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HAPPY JACK — Still Fire managers plan to resume firing operations Thursday and Friday along Highway 87 following several days of preparations during scattered showers and higher humidities.
Fire managers plan to use strategic firing operations to increase containment and protect values at risk. The Still Fire is located 4 miles northeast of the Highway 87 and Lake Mary Road junction on the Coconino National Forest’s Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD).
Once firing operations resume, local areas – including Highway 87, the Blue Ridge communities and the Little Springs area – will see heavy smoke impact.
Nearby areas, such as Payson, Pine and Strawberry may see moderate smoke impact as well.
Driving conditions in the fire area may remain hazardous, and possible intermittent closures may be implemented along area roads, including Highway 87, for public safety.
Forest Road (FR) 751 may be closed during firing operations Thursday and Friday, restricting access to C.C. Cragin (formerly Blue Ridge) Reservoir. FR 95 is expected to remain open but may see significant smoke impacts.
Motorists are reminded to check the Arizona Department of Transportation website for information regarding state road closures and to check the Coconino National Forest website for forest road information. Recreationists are asked to refer to the fire area closure order and to abide by all posted signage and barriers.
Containment for the Still Fire is at 62%.
The Still Fire is being managed to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health as guided by Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
Current resources assigned to the Still Fire include one hand crew, seven engines, one dozer, one helicopter and miscellaneous overhead.
Forest visitors are asked to remain cognizant of firefighting operations.
There are no structures threatened by the Still Fire, which was first reported Sept. 14.
Area residents and MRRD visitors can visit InciWeb for updates regarding the Still Fire.
Information about smoke and smoke impact is available at fire.airnow.gov.
For additional information please contact the Still Fire public information team at 2023.still@firenet.gov. |
