Cross Fire Receives Some Rain
Incident: Cross Wildfire
Released: 7/19/2009
WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Rain fell on the Cross Fire Saturday evening, dampening the south end of the 7,383-acre fire. The fire, 18 miles southeast of Williams, is steadily moving west within the planned management area.
Given the existing weather pattern over Northern Arizona and current fire activity, forest officials have decided to make some management changes on the Cross Fire. Managing smoke production relies significantly on weather conditions and the weather has not been very cooperative for the past several days. While smoke is lifting well throughout the day, gusty winds associated with thunderstorms in the area are pushing the smoke near and far.
In order to reduce these smoke impacts to local and outlying communities, officials have decided to reduce the planned management area for now and limit ignitions within the perimeter and along boundary lines. This will allow continued low to moderate backing fire to the west toward Forest Road 354, where the fire will be held, and improved smoke dispersal over the coming days. With this smaller management area, fewer personnel will be needed for operations and excess resources will be released from the incident when appropriate.
Today, there are 161 personnel assigned to the incident including the Flagstaff Hotshots, Grass Lake Wildland Fire Module, Arizona State Forestry Fire Crew, in addition to two water tenders, engines from the Coconino and the Kaibab National Forests, Kaibab helitack crew, fuels crew, dozer and helicopter.
The lightning-caused fire is being managed to achieve several objectives including providing for firefighter and public safety, reducing hazardous fuel accumulation, managing smoke production and returning fire to a fire-dependent ecosystem. To meet these objectives, actions have been taken to prevent rapid fire spread toward the north and east, enhance wildlife habitat, reduce the management area size and protect cultural resources.
Sunday, fire crews will patrol and monitor containment lines and scout ahead of the fire to determine where actions may need to be taken to prevent rapid upslope runs toward ridges.
There are no closures associated with the Cross Fire. However, forest visitors should use caution when traveling in the area and should watch for equipment and personnel.
For additional information on the Cross Fire, please contact Punky Moore, Fire Information Officer, (928-635-5653).
-USFS-
