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Rock Fire on Tusayan Ranger District growing due to dry conditions

Firefighters monitoring the Rock Fire and patrol boundary roads. Photo/USFS

Firefighters monitoring the Rock Fire and patrol boundary roads. Photo/USFS

TUSAYAN, Ariz. - Dry conditions over the last few days have led to increasing activity on a lightning-caused wildfire on the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

The 1,581-acre Rock Fire is growing within boundaries established for it and is being managed for multiple objectives including allowing natural fire to play its role as a disturbance factor in the ecosystem, enhancing wildlife habitat, improving forest health and reducing the potential for future high-intensity wildfires. The Rock Fire was started by lightning July 31. It is located south of the Coconino Rim about 15 miles southeast of the town of Tusayan and is burning at a low-to-moderate level of intensity through an area dominated by ponderosa pine trees.

Fire managers plan to allow the wildfire to take its natural course within predefined boundaries in order to help restore balance across the landscape. Over the last few days, firefighters completed burn out operations along Forest Road 316 in anticipation of the wildfire's growth in that direction. FR 316 serves as the eastern boundary of the planning area within which the Rock Fire will be held.

Firefighters are conducting burn out operations along FR 2762, which serves as the western boundary of the planning area, in advance of the fire's natural spread. This will ensure fire managers are able to keep the Rock Fire within pre-determined perimeters over the next several days as dry conditions in the forecast indicate that the wildfire will be active.

Firefighters also continue to prepare for the fire's likely spread by lining archaeological sites, range fences, trick tanks, and any other potentially fire-sensitive resources near the fire area. This work ensures that as the Rock Fire grows, it will not negatively impact other values in the area.

More information about the Rock Fire is available from the Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311; Text Message - text 'follow kaibabnf' to 40404.


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