Fire Managers Pleased With Success of Castle Fire
Incident: Castle Fire Wildfire
Released: 6/25/2009
Forest and fire managers said they are extremely pleased with the successful management of the Castle Fire on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. The Castle Fire, which was discovered June 15, reached 432 acres in size. No additional growth is expected. The Castle Fire, which is located just southeast of Big Springs in the Castle Canyon area, was being managed to achieve both protection and resource management objectives. Objectives included reducing the future risk of large, destructive wildfires, reestablishing the ecological role of fire, and promoting forest health. "We are very pleased with the results of the Castle Fire," said Ed Hiatt, incident commander and North Zone fire management officer. "While we can't always manage fires in June, this year provided an outstanding opportunity to allow fire to move across the landscape and meet resource objectives." Hiatt went on to explain that an unusually wet May and cooler June temperatures moderated fire behavior and made conditions on the Kaibab Plateau much more springlike than normal for the time of year. The Castle Fire is now considered 100 percent contained, and no additional growth is expected. Firefighters will continue to patrol the area and monitor the fire. Smoke will continue to be visible for the next several days from Highway 67 and Fredonia. To view a map and photos of the Castle Fire, please visit www.inciweb.org/incident/1701/. For additional information, please contact Jackie Banks at (928) 635-8314.
