WunderPhotos®

I see you are a long way from home and enjoying a radical change in climate.

Good capture Joe but who is looking out for Hoppy while you're having fun in the sun???

Joe, impressive photo. This fire was a prescribed burn intended to prevent future wildfires from getting our of hand during the hotter summer months. The press release issued from the NFS:

Kaibab National Forest fire managers are requesting approval to implement the City Southeast Prescribed Fire, three miles southeast of Williams, starting Monday, Oct. 29. This prescribed fire was previously scheduled for this week but managers canceled it due to unfavorable conditions.

If appropriate conditions exist and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality approves the request, crews plan to blackline up to 500 acres over the course of four days along the north and east boundaries of the unit. These efforts will establish and reinforce containment lines for a broadcast burn on the project at a later date.

The forecast shows mostly clear conditions with light winds next week. Smoke will be visible in Williams and along portions of I-40 and County Road 73. Managers expect smoke to drift toward Garland Prairie during the day and down Sycamore Canyon at night. Forest officials recommend that visitors avoid camping and hunting near the prescribed burn area.

Crews will implement, monitor, and patrol the burn to ensure it meets the goals and objectives outlined in the prescribed fire plan. Prescribed burns are used to improve forest health, reduce hazardous fuels, and return fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem.

For additional information, please call Punky Moore, Fire Information Officer, 928-635-5653.

Prescribed Fire Planned South of Williams news release, Oct. 26, 2012