Flagstaff Business News Fire Update Friday at 5:00
Firefighters responded aggressively to today’s Wild Bill Fire. It has been confined – meaning there is line around the fire and further growth has been stopped – and 50% contained at 26 acres. Crews will continue mopping up and ensure lines hold through the remainder of the day. Fire managers are anticipating full containment by tomorrow afternoon.
The fire generally burned across the forest floor on level terrain in ponderosa pine forest, with some individual torching. Smoke can be expected for the next couple days.
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Crews are on scene of the Wild Bill Fire northwest of Flagstaff today. Multiple resources are responding including a helitanker and air tanker.
At this time, the fire is estimated to be 15 – 20 acres and crews are already making good progress. The public should expect to see smoke from Flagstaff, Bellemont, I-40 and Hwy 180, and they might see aircraft overhead.
As a precaution, forest managers are closing the Lava River Caves and surrounding area; patrols are there notifying visitors.
Date/Time Reported: Friday June 14, approximately 9:30am
Location: NW of Flagstaff off Forest Road 171. Approximately 4 miles west of Hwy 180, 7 miles north of Bellemont (via FR171)
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: Estimated 15-20 acres
Resources: Hotshot crews, engines and dozers, as well as a heavy helicopter and air tanker
HELICOPTERS USING WATER FROM KAIBAB LAKE – ANGLERS BE AWARE
WILLIAMS, AZ – Type 1 helicopter crews will be intermittently dipping water from Kaibab Lake in support of suppression efforts of the Wild Bill Fire on the Coconino National Forest beginning June 14th, 2013.
Fire Management staff on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are urging anglers and day users of Kaibab Lake to use caution over the next several days as the helicopter dip tank will require the back half of the lake for safe dipping operations. Recreation users are cautioned to maintain a minimum ‘safety circle’ of 300 feet distance from the helicopter at all times.
Kaibab Lake, which is located about 4 miles northeast of Williams off of state Route 64, remains open for use. However, recreation users are encouraged to use other nearby lakes for activities including fishing and boating.
Dogtown Lake Campground is located about 6.5 miles southeast of Williams, and detailed information can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/dogtown_lake. White Horse Lake Campground is located about 19 miles southeast of Williams, and detailed information can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/kaibab/white_horse.
There are also several recreational lakes in the Williams area that are not associated with campgrounds that are also stocked with fish. Information on these lakes is available through the Arizona Game and Fish Department at www.azgfd.gov/h_f/where_fish_north.shtml.
For additional information, please call Holly Krake, Fire Information Officer, 928-635-5653