Kaibab National Forest Manages Wildland Fire Use F
Incident: Betty Wildland Fire Used for Re
Released: 6/10/2008
FREDONIA, Ariz. - Kaibab National Forest fire managers are managing a wildland fire use (WFU) fire on the North Kaibab Ranger District west of Forest Road (FR) 22, near the area of Burnt Corral and FR 274. WFU fires are naturally-ignited (lightning) and are managed to meet resource objectives such as improving wildlife habitat, reducing the potential for high-intensity wildland fires, and restoring fire to a more natural role in the ecosystem.
WFU Fire Name: Betty WFU Fire
Time/Date Started: June 6, 2008; discovered by fire personnel
Location: North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest; the Betty WFU Fire is located south of Burnt Corral and west of FR 22.
Cause: Lightning (All WFU fires must be naturally ignited.)
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, aspen, pine litter, grass
Size: 50 acres. Fire managers plan to keep the Betty WFU Fire within predetermined boundaries. If the fire grows to the maximum boundary area, it will reach about 200 acres in size.
Resources Committed: Forest and district fire managers are monitoring the Betty WFU Fire daily. Two engines, 1 dozer, 1 water tender, 1 hotshot crew. Total personnel = approximately 40. Three helicopters are available.
Resource Benefits: Restoration of a fire-adapted ecosystem; reduction of accumulated fuels on the forest floor; recycling of nutrients into the soil; protection of the greater area from future high-intensity wildland fires.
Closures: No road/trail closures are in effect. FR 274 remains open. However, hazard signs are posted, and motorists should exercise caution.
Summary: The Betty WFU Fire produced minimal amounts of smoke over the weekend due to high moisture levels, resulting in a low-intensity burn. Some smoke was visible from the city of Fredonia Monday afternoon. There are fire-treated areas to the west and north of the WFU fire area. The area is also surrounded by roads that can be used as barriers to fire growth. Fire managers plan to keep the Betty WFU Fire within predetermined boundaries. It will be limited in size to 200 acres or less in the geographic area south of Burnt Corral and west of FR 274.
Wildland Fire Use Fires: The objective of any WFU fire is to protect, maintain and enhance resources; and, as nearly as possible, allow fire to function in its natural ecological role within defined boundaries. Before a fire is put into WFU status, land managers evaluate several criteria. For example, archaeologists and wildlife biologists inspect the area to ensure wildlife habitats and archaeological sites will not be harmed as a result of the fire or management practices. Once a fire is put into WFU status, it is actively managed, meaning boundaries, weather and fuels conditions under which the fire will be allowed to burn are established.
