Fire officials reinstate closures after Cat Fire kicks back up

Photo of Cat Fire taken from the overlook at the end of Forest Road 610, Sept. 15, 2018 | Photo courtesy of North Zone Fire Organization, St. George News

FREDONIA, Ariz. Warm and dry conditions punctuated by periods of high winds in early September have resulted in increased activity on the Cat Fire, which is burning approximately 25 miles southeast of Jacob Lake in the Saddle Mountain wilderness.

As a result, fire officials re-implemented area, trail and road closures starting Wednesday for both public safety and the safety of firefighting personnel working in the area.

Mike Uebel, Cat Fire-Stina Fire Incident Commander, released a statement when the Cat Fire originally started saying that people ignoring closures causes distractions to firefighters that are “counterproductive.”

“I can’t stress enough the importance to our forest visitors to be aware of your surroundings and adhere to fire closures,” Uebel said in August. “These closures are in place not only to protect the public, but also to allow firefighters to do their jobs. Fighting fires in this terrain requires an intimate knowledge of the landscape – distractions from people ignoring fire closures is counterproductive to accomplishing that mission.”

In addition to closures, fire managers have ordered additional ground crews to assist with fireline construction ahead of the fire. According to the InciWeb report, the Cat Fire, which originally started by lightning Aug. 6, has burned just under 4,500 acres and remains at 0 percent containment.

Containment figures are calculated based on a fire’s interaction with constructed or natural fireline. Since the Cat Fire has not burned up to the constructed or natural firelines, no official containment has been reached; however, the fire remains within the initial planning area set by fire managers.

The Cat Fire is also exhibiting increased smoke activity. For more information on local air quality resources, click here.

The following closures are effective immediately. Once it is determined safe to do so, the order will be rescinded by the Kaibab National Forest supervisor.

Map of Cat Fire closures courtesy of InciWeb, St. George News | Click to enlarge

Area closures

The Restricted Area is depicted on the included map, and includes the boundary roads and trails described as beginning at the junction of Forest Road (FR) 610 and the Arizona Trail #101, then north to the junction with the Arizona Trail #101 and North Canyon Trail #4, then proceeding east on the North Canyon Trail #4 to FR 631 continuing to FR 8910 Junction. Then south on the FR8910 to South Canyon #6/ Nankoweap Trail #57, then going west on the South Canyon #6/Nankoweap Trail #57 to FR610 continuing west on FR610 to the Junction of FR 610 and the Arizona Trail #101.

Trail closures

All trails described above and depicted on the included map and within the Restricted Area, and the Point Imperial Trail (NPS Trail) from the National Forest boundary to FR 610; along the North Canyon Trail #4; along the South Canyon Trail #6; and along the Nankoweap Trail #57.

Road closures 

All forest roads described above and depicted on the map, which are identified as the area perimeter; the area within the perimeter boundary is closed.

Resources

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1 Comment

  • Striker4 September 20, 2018 at 4:56 am

    Wow I was trolling St George news at 4:56 am ! and found this article. Golly gee whiz I sure hope they get that fire out ! …

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