logo
'An opportunity': Crews near Flagstaff fight Basin Fire with fire

'An opportunity': Crews near Flagstaff fight Basin Fire with fire

Yahoo12-06-2025
Some wildfires are disasters, while others are opportunities.
Officials in northern Arizona used a small wildfire as a tool to burn off excess forest vegetation and prevent more catastrophic fires in the future.
Crews finished the majority of their operations to manage the Basin Fire north of Flagstaff on June 10, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service. Lightning caused the fire on June 5, though flames were limited, consuming only one acre in the next few days, according to federal tracker Inciweb. Since then, crews have actively shepherded and contained the fire so it would burn up excess fuels in surrounding forests.
'When we have lightning strikes that happen at the right time in the right place and when we have the resources available, we will use those lightning strikes as an opportunity to let fire fulfill its natural role in our ponderosa pine ecosystem,' said Randi Shaffer, public information officer for the Northern Arizona Type 3 Incident Management Team which was handling the operations.
Pillars of smoke drifted up from ponderosa forests as the operations got underway on June 8. Crews actively managed the fire to burn 9,145 acres of the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests and reach 42% containment, according to InciWeb. The flames had died down to a smolder by June 11, and crews went back to burn up any excess dead vegetation that the fire hadn't taken care of, officials said.
'We live in a fire-adapted ecosystem up here in northern Arizona, which means that our ponderosa pine trees really love fire. We need fire for myriad reasons," Shaffer said. "Fire is really great for the nitrogen in the soil. It's really great for cleaning up dead and down fuels, and it's a really crucial part of our environment.'
The area around the fire operations along U.S. Route 180 was closed to the public for safety reasons. The closure was expected to remain in effect for several days after June 11, according to Shaffer.
Crews burned buffer zones along perimeters around the fire using 'firing operations,' taking out any fuels the fire could use to spread once it arrived at those buffers.
Shaffer explained that crews use official guidelines to decide when and how to use wildfire as a tool. Fire crews often use 'controlled burns,' or managed fires they start on purpose, to clear out fuels and harden landscapes against future wildfire.
In this case, the crews used a naturally occurring fire to do the same thing. Fire managers ensured that the operations didn't draw resources away from emergencies or other fires where they might be needed.
'If you can burn that stuff out during times of ideal weather, you are lessening the risk of a catastrophic wildfire later in the year,' Shaffer said.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fire crews near Flagstaff use fire to prevent other wildfires
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Wildfires erupt in California as drought conditions expand
Wildfires erupt in California as drought conditions expand

Yahoo

time32 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Wildfires erupt in California as drought conditions expand

LOS ANGELES – Fire season is in full swing across California, with more than a dozen wildfires igniting since Saturday. Most of the blazes are burning in the southern half of the state, where dry conditions are more extensive, allowing fires to quickly get out of hand. Hundreds of firefighters are working to contain wildfires in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, which have even forced evacuations. In Riverside County, the Wolf Fire has exploded in size after first being spotted over the weekend outside of Banning, California. As of Tuesday, according to CAL FIRE, more than 2,400 acres had burned, with containment only around 35%. More than 4,000 structures were considered threatened south of Interstate 10, with the American Red Cross establishing at least one shelter for evacuees. So far, no homes have been reported damaged; however, at least three firefighters have been injured while battling the blaze. The U.S. Forest Service says it is also working to keep the flames out of the San Bernardino National Forest, which encompasses more than 800,000 acres throughout Southern California. Pollution From California Wildfires Killed 52,000 In A Decade, Study Says Further southwest, firefighters have made more progress with the Juniper Fire, which has burned nearly 700 acres but is more than 60% contained. Similar to the Wolf Fire, the blaze started within the past 72 hours, and the cause remains under investigation. Farther north, the Lake Fire in San Bernardino County is the one firefighters are most concerned about. At last check with CAL FIRE, the wildfire had burned nearly 500 acres and was around 50% contained. Some evacuation warnings remained in effect for hillside communities, and nearby recreation zones were off-limits as crews used resources both in the air and on the ground to try to contain the flames. Study Finds Wildfires In Western Us Are Growing Faster, Causing More Damage Around 70% of the state is considered to be unusually dry or suffering from drought conditions, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, and there appears to be no relief in sight as the state enters the driest months of the year. Even though the annual monsoon has begun, most of the precipitation has been on the eastern flank, impacting areas around New Mexico and West Texas, leaving large parts of California and Arizona high and dry. Additionally, tropical moisture, which has led to a record amount of cyclone activity across the eastern Pacific, has remained well south of the Golden State, keeping rain chances near nil at best. Fortunately, authorities have not had to contend with gusty winds or weather patterns such as the Santa Anas, which are most common during the fall, winter, and spring. Long-term outlooks from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center show no widespread relief over the summer months, which means drought conditions will continue to deteriorate, and the threat of wildfires will gradually increase. According to a congressional research report, an annual average of 61,410 wildfires burn some 7.2 million acres every year across the country. Most fires are human-caused, but wildfires sparked by lightning tend to be larger and burn more article source: Wildfires erupt in California as drought conditions expand

California Wolf Fire Map, Update as Huge Blaze Sparks Evacuations
California Wolf Fire Map, Update as Huge Blaze Sparks Evacuations

Newsweek

time3 days ago

  • Newsweek

California Wolf Fire Map, Update as Huge Blaze Sparks Evacuations

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Residents in the path of a wildfire in California have been urged to flee as officials order evacuations across the region. Dubbed the "Wolf" fire, the blaze is burning across some 1,165 acres in Riverside County. Evacuation orders are in place throughout the surrounding areas because of the "immediate threat to life," according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). An archive photo of a U.S. Forest Service firefighter firing flares into the brush to set a backfire near Calimesa, in Riverside County, California, in October 2005. An archive photo of a U.S. Forest Service firefighter firing flares into the brush to set a backfire near Calimesa, in Riverside County, California, in October It Matters In January, California saw wildfires that killed at least two dozen people and left thousands homeless, while thick plumes of toxic smoke blanketed the city. More recently, the Ranch fire and the Henderson fire blazed across hundreds of acres, while the Lake fire erupted around 4 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday at the Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in San Bernardino County and spread to 478 acres over the subsequent five hours. Evacuation orders were issued, but they were later lifted as firefighters managed to contain the flames. What To Know The Wolf fire broke out at 3:09 p.m. on Sunday in the area of Old Banning Idyllwild Road and the Wolfskill Truck Trail south of the city of Banning. Cal Fire described the blaze as a vegetation fire and rated its severity as critical. The fire's cause is still under investigation, according to the agency. Some 300 personnel are fighting the blaze, equipped with four helicopters and 70 fire engines. Evacuation orders are in place, with officials warning: "Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is lawfully closed to public access." The affected area runs north of Poppet Flat Divide Truck Trail, south of Interstate 10, east of Highland Springs Avenue and west of Old Cabazon Road. Besides the evacuation orders, a number of "evacuation warnings" are also in place. According to authorities, residents living in affected areas face a "potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now." Areas covered by evacuation warnings include an area south of Highland Springs Avenue, east of Bergamo Avenue, and west of Highway 243. On Sunday, Cal Fire shared details and updates about the blaze on X, formerly Twitter. In an update about the wildfire posted shortly after 4 p.m., the agency said, "The fire has been mapped at 62 acres and continues to burn at a moderate rate." An update shortly after 6 p.m. said evacuation orders and warnings were in place, while an update at 9 p.m. said the fire remained out of control—with firefighters still working to contain it. According to Cal Fire's incident report, as of 9:46 p.m. on Sunday, the Wolf fire was 0 percent contained. #WolfFIRE [UPDATE 4:09 p.m.] The fire has been mapped at 62 acres and continues to burn at a moderate rate. No evacuations have been ordered. Vegetation Fire: rpt @ 3:06 p.m. Old Banning and Idyllwild Road X Wolfskill Truck Trail, south of Banning. Firefighters are on scene of... — CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) June 29, 2025 What People Are Saying A status update on Cal Fire's website said: "The fire continues to burn at a moderate rate in medium to heavy brush. Four night-flying helicopters and hundreds of firefighters will continue working throughout the night on containing the fire. … Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow." What Happens Next Residents should regularly check their local news reports and follow Cal Fire on its social media feeds for the most up-to-date information on evacuation orders and safety advice. An evacuation shelter is in place at Hemet High School (41701 East Stetson Avenue, Hemet 92544), while an animal evacuation shelter can be found at 581 South Grand Avenue, San Jacinto 92582.

Lightning caused nearly 9,000-acre Forsyth Fire in Utah, officials say
Lightning caused nearly 9,000-acre Forsyth Fire in Utah, officials say

Yahoo

time25-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Lightning caused nearly 9,000-acre Forsyth Fire in Utah, officials say

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah – The Forsyth Fire continues to burn thousands of acres in Utah and was officially started by a lightning strike, officials said. Firefighters have been battling the wildfire since it was discovered on June 19. It has now burned 8,899 acres and is uncontained. The Dixie National Forest division of the U.s. Forest Service announced Tuesday that the fire was caused when lightning hit a tree. During the initial attack on the fire, the incident commander discovered a tree that was hit by lightning near the fire's point of origin in the Pine Valley Wilderness Area. An investigation into the cause showed thunderstorms came through the area June 9 – just 10 days before the fire was discovered. Evaluation of the tree proved that the lightning strike hit the base of the tree, igniting a fire within the tree's trunk. Bolts From The Blue: How Dangerous Lightning Can Strike Miles Away From Thunderstorms The U.S. Forest Service said these types of lightning strikes are so hot, they vaporize any sap and moisture in the tree, starting a very slow smoldering fire that burns from the inside out. Because the fire was contained inside the tree, it went undetected until strong winds Thursday increased fire activity, finally revealing smoke. Which States Have The Most Lightning Insurance Claims? Quickly after discovery, fire crews worked to try and stop the fire spreading. High temperatures, extremely low humidity and high winds caused the fire to make a swift run toward Pine Valley. The Washington County Sheriff reported Monday that 13 homes have been destroyed by the fire. Nearly 700 fire personnel are responding to the Forsyth article source: Lightning caused nearly 9,000-acre Forsyth Fire in Utah, officials say

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store