Fire continues to spread primarily west and northwest meeting officials' management objectives for the incident. The fire is being managed for both protection and resource objectives. In order to accomplish these objectives, personnel are taking actions to prevent aggressive fire spread toward Grand Canyon National Park and near historical sites. They are also looking for opportunities to move fire across the landscape when conditions are appropriate to reduce hazardous fuel buildup, enhance wildlife habitat and improve forest health.
The Arizona Trail is about one mile north of the Ruby Fire. The trail is a popular hiking, biking and horseback riding trail that goes from Mexico to Utah and travels the whole north-south length of Arizona. Personnel have taken actions to lessen impacts to the trail if fire continues to proceed north. If necessary, managers may place a temporary closure on portions of the trail to provide for public safety while allowing continued fire progression.
Smoke may be visible along State Highway 64 and in some areas of Grand Canyon National Park. There is some morning haze in the eastern part of Grand Canyon. There are no air quality impacts to Tusayan. Managers work closely with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to monitor smoke production.
The forecast calls for cool temperatures and cloud cover to persist through the week There is a chance of isolated rain showers. These conditions will keep fire spread to a minimum.
There are no closures associated with the Ruby Fire. Visitors should use caution while traveling on forest roads in the fire vicinity. For additional information, please contact Punky Moore, Fire Information Officer, 928-635-5653. -USFS-
