#NewsRelease The Coconino National Forest is in the beginning stages of managing two lightning-caused wildfire starts – located south of the City of Flagstaff – for forest health.
Smoke from both fires will remain visible along Interstate 17 throughout the fire management process.
The Scott Fire, located roughly 5 miles south of Kachina Village between I-17 and Highway 89 (GPS: 35°01’29.4″N 111°43’04.3″W), was first reported 5 p.m. July 31 and is about 16 acres burning in ponderosa, oak and small amounts of juniper.
Resources on the Scott Fire include one Hotshot crew, one hand crew, two engines, one dozer and miscellaneous overhead.
The Luke Fire is 8.5 acres and is located between I-17 and Stoneman Lake (GPS: 34°47’42.8″N 111°33’55.9″W). It was first reported 4 p.m. July 31 and is experiencing minimal fire behavior. Resources assigned to the Luke Fire include three engines and miscellaneous overhead.
There are no structures threatened by the Luke and Scott fires.
Wildfires are a natural part of the Coconino NF’s ecosystem, and when managed diligently and properly following the requisite planning process, improve the landscape long-term in several ways.
Low-intensity fire works to release nutrients into soils and reduce the accumulation of hazardous fuels on the forest floor, such as dry pine needles and fallen leaves.
The management of naturally-ignited wildfire can also protect critical infrastructure, watersheds, wildlife habitat and culturally sensitive areas from future high-severity wildfires.
The Scott and Luke wildfires are in areas where previous fires have occurred and prescribed fires are planned. Managing both the Scott and the Luke wildfires for forest health will increase the amount of treated land near Kachina Village and Mountainaire and work to tie together the fire history in this fire-dependent ecosystem.
This will help further reduce hazardous fuels and help protect infrastructure, property and resources near the surrounding communities.
The management of these fires aligns with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape as well as other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.
There are no active road, trail or area closures at this point, but forest visitors are asked to avoid the fire areas and remain cognizant of firefighting operations.
The Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team has been ordered to oversee Scott Fire operations and will assume control of the fire this weekend.
The Coconino NF will continue managing the Luke Fire at this time.
Read more: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1128463
