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==Fire==
==Fire==
At about 2:02&nbsp;pm ([[Mountain Time Zone|MT]]) on June 1, 2017, lightning struck and started a fire on the northeast slope of [[Kendrick Peak]], within the [[Coconino National Forest]].<ref name=inciweb1/> That fire, the Boundary Fire, grew to {{cvt|380|acre}} by June&nbsp;6. Owing to the danger posed to firefighters by difficult terrain and leftover dead trees from the [[Pumpkin Fire (2000)|Pumpkin Fire]] in 2000, the [[United States Forest Service]] (USFS) decided to confine the Boundary Fire to a {{cvt|15,000|acre|adj=on}} area around the mountain. Firefighters began creating [[firebreak]]s along roads in the area on June&nbsp;6, especially to the west of the fire.<ref name=usfs1/><ref name=ads1/> On June&nbsp;8, high winds fanned the fire over the firebreaks to its north and towards [[U.S. Route 180]] (US&nbsp;180), {{cvt|2|mi}} from the fire at that time.<ref name=usfs2/><ref name=ads2/><ref name=wgcn1/> US&nbsp;180 was closed overnight as firefighters monitored the fire's spread,<ref name=ads2/> then was remained until further notice along with the vicinity of the fire on June&nbsp;9.<ref name=ads3/><ref name=apn2/> Smoke from the Boundary Fire was visible from the [[Grand Canyon]] and drifted into communities such as Flagstaff, {{cvt|17|mi}} west of the fire.<ref name=ads3/><ref name=nho1/><ref name=ads6/>
At about 2:02&nbsp;pm ([[Mountain Time Zone|MT]]) on June 1, 2017, lightning struck and started a fire on the northeast slope of [[Kendrick Peak]], within the [[Coconino National Forest]].<ref name=inciweb1/> That fire, the Boundary Fire, grew to {{cvt|380|acre}} by June&nbsp;6. Owing to the danger posed to firefighters by difficult terrain and leftover dead trees from the [[Pumpkin Fire (2000)|Pumpkin Fire]] in 2000, the [[United States Forest Service]] (USFS) decided to confine the Boundary Fire to a {{cvt|15,000|acre|adj=on}} area around the mountain. Firefighters began creating [[firebreak]]s along roads in the area on June&nbsp;6, especially to the west of the fire.<ref name=usfs1/><ref name=ads1/> On June&nbsp;8, high winds fanned the fire over the firebreaks to its north and towards [[U.S. Route 180]] (US&nbsp;180), {{cvt|2|mi}} from the fire at that time.<ref name=usfs2/><ref name=ads2/><ref name=wgcn1/> US&nbsp;180 was closed overnight as firefighters monitored the fire's spread,<ref name=ads2/> then was remained until further notice along with the vicinity of the fire on June&nbsp;9.<ref name=ads3/><ref name=apn2/> Smoke from the Boundary Fire was visible from the [[Grand Canyon]] and drifted into communities such as Flagstaff, {{cvt|17|mi}} west of the fire.<ref name=ads3/><ref name=nho1/><ref name=ads6/>


By June&nbsp;9, the Boundary Fire had grown to {{cvt|1550|acre}} and was burning along US&nbsp;180 and within the Coconino and [[Kaibab National Forest]]s.<ref name=ads3/> Again fanned by strong winds on June&nbsp;10 and June&nbsp;11, the fire swelled to {{cvt|4,420|acre}} and was being managed by 261 firefighters.<ref name=ads4/><ref name=usfs3/><ref name=usfs4/> After June&nbsp;12, the winds abated and the USFS began to use aerial ignition to spread the fire uphill more quickly, thereby reducing soil burn severity.<ref name=usfs5/> By June&nbsp;14, the fire had grown to {{cvt|5,784|acre}} and was being managed by almost 500 firefighters with [[aerial firefighting]] assets.<ref name=usfs5/><ref name=ads5/> Low wind speeds allowed ground crews and aerial assets to continue with controlled burns from June&nbsp;15 to June&nbsp;19,<ref name=usfs6/><ref name=usfs7/><ref name=usfs8/><ref name=usfs9/> ahead of forecasted high temperatures in the following days. By June&nbsp;19, the fire had burned {{cvt|8,067|acre}}.<ref name=usfs10/> The next day brought light precipitation, cloud cover, and a higher humidity that allowed firefighters to block 30 percent of the fire's possible spread.<ref name=usfs11/>
By June&nbsp;9, the Boundary Fire had grown to {{cvt|1550|acre}} and was burning along US&nbsp;180 and within the Coconino and [[Kaibab National Forest]]s.<ref name=ads3/> Again fanned by strong winds on June&nbsp;10 and June&nbsp;11, the fire swelled to {{cvt|4,420|acre}} and was being managed by 261 firefighters.<ref name=ads4/><ref name=usfs3/><ref name=usfs4/> After June&nbsp;12, the winds abated and the USFS began to use aerial ignition to spread the fire uphill more quickly, thereby reducing soil burn severity.<ref name=usfs5/> By June&nbsp;14, the fire had grown to {{cvt|5,784|acre}} and was being managed by almost 500 firefighters with [[aerial firefighting]] assets.<ref name=usfs5/><ref name=ads5/> Low wind speeds allowed ground crews and aerial assets to continue with controlled burns from June&nbsp;15 to June&nbsp;19,<ref name=usfs6/><ref name=usfs7/><ref name=usfs8/><ref name=usfs9/> ahead of forecasted high temperatures in the following days. By June&nbsp;19, the fire had burned {{cvt|8,067|acre}}.<ref name=usfs10/> The next day brought light precipitation, cloud cover, and a higher humidity that allowed firefighters to block 30 percent of the fire's possible spread.<ref name=usfs11/>

Revision as of 05:00, 6 February 2024

For the 2018 fire in Montana, see Boundary Fire.

Boundary Fire
A firefighter silhouetted against the red glow of the Boundary Fire as it burns in the Kaibab National Forest, June 17, 2017
Firefighter watching the Boundary Fire, June 17, 2017
Date(s)June 1 – July 3, 2017
LocationCoconino and Kaibab National Forests, Arizona, United States
Coordinates35°25′55″N 111°49′52″W / 35.432°N 111.831°W / 35.432; -111.831
Statistics
Burned area17,788 acres (71.99 km2; 27.794 sq mi)
Impacts
Damage$9.4 million
Ignition
CauseLightning
Map
Boundary Fire (2017) is located in Arizona
Boundary Fire (2017)
Boundary Fire (2017) is located in the United States
Boundary Fire (2017)

The Boundary Fire was a wildfire that burned 17,788 acres (7,199 ha) of the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests in Arizona. The fire was ignited on June 1 when lightning struck a spot on the northeast side of Kendrick Peak within the Coconino National Forest. The fire spread rapidly for much of its duration because of high temperatures, steep terrain, leftovers from a previous wildfire, and high wind speeds. These same winds blew smoke over local communities and infrastructure; U.S. Route 180 was closed from June 8 to June 21. Smoke from was visible from the Grand Canyon. The Boundary Fire burned out on July 3, 2017.

Background

Wildfires are a natural part of the ecological cycle of the Southwestern United States.[1]: 3–6  The Boundary Fire was one of 2,321 wildfires that burned 429,564 acres (173,838 ha) in Arizona in 2017.[2] Arizona State Forester Jeff Whitney expected a typical season in the state's northern forests but one with high fire potential in the state's southern grasslands because of high temperatures, low humidity, and an abundance of fuels.[3] Temperatures in Arizona were higher than usual through the 2017 season;[4]: 1  on July 4 the National Weather Service stated that that year's June was the fifth-hottest recorded in the city of Flagstaff.[5] According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Flagstaff recorded temperatures of up to 120 °F (49 °C) between June 12 and June 27.[6] By August, wildfires had burned the most land since the 2011 season.[7]

Fire

At about 2:02 pm (MT) on June 1, 2017, lightning struck and started a fire on the northeast slope of Kendrick Peak, within the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests.[8] That fire, the Boundary Fire, grew to 380 acres (150 ha) by June 6. Owing to the danger posed to firefighters by difficult terrain and leftover dead trees from the Pumpkin Fire in 2000, the United States Forest Service (USFS) decided to confine the Boundary Fire to a 15,000-acre (6,100 ha) area around the mountain. Firefighters began creating firebreaks along roads in the area on June 6, especially to the west of the fire.[9][10] On June 8, high winds fanned the fire over the firebreaks to its north and towards U.S. Route 180 (US 180), 2 mi (3.2 km) from the fire at that time.[11][12][13] US 180 was closed overnight as firefighters monitored the fire's spread,[12] then was remained until further notice along with the vicinity of the fire on June 9.[14][15] Smoke from the Boundary Fire was visible from the Grand Canyon and drifted into communities such as Flagstaff, 17 mi (27 km) west of the fire.[14][16][17]

By June 9, the Boundary Fire had grown to 1,550 acres (630 ha) and was burning along US 180 and within the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.[14] Again fanned by strong winds on June 10 and June 11, the fire swelled to 4,420 acres (1,790 ha) and was being managed by 261 firefighters.[18][19][20] After June 12, the winds abated and the USFS began to use aerial ignition to spread the fire uphill more quickly, thereby reducing soil burn severity.[21] By June 14, the fire had grown to 5,784 acres (2,341 ha) and was being managed by almost 500 firefighters with aerial firefighting assets.[21][22] Low wind speeds allowed ground crews and aerial assets to continue with controlled burns from June 15 to June 19,[23][24][25][26] ahead of forecasted high temperatures in the following days. By June 19, the fire had burned 8,067 acres (3,265 ha).[27] The next day brought light precipitation, cloud cover, and a higher humidity that allowed firefighters to block 30 percent of the fire's possible spread.[28]

Visibility along US 180 had improved enough by June 21 to allow the Arizona Department of Transportation to reopen the road to the public with reduced speed limits.[29] On June 22, firefighters raised containment of the Boundary Fire to 42 percent despite high winds and temperatures that fanned it to 11,540 acres (4,670 ha).[30] The USFS on June 23 stated that it believed the area closed by the fire could expand to 18,000 acres (7,300 ha),[31] but made progress in containing its spread.[32][33] By June 25, the fire had grown to 17,049 acres (6,899 ha) but was 88 percent contained,[34] and temperatures dipped to 88 °F (31 °C).[35] Aerial firefighting assets were temporarily grounded on June 25 because of a civilian drone flown over the fire.[36] The fire burned out on July 3.[4]: 14 

Aftermath

The Boundary Fire burned 17,788 acres (7,199 ha) over 32 days and cost $9.4 million ($11.7 million, adjusted for inflation) to suppress.[4]: 14 [8] Of the total area burned, three percent suffered total foliage mortality. No structures were damaged or destroyed. Four evacuated civilians suffered injuries related to the fire.[4]: 14–15  Almost 500 firefighters worked to contain and suppress the Boundary Fire at its height.[37]

Environmental consequences

Trails on Kendrick Peak did not reopen until September 14, 2017, because of the potential for landslides caused by heavy rains brought by the North American monsoon.[38] Kaibab National Forest Supervisor said in a statement that the closure was prolonged to "allow the landscape to stabilize during the immediate post-fire period", particularly with the added monsoon conditions.[39] Forest Road 149, near Kendrick Peak, was closed July 2018 again because of the potential for landslides, as foliage growth after the Boundary Fire had been slow in that area.[40]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boundary Fire 2017.

References

  1. ^ Pyne, Stephen J. (2016). The Southwest: A Fire Survey. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 978-0-8165-3448-7.
  2. ^ "National Report of Wildland Fires and Acres Burned by State" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 28, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  3. ^ Jeong, Yihyun (April 11, 2017). "What to expect for Arizona's 2017 wildfire season". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Lynch, Michael; Evans, Alexander (May 2018). "2017 Wildfire Season: An Overview" (PDF). Southwestern United States. Northern Arizona University. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  5. ^ Vanek, Corina; Adams-Ockrassa, Suzanne (July 4, 2017). "June was fifth-hottest, monsoon to begin this week". Arizona Daily Star. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Christ, Cara (April 13, 2018). "Stakeholders Gather for Arizona Extreme Heat Planning Workshop". Arizona Department of Health Services. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Ziegler, Zachary (August 31, 2017). "Looking Back on Fire Season in Arizona, and Places Touched by the Flames". Arizona Public Media. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Boundary Fire". InciWeb. United States Forest Service. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Type III Incident Management Team takes command of wildfire located on Kendrick Mountain northwest of Flagstaff". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 6, 2017. Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  10. ^ Cowan, Emery (June 6, 2017). "9:30 a.m. update: Type III team assigned to Kendrick Mountain fire". Arizona Daily Sun. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Increased Winds Cause Significant Growth on Boundary Fire; Highway 180 to Close Temporarily Due to Potential Smoke Impacts". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 8, 2017. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "3:45 p.m. Kendrick fire jumps containment lines; Highway 180 to be closed for smoke". Arizona Daily Sun. June 8, 2017. Archived from the original on June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  13. ^ "8 a.m. update: Kendrick fire jumps northern containment line, Highway 180 remains closed". Williams-Grand Canyon News. June 8, 2017. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Cowan, Emery (June 9, 2017). "Kendrick Mountain fire triples in size, Highway 180 to remain closed". Arizona Daily Sun. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  15. ^ "U.S. Highway 180 to Grand Canyon Closes as Boundary Fire Spreads". Arizona Public Media. Associated Press. June 9, 2017. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  16. ^ McKenney, Loretta (July 11, 2017). "Northern Arizona air quality in question after smoky wildfire season". Navajo-Hopi Observer. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  17. ^ "Doney Park meeting tonight to discuss Kendrick fire, smoke". Arizona Daily Sun. June 15, 2017. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Cowan, Emery (June 10, 2017). "Saturday afternoon update: Type 2 team takes over Kendrick Mountain fire, grows to 3,800 acres". Arizona Daily Sun. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  19. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Type II Incident Management Team Takes Command of the Boundary Fire". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 10, 2017. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  20. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Wind-Driven Fire Growth on the Boundary Fire". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 11, 2017. Archived from the original on June 18, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Aerial Ignition Operations Begin on Kendrick Mountain". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 14, 2017. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  22. ^ Cowan, Emery (June 14, 2017). "3 p.m. Wednesday update: Boundary fire smoke drifting toward Flagstaff". Arizona Daily Sun. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  23. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Calm winds allow continued air operations". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 15, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  24. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Increased Smoke Production Expected While Crews Make Progress on the Boundary Fire". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 16, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  25. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Timing is everything". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 17, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  26. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): More Smoke in the Air". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 18, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  27. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Increased Smoke Production Expected While Crews Make Progress on the Boundary Fire". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 19, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  28. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Firefighters Make a Big Stride in Boundary Fire Containment". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 20, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  29. ^ "US 180 reopens after smoke conditions improve". Arizona Daily Sun. June 21, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  30. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Suppression Repair Needs Assessed". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 22, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  31. ^ "Boundary Fire update". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 23, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  32. ^ "Boundary Fire (Kendrick Mountain): Containment increases, Flagstaff gets a break from heavy smoke". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 24, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  33. ^ "Unhealthy air for sensitive groups on tap Saturday in Flagstaff region". Arizona Daily Sun. June 24, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  34. ^ "Boundary Fire update". Coconino National Forest. United States Forest Service. June 25, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  35. ^ Vanek, Corina (June 25, 2017). "Streak of 90-degree days in Flagstaff snapped". Arizona Daily Sun. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  36. ^ Marsh, Adrian (June 25, 2017). "Drones continue to cause problems for wildfire crews". The Arizona Republic. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  37. ^ Cowen, Emery (July 16, 2017). "What's behind the Kendrick Mountain fire's $9.4 million price tag?". Arizona Daily Sun. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  38. ^ "Kendrick Mountain trails reopened". Arizona Daily Sun. September 15, 2017. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  39. ^ "Forest Service reopens Kendrick Mountain". Williams-Grand Canyon News. September 19, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  40. ^ "Forest Road 149 closed due to risk of flooding". Arizona Daily Sun. July 18, 2018. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
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