Forest Service allows Skinner Fire to burn five miles east of Tusayan
Fire officials want fire to reduce ground fuels on 1,463 acres
TUSAYAN, Ariz. - On July 26, lightning caused a fire on the Tusayan Ranger District in the Skinner Ridge area off Forest Service Road 343, five miles east of Tusayan.
Fire Management Officer Quentin Johnson said the fire is in a location that hasn't been burned, but is largely surrounded by previous wildfire and prescribed fire areas.
Named the Skinner Fire, fire managers have decided to let the fire spread naturally to increase protection ability, reduce ground fuels, like ponderosa pine needles, and return fire to the ecosystem,
"We have a hole in the map that has not seen fire in our recorded history," Johnson said. "This is a great opportunity to return fire where it is ecologically needed and historically accurate."
Forecasted drier weather will support the fire's growth. The fire's intensity is likely to remain low with creeping, smoldering and some backing fire behavior.
Officials have identified 1,463 acres where they will allow the fire to spread.
At this time, the 280-acre fire is spreading naturally with 20-25-acre growing potential each day over the next several days.
Fire managers may choose to ignite road perimeters to protect natural resources and keep firefighters safe.
Smoke effects should be minimal for Tusayan, the Grand Canyon South Rim and surrounding communities.
However, smoke may be seen from Highway 64 as the fire is showing an approximately 400 foot smoke column.
If managed ignitions happen, the smoke column could grow to more than 2,000 feet.
Weather forecasters predict southwest winds at around eight miles per hour.
Additional information is available from Holly Krake, Fire Information Officer, at (928) 635-5653.
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