Betty Wildland Fire Use Reaches Perimeter
Incident: Betty Wildland Fire Used for Re
Released: 6/19/2008
FREDONIA, AZ. - The Betty Wildland Fire Use (WFU) Fire ignited June 6 and burned 200 acres near Burnt Corral, finally reaching its containment lines late in the evening on June 15. Kaibab National Forest fire managers dedicated abundant resources and carried out aggressive management actions to achieve their primary objectives: ensure the fire remained within predetermined boundaries and restore a healthy forest ecosystem to the area.
In order to achieve these goals, fire managers treated the area to reduce the amount of burnable material and fuels that had accumulated within the 200 acre perimeter. Roads south of Burnt Corral, in the immediate vicinity of the fire perimeter, were improved upon in order to use them as fire barriers. Fire personnel also constructed fireline around sections of perimeter not already covered by roads. Large snags within the perimeter were removed to prevent the fire from spreading outside its boundaries; and, personnel preemptively burnt along the fire's perimeter to decrease extreme fire behavior.
Weather proved an important ally in the successful management of the Betty WFU Fire. The fire consistently burned at a low intensity, thanks to light winds during daylight hours, cool temperatures throughout the evening and late season precipitation. Smoke produced by the Betty WFU Fire was visible intermittently throughout the week from Fredonia and Kanab, Ut. However, what little smoke was generated quickly dissipated and blew away from populated areas.
Fire managers continue to inspect the area, and take actions to ensure the fire is no longer active. This will continue until the fire is declared extinguished.
Within the Kaibab National Forest land management plan, fire managers have identified areas where fuels reduction projects such as burning and thinning will be implemented to protect communities and help prevent future large fires. The program takes advantage of seasonal weather opportunities to utilize fire safely and effectively. The goals of the fire management program include reducing hazardous buildup of burnable vegetation, creating future fire breaks and improving forest health.
Fire managers plan to continue conducting prescribed burns and managing wildland fire use fires on the North Kaibab Plateau and other areas on the Kaibab National Forest in order to protect communities and improve forest health. The patience and willingness of local residents and businesses to endure minor smoke impacts during planned burning is vital to ensuring that forests are eventually less prone to destructive and dangerous wildfires that result in serious smoke impacts and threats to communities.
