Flagstaff, AZ – The U.S. Forest Service is seeking information concerning the person or persons responsible for causing the Schultz Fire, which has cost nearly $3 million in suppression costs.
The Forest Service is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
The Schultz fire was caused by a campfire that was abandoned without being properly extinguished in the area of Schultz Tank, Little Elden Trail, and Forest Road 420.
The fire has spread to 14,800 acres and is currently 40% contained. The expected containment date is July 2. The 3800-acre Eagle Rock fire is considered 90% contained and poses no threat to visitors to Williams. Highway 89 through Flagstaff and 64 are apparently still open.
Please call the Schultz Fire Investigations hotline at (928) 527-3508 if you have any information.
A lone helicopter flies over the plum of smoke rising from the Schultz fire.
The 14,000 acre Schultz fire started by a reckless camper is 20% contained according to the Coconino National Forest service. Fire restrictions for the Coconino, Kaibab and Prescott National Forest went into effect today. That means no camp fires or smoking outside of developed camp areas. Gas cooking stoves are recommended. Highway 89 is open in both directions with expected delays. Highway 64 from Williams to the Grand Canyon is unaffected. The Red Cross set up an evacuation center at Mount Elden Middle School at 3233 N. Fourth Street. The gusty wind conditions have subsided, today, which might help firefighters combat the blaze.
The fire has not affect on the Williams Area.
Today crews focused on constructing line along the southern heel and southwest edge of the fire with the aid of helicopters, following the fire’s edge directly when possible and going indirect as terrain and fire activity dictated. Line construction also continued on the northeastern edge of the fire with the use of dozers, hand crews and air tankers, which reinforced the line with retardant drops. Tonight crews may perform burnout operations on indirect portions of line as conditions allow. Read the rest of this entry »
WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Officials with the Coconino, Kaibab, and Prescott National Forests will implement fire restrictions on Wednesday, June 23 across the three forests. Due to high fire danger, these restrictions are deemed necessary to protect public health and safety and prevent human-caused wildfires.
The restrictions will prohibit fires, campfires, charcoal, coal or wood stoves outside of developed campgrounds and limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles or buildings or in developed campgrounds. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters meeting safety specifications will continue to be allowed. Read the rest of this entry »
WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Kaibab National Forest fire crews are working the 1,000 acre Eagle Rock fire, 11 miles northeast of Williams and east of Sitgreaves Mountain. The Eagle Rock Fire was detected by the Kendrick Mountain lookout this morning. Close to 50 residences in the Spring Valley area have been evacuated. The cause is unknown. The high winds and low relative humidities are making fire suppression activities difficult.
There are approximately 250 fire personnel on-scene and they will be working the fire through the night. Some progress has been made early this evening on the spot fires on the east side of County Road 141. Resources continue to arrive and the Northern Arizona Type-2 Incident Management Team will be managing the fire suppression activities.
Most people have seen the desert images of Arizona on television quite a lot lately. That leads many to think of hot, sandy desert and cactus terrain when they think of the State. They do not think of the higher and cooler northern Arizona climates which have not changed. There are six forests in Arizona:
1. Apache-Sitgreaves – East-Central Arizona
2 million acres, 450 miles of rivers & streams. The Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests are managed as one national forest.
2. Coconino – North-Central Arizona
1.8 million acres, elevations to 12,643 feet,the highest peak in the state. Includes Oak Creek Canyon in the Sedona area.
3. Coronado – Southern Arizona
1.7 million acres, elevations from 3,000 to 10,000 feet, 8 wilderness areas
4. Kaibab – North-Western Arizona
1.6 million acres, elevations from 5,500 to 10,418 feet, 4 wilderness areas
5. Prescott – Central Arizona
.25 million acres, 8 wilderness area
6. Tonto – Central Arizona
3 million acres, elevations from 1,300 to 8,000 feet, 8 wilderness areas. One of the Nation’s top 10 visited forests
And please remember that we just opened up a great new drive-thru park, Bearizona, stocked with wildlife for your viewing. Help us keep them safe!
Even in some desert areas a fire can sweep through dry brush with a devastating effect on wildlife and environment.
We remind you while visiting our Great State to use your ashtray inside your vehicle. DO NOT FLICK LIT CIGARETTES OUT OF YOUR CAR WINDOW!Do not smoke while hiking or outside undeveloped camp sites. Use an ashtray when you fish. Remember, it is illegal to throw any litter out of your window in Arizona. Lit cigarette butts, however, draw a heavy fine.
September 9, 2010 1920 Michael Aldridge 1941 Otis Reading 1949 John Curry 1925 Cliff Robertson 1931 Margaret Tyzack 1933 Chaim Topol 1951 Michael Keaton 1952 Dave Stewart 1960 Hugh Grant
Today crews focused on constructing line along the southern heel and southwest edge of the fire with the aid of helicopters, following the fire’s edge directly when possible and going indirect as terrain and fire activity dictated. Line construction also continued on the northeastern edge of the fire with the use of dozers, hand crews and air tankers, which reinforced the line with retardant drops. Tonight crews may perform burnout operations on indirect portions of line as conditions allow.
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