WILLIAMS, AZ - A wildfire referred to as the “Cross Fire,” on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has grown to 2,598 acres, according to Kaibab National Forest officials on Tuesday.
The Cross Fire is having a positive effect on the surrounding landscape located 18 miles south-southeast of Williams near Bar Cross Tank, according to Spokeswoman Jacqueline C. Banks.
The fire was started by lightning on June 30 and has been burning through the forest understory and forest debris, which is helping promote forest health and prevent future forest fires that would be more destructive.
To further re-establish the ecological role of the forest fire, fire personnel are continuing to hold “blacklining” operations, meaning that firefighters are burning fuels along pre-established perimeter roads in order to clear out additional undergrowth while limiting the expansion of the fire.
Fire personnel have been using drip torch and helicopter ignition techniques to “blackline” the northwest side of the fire along Forest Road 105 near Tule Tank.
Smoke from the Cross Fire moved into Tule Wash, which is beside Sycamore Canyon, and Kendrick Mountain on Thursday.
Depending on the wind, smoke from the fire could be visible anywhere on Interstate 40 from Williams or Flagstaff to communities south of the fire such as Prescott and Verde Valley.
Officials are claiming to do their best regarding control of smoke from the fire.
"Smoke management is a high priority on this fire," Williams District Ranger Martie Schramm said. "Because the drainages of Sycamore Canyon can filter smoke in many different directions and toward various communities, we have to be especially aware of the impacts we are having."
At this point, there are no closures related to the Cross Fire.
