SOUTHWESTERN-NEWS-RELEASE: Kaibab National Forest Fire Information

[Sandra J Moore <sjmoore@xxxxxxxxx>]

Beale Fire Grows to 2,670 Acres

WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Beale managers
report the fire has grown to 2,670 acres, 16 miles northeast of Williams.
The lightning-caused wildfire is being managed for resource objectives
within an 8,000-acre boundary southwest of Kendrick Mountain on the Williams
Ranger District. 

Officials say the fire has reached
a management action point (MAP) that will focus operations today on Government
Mountain, south of the fire. MAPs are points identified by fire managers
where certain actions will be taken to slow, stop, or redirect fire spread
within the interior of the designated boundary for the incident. 

Weather permitting, aerial ignitions
will be used to start a backing fire off Government Mountain to prevent
potential rapid upslope runs. In addition, crews will continue to work
with the fire south along Forest Rd. 134 to secure the northeastern edge
of the management area. 

Resources working on the incident
include five engines, one water tender, two crews and one helicopter for
a total of about 58 personnel. 

The Kendrick fire lookout says
smoke traveled west and north of the fire area Wednesday  night with
minimal impacts to Spring Valley. The forecast shows a chance of afternoon
and evening thunderstorms today along with light southwest winds. 

There are no closures associated
with the Beale Fire; however, forest visitors are advised to avoid camping
in or near the management area for the incident. In addition, there are
potential hazards in the fire area including burning stumps, hidden stump
holes and fire weakened trees. Please do not attempt to suppress active
fire within the management area. Maps are posted at several locations around
the management area for reference. 

For additional information, please
call Punky Moore, Fire Information Officer, 928-635-5653 or visit http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2417

-USFS-

Punky Moore
Fire Information Officer
Kaibab National Forest
Williams/Tusayan Ranger Districts
928-635-5653 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

To receive official Forest Service information by e-mail, please subscribe by visiting http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription/

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription

If you wish to make changes to an existing account, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/news/changes.shtml