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McRae fire near Tusayan reaches 2,500 acres

A firefighter manages the McRae fire 5 miles outside of Tusayan. USFS/Holly Krakee

A firefighter manages the McRae fire 5 miles outside of Tusayan. USFS/Holly Krakee

TUSAYAN, Ariz. - Lightning caused fires started a couple weeks ago with the return of monsoons to northern Arizona. On the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts, fire managers are taking advantage of good conditions to allow some of these natural fires to benefit the forest and surrounding communities.

While varying monsoonal precipitation and winds are likely to change fire behavior and growth over the next several days, general fire behavior is anticipated to be low to moderate intensity.

Tusayan Ranger District: Currently 2500 acres in size, the McRae Fire is located approximately five miles southeast of Tusayan. Crews planned more managed ignitions as needed within the planning area. Smoke may become highly visible from Highway 64.

North Kaibab Ranger District: Currently 80 acres in size, the Quaking Fire is located approximately 40 miles southeast of Fredonia. On July 21, crews planned managed ignitions as needed along Forest Service Road 271. No smoke effects are anticipated at this time.

Williams Ranger District: Currently 1,700 acres in size, the Sitgreaves Complex is located approximately five miles northwest of Parks. On July 21, fire managers combined the Duck and Sitgreaves Fires into the Sitgreaves Complex. A 'complex' is generally formed when two or more fires are managed within one planning area. Variable winds, precipitation, and management tactics can change the amount of smoke produced each day. Crews are reporting good consumption of fuels throughout the burn area helping to prevent future catastrophic wildfires. Smoke is highly visible from I-40. A community meeting for the greater Parks area is scheduled for July 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Maine School gymnasium.


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