Incidents All News

Williams, Ariz., July 7, 2023 – Current and forecast weather continues to be a major factor for fire managers as they plan operations on the Ridge and Three Lakes fires. Crews and an incident meteorologist are collecting localized data to track and predict wind speed and direction, high and low temperatures, and maximum and minimum humidity at multiple times throughout the day and night.

Williams, Ariz., June 30, 2023 – With light winds and double-digit humidities this weekend, fire managers on the Ridge and Three Lakes fires will be able to continue tactical firing operations. This means crews apply fire to strategic locations within the planning areas as a safety measure in advance of the main fire. Doing so helps maintain the generally slower pace and lower intensity as the fire moves across the landscape.

Williams, Ariz., June 28, 2023 – Fires on the Kaibab National Forest held within fire lines through two days of Red Flag conditions. Temperatures near 80°F, single-digit humidity, and sustained winds over 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph created conditions conducive to rapid wildfire spread.

Williams, Ariz., June 26, 2023 – Kaibab National Forest has been taking advantage of unseasonably cool and wet conditions to manage lightning-caused fires to remove hazardous fuels, promote healthy vegetation and improve forest health. These environmental conditions persisted beyond the typical spring prescribed fire season.

Tusayan, Ariz., June 24, 2023 — Sustained winds of 20 miles-per-hour and humidity levels dropping into the single digits have brought near-Red Flag conditions to the Tusayan area. Crews are improving protections, monitoring the fire for increased activity, and ensuring the fire stays within the designated area.

Tusayan, Arizona, June 20, 2023 — Crews continue to work on the lightning-caused Hull and Ridge Fires on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. The Ridge Fire, located approximately 7 miles southeast of Tusayan along forest road 302 near Skinner Tank, is currently 894 acres burning in ponderosa pine forest, and is moving south along Skinner Ridge.

Tusayan, Arizona, June 13, 2023 — Two new lightning caused wildfires discovered last week east of Tusayan will be managed within designated areas to reduce fuel loads and promote healthier landscapes. The Ridge Fire started by lightning on June 4 is located approximately 7 miles southeast of Tusayan along forest road 302 near Skinner Tank. It is currently 112 acres burning in ponderosa pine forest, and is moving south along Skinner Ridge.

Release Date: Jun 17, 2023 The Ridge and Hull fires, burning in the ponderosa pine forests near Tusayan and the Grand Canyon, are not behaving the way people have come to expect of wildfires in the middle of June. Yet, both lightning-caused fires are burning as they naturally should in this fire-adapted ecosystem: moving slowly but steadily across the forest floor at lower intensity, removing hazardous fuels and promoting healthy vegetation.