Marteen Fire Update
Incident: Marteen Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 10/30/2008
WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Kaibab National Forest firefighters are continuing to manage the now 7,181-acre Marteen Wildland Fire Use Fire, which has been actively spreading through ponderosa pine, pinyon/juniper and grass about 15 miles northeast of Williams just north of Sitgreaves Mountain.
The fire is meeting resource managers' goals of reducing fuel buildup on the forest floor, decreasing the risk of future high-intensity wildland fires, increasing plant diversity, and allowing fire to play a more natural role within a fire-adapted ecosystem.
A smoke column from the Marteen fire is visible from Williams, Interstate 40 and Flagstaff. Better ventilation conditions are helping to lift the smoke up and away from local communities.
Firefighters are burning fuels between the fire and its designated boundaries to help ensure that private property within the area is protected. These burned out areas will also help keep the fire within its predetermined perimeter.
With dry and warm weather conditions predicted, Kaibab National Forest fire managers said they expect the Marteen fire to remain active and continue growing. Firefighters will continue to actively manage the Marteen fire's growth as long as it remains beneficial to forest resources.
The lightning-caused Marteen Wildland Fire Use Fire started Aug. 7 and grew to 700 acres before going dormant during monsoon rains. Renewed fire activity began Oct. 15.
