Castle Fire Continues to Grow Under Favorable Conditions
Incident: Castle Fire Wildfire
Released: 6/23/2009
The Castle Fire on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest continues to grow under favorable weather and fuel conditions. Fire personnel plan to continue managing the fire, which has reached 188 acres in size, for as long as fire behavior remains favorable and resource objectives are being met. The Castle Fire, which was discovered June 15, is located just southeast of Big Springs in the Castle Canyon area. As it burns through the forest understory and accumulations of forest debris, it is helping to reestablish the ecological role of fire, promote forest health, and reduce the future risk of large, destructive wildfires. Fire managers expect the Castle Fire to continue growing steadily over the next couple of days. Smoke will continue to be visible from Highway 67 and Fredonia. To prepare for the Castle Fire's growth, fire crews have been burning fuels along forest roads in order to limit progression in certain directions. Forest Road 769 serves as the northern and eastern boundary of the area in which the fire will be managed. Forest Road 454 serves as the southern boundary. Fire crews have been burning fuels along these roads as needed to keep up with the interior fire growth and spread. For additional information on the Castle Fire, please contact Jackie Banks at (928) 635-8314 or visit www.inciweb.org/incident/1701/.
