Marteen Fire Update
Incident: Marteen Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 11/6/2008
Activity Slows on Marteen Wildland Fire Use
The Marteen Wildland Fire Use (WFU) is located 15 miles northeast of Williams, AZ and estimated at 10,101 acres. Activity decreased significantly this week due to colder temperatures, shorter days and longer nights. Fire managers expect minimal activity unless the weather changes dramatically or enough precipitation is received to extinguish it.
Managing fires for resource benefits is often long duration in nature. When the Marteen Fire started Aug. 7, managers placed it under a confinement strategy. After a week of evaluation, observation and assessment, fire managers decided to shift the Marteen Fire from confinement status to fire use management for resource benefits. Authority for these management decisions is consistent with proposed modifications to the Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy, 2003.
The fire grew to 700 acres before stalling out under monsoon rains. Personnel observed renewed activity on Oct. 15. Then, the fire steadily gained ground for two weeks under dry and warm conditions.
One of the primary resource benefits resulting from the Marteen WFU is the reintroduction of fire in a part of the forest that has been without this natural disturbance for too long. The absence of fire activity in large areas across the forest has created dangerous fuel build up and increased the potential for large out of control fires.
"This has been a very successful wildland fire use incident. Personnel took management actions when necessary to prevent fire spread onto private property or near cultural resource sites. Otherwise, the fire was allowed to perform in its natural role in the ecosystem as it moved across the landscape. Wildland fire use management is one of the tools that fire managers will continue to use when it is the appropriate way to achieve resource objectives, improve forest health and protect communities," said Joe Reinarz, Kaibab National Forest South Zone Fire Management Officer.
For more information, please contact Punky Moore, Fire Information Officer, (928-635-5653).
-USFS-
