Schultz Fire Closure Area Reduced
Incident: Schultz Fire Wildfire
Released: 6/30/2010
NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
U.S. Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
For Immediate Release
June 30, 2010
Contact: Karen Malis-Clark
Tel: 928-527-3492, c 606-6878
Schultz Fire closure area reduced
Flagstaff, AZ - The Coconino National Forest is reducing the size of the emergency fire closure around the Schultz Fire. It is now safe to provide public access into areas that no longer pose a dangerous situation and do not interfere with ongoing suppression efforts. The fire activity has drastically subsided, but there are still ongoing "hotspots" within the fire and crews continue to work on those locations.
One of the greatest safety concerns now within the fire area is the hazard of dead trees falling over. These hazard trees will be a safety issue for a long time. In addition, because of the severity of the burn and lack of vegetation, loose rocks are rolling down the hillside posing a safety concern.
The following trails are re-opened as of Thursday morning July 1 (Fort Valley area, some in Kachina Peaks Wilderness and Mt. Elden/Dry Lake Hills area):
· Elden Lookout Trail
· Fatmans Loop
· Sandy Seep
· Humphreys Trail
· Kachina Trail
· Christmas Tree Trail
· Brookbank Trail
· Pipeline Trail
· Upper and Lower Oldham Trails
· Rocky Ridge Trail
· Schultz Creek Trail
· All the Trails in Fort Valley Trail System
· Forest road 164b in the Fort Valley area will re-open
· Snowbowl Skyride
Still closed:
Freidlein Prairie Road, Schultz Pass Road, and Elden Lookout Road
Little Bear Trail
Deer Hill Trail
Weatherford Trail
Inner Basin Trail
Waterline Road/Trail
Portion of Sunset Trail (from junction with Brookbank Trail to Schultz Creek Trail)
Most of Little Elden Trail (from junction of Heart Trail north to Sunset Trail)
Lockett Meadow Campground and Little Elden Springs Campground, although not directly impacted by the Schultz Fire, remain closed indefinitely pending a safety assessment.
According to Brian Poturalski, acting Peaks and Mormon Lake Deputy District Ranger, "A limited number of people have violated the area closure. We greatly appreciate the public's assistance and understanding to stay out of the burned area while we continue with fire suppression efforts and the rehabilitation assessment. We value the ongoing respect of the area closure by the Flagstaff community and forest visitors. We're glad to be able to open these much valued trails for the 4th of July holiday weekend."
Fire closures are implemented as standard fire operations procedure for public safety and firefighter safety. This modified closure to public access is in force until July 31, 2010 or later if necessary. The map and closure order is at
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/nepa/forest-orders/04-10-05-f.pdf
The U.S. Forest Service is still seeking information concerning the person or persons responsible for causing the Schultz Fire. To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the Schultz Fire. The Forest Service is offering a reward of up to $2500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The Schultz fire was caused by a campfire that was abandoned without being properly extinguished in the area of Schultz Tank, Little Elden Trail, and Forest Road 420.
Please call the Schultz Fire Investigations hotline at (928) 527-3508 if you have any information.
For Schultz Fire general information, please call Peaks Ranger Station at 928-526-0866. (Note change in phone number.)
