Firefighters on the Rafael Fire southwest of Flagstaff are using tactical burnouts ahead of the fire to build a barrier to the spread to the north and east. The burning operations are being conducted primarily from existing roads and are expected to continue for the next few days as long as weather conditions allow.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Rafael Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.
On Saturday firefighters will continue Friday’s burnout, bringing fire south from the Sycamore Falls Climbing Area to White Horse Lake. They will also begin to back the fire down the slopes into Sycamore Canyon by aerial ignition with helicopters and drones. Fire managers said this activity is designed to minimize fire effects to soils and vegetation on the steep terrain of Sycamore Canyon. Burning operations are expected to continue for the next few days as long as weather conditions allow. Smoke will be more noticeable the next few days due to burnout operations.
With the firing activity taking place 2 to 5 miles north and northeast of the fire, the Rafael Fire is now:
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- 6 miles south of Interstate 40
- 11 miles southwest of Flagstaff
- 7 miles west of Highway 89A, and
- 8 miles northwest of Sedona
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Evacuation information is available on Facebook for Coconino and Yavapai Counties.
On Friday widespread cloud cover and lighter winds reduced active fire movement throughout much of the fire area. But it picked up in the early afternoon in Sycamore Canyon, Hog Hill, and Mooney Canyon.
The Incident Management Team reported Saturday morning the fire had burned 45,899 acres. That number is likely to increase after the overnight mapping is accounted for.
The Rafael Fire now involves the Prescott, Kaibab, and Coconino National Forests and Yavapai and Coconino Counties.
On June 24 the Southwest Area Type 1 Incident Management Team 2 led by Incident Commander Dave Bales assumed command of the fire.
Lots of smoke today (Sunday) from burnout operations.
USFS webcams: https://fts360overwatch.com/event/77/3348
Lots of smoke today (Sunday) from burnout operations.
USFS webcams
https://fts360overwatch.com/event/77/3348
They better hurry up before it rains, or they’ll have a huge mess.
Last nights IR looks like they connected the dots.
I live 10 miles from this fire, but am ignorant to why rain would create a huge mess. Can you explain? Erratic monsoon winds or something else?
If it rains a lot, as with some monsoon storms, and the burnout hasn’t come together with the main fire, then there will basically be two uncontained fires to deal with, making it more difficult to either connect the two fires later, or put line be around them. Sounds like from the other comment, the burnout has come together with the main fire.
Thanks for the explanation. Much appreciated!
What happened to Mr. Carroll’s comment?
Comments that violate our rules are removed.
Thanks, Bill. Agree it was inappropriate to call out a career employee as an arsonist. Was curious if he decided to delete it or if you had to.
I’m praying for all , an in Hope’s that mother nature brings a giant water fall with no lighting. To stop all the fires.