Brins Fire

The status as of 6 p.m. yesterday, the Brins Fire showed little growth. A large smoke column formed mid-afternoon on the west side of the fire as a result of interior fuels being consumed. There was little movement of the fire towards Highway 89A, however; several structures in Oak Creek Canyon continue to be threatened. The fire has crossed Sterling Canyon & is expected to continue spreading in a northerly direction. This is an area of concern. Residents & visitors in the Sedona area can expect to experience smoke in the area, especially during the early morning hours due to downslope winds. The A.D.E.Q. is monitoring air quality on a daily basis. Residents with respiratory problems are advised to adjust their daily schedules due to the smoke. Evacuation centers managed by the Red Cross are available for people with respiratory problems. Containment is estimated at 7%. A projected 6 miles of line currently need to be built. 2,456 acres have burned so far. Effective as of 5 p.m. yesterday, evacuation orders were lifted for the North end of Soldiers Pass Road (everything north of Casa Contenta) & upper part of Jordan Road (everything north of Navahopi), allowing area residents to return to their homes.

The evacuation order for the following communities continues:
1. Oak Creek Canyon from Midgely Bridge to the fish hatchery in Sterling Canyon (this includes homes, businesses & Forest Service campgrounds).
2. Residents are being escorted in & out by the Coconino Sheriff’s Office on a limited basis to retrieve essential items such as personal medications.

Two evacuations centers are available:
Big Park Community School (For people evacuating south of Slide Rock)
25 W. Saddle Horn Road
Village of Oak Creek
Sedona, Ariz.

NAU Field House
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Ariz.
Corner of Knoles Drive & McCreary, next to the University Union

U.S. Highway 89A is closed through Oak Creek Canyon. The closure will be re-evaluated on a daily basis. The Coconino National Forest will close to public access & use effective starting tomorrow morning, at 8 a.m. due to the increasing fire danger across the Southwest. Conditions have warranted closure of the entire national forest. Closures in the past have proven to be an effective means of reducing the number of human-caused fires.

Included in the Coconino NF closures:

* All campgrounds, day use picnic areas & cabins on the forest.
* All trails on the Coconino National Forest.
* All lakes, including Lake Mary, Ashurst Lake, Kinnikinick Lake, Blue Ridge Reservoir, Stoneman Lake.
* Cinder Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Area north of Flagstaff.
* St. Joseph’s Youth Camp near Mormon Lake.
* Arizona Snowbowl Skyride.
* All National Forest System Roads will be closed, but all interstates, state & county roads through the Coconino National Forest will remain open.

Trail/Road Closures related to Brins Fire (Some of the closures are due to smoke impacts):

* Forest Road 152 off of Dry Creek Road (access road into Vultee Arch) is closed.
* All trails off of Forest Road 152 are closed.
* The North Urban Trails System is closed.
* Kelly Canyon Road west of I-17
* The south end of Woody Mountain Road (Forest Road 231) where it intersects with Forest Road 535
* Forest Road 237 at Kachina Village

Private campgrounds & the campground at Fort Tuthill County Park near Flagstaff will remain open with campfire & smoking restrictions. All Forest Service offices & visitor centers will be open. The closure will be lifted when sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the risk of wildfire to a manageable level, & hot, dry weather conditions are not forecast to continue.

Minimum temperatures on the fire will range from 43-65, with maximum humidities of 20-25%. Downslope/downvalley winds of 3-6 mph are expected after 2100 hrs with occasional gusts to 15 mph in Oak Creek and Sterling Canyons. The extended forecast predicts a high pressure system building over the region bringing above normal temps through Sunday. Relative humidities will remain in the single digits to low teens. The possibility exists for isolated late afternoon dry thunderstorms with gusty winds.