News

Williams, Ariz., August 21, 2019—For Immediate Release. Among the many benefits of allowing fire to move naturally on the landscape, the protection of cultural and historic sites remains one of the top priority objectives when managing wildfires. The Boulin Fire is no exception, and Kaibab National Forest archeologists were quick to engage taking actions to protect these sites which included two historic cabins located within the footprint of this fire.

“We know these cabins are vulnerable to deterioration being well over a century old” said Archeologist, Neil Weintraub. “Fire, like many forces of nature that can be destructive, can also be very helpful to use for their protection. With people in place, we can allow low intensity fire to consume accumulations of burnable debris that build up around these sensitive sites, removing the threat, and ultimately preserving our local history for the public to enjoy for generations to come”.

BOULIN FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: August 5, 2019.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: East of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail and forest roads 141, 713, and 730.

Current Size: 3784 acres.

Containment: 50%

Incident Commander: Nick Behrends ICT4 / Tyler Richwine ICT4T.

Resources: One-Type 2 Hand crew, one- Fuels crew, two-Type 6 Engines, two-Type 3 Engines, one-Patrol unit, one-Dozer, and eight- Miscellaneous overhead. Total personnel assigned is 50.

Current Status: The Boulin Fire is now 50% contained and nearing completion.Managers are expecting the fire to reach its full potential for growth at 4200 acres within the next two operational periods.

Heavy equipment traffic and residual smoke remain present at the fire site. Drivers in the area are reminded to be aware that personnel will be on scene for several days ensuring containment lines hold and to begin mop up and rehabilitation work.

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible from communities surrounding this incident however a rapid decrease in production and volume can now be expected as the fire reaches its full potential with no further growth anticipated.
For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Additional information about the Boulin Fire, and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

·         InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6511/

·         Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

·         Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

·         Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 

·         Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311

Firefighters Protecting Historic Cabin Foundation

Bob Blasi  Fire Information Officer • USDA Forest Service • Kaibab National Forest – Williams / Tusayan Ranger Districts p: 928-635-5653  c: 928-606-7491  f: 928-635-5690  bob.blasi@usda.gov 742 S Clover Rd Williams, AZ 86046 www.fs.fed.us  Caring for the land and serving people

Williams, Ariz., August 18, 2019—For Immediate Release. Fire is steadily moving across the forested landscape within the Boulin Fire planning area achieving incident objectives. The results have been effective in reducing accumulations of burnable debris and fuels from the forest floor, protecting valued resources at risk, and strengthening defensible space near residential communities.

BOULIN FIRE OVERVIEW

Start Date: August 5, 2019.

Cause: Lightning.

Location: East of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail and forest roads 141, 713, and 730.

Current Size: 2423 acres.

Containment: 20%

Incident Commander: Nick Behrends ICT4 / Tyler Richwine ICT4T.

Resources: One-Type 2 Hand crew, one- Fuels crew, two-Type 6 Engines, two-Type 3 Engines, one-Patrol unit, one-Dozer, and eight- Miscellaneous overhead. Total personnel assigned is 50.

Current Status: The 2423 acre Boulin Fire has been expanding an average of about 400 acres per day. Fire has now carried through over half of the planning area and is moving toward the southwest containment line. The consistent warm dry weather that has been over the area for the past 10 days is forecasted to continue which will likely align with the pattern of growth that has been occurring this week.

Road maintenance will be ongoing on several roads at the fire location. Increased traffic activity will be noticeable in the vicinity. Graders and large water trucks will be present.  Motorists are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active fire areas.

Smoke: Smoke will continue to be visible from Highway 64, Highway 180, and many communities Including Williams, Pittman Valley, Garland Prairie, Spring Valley, Parks, Red Lake, Junipine Estates, Pumpkin Center, Bellemont, Fort Valley, and Flagstaff.
For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Additional information about the Boulin Fire, and the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

·         InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6511/

·         Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

·         Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

·         Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab 

·         Fire Information Recorded Phone line: 928-635-8311

Bob Blasi  Fire Information OfficerUSDA Forest ServiceKaibab National Forest – Williams / Tusayan Ranger Districtsp: 928-635-5653  c: 928-606-7491  f: 928-635-5690  bob.blasi@usda.gov742 S Clover Rd Williams, AZ 86046 www.fs.fed.us  Caring for the land and serving people