Multiple fires burning in forests around Grand Canyon
Fire crews are monitoring a series of fires sparked in northern Arizona.
Two lightning-caused fires burning on the Tusayan Ranger District south of the Grand Canyon merged together on Saturday, bringing the total number of acres burned in the area to 2,200.
The Mason and Old fires, which are part of the "Jar Complex" of fires were both being allowed to burn as part of an effort to let the blaze do its natural work, improving wildlife habitat and reducing the potential for future higher-intensity fires, according to a news release from the Kaibab National Forest.
"We expected that the Mason and Old fires would eventually merge," said Josh Miller, assistant fire management officer for the Tusayan Ranger District. "This is not only good for treating accumulated fuels such as pine needles, brush and small trees in the forest, but it's also good for ensuring the safety of our fire crews. Managing one fire in an area is safer so that we never have unburned fuels between an active fire and our firefighters."
Cloud cover and continued monsoonal rains were expected to reduce some of the smoke visible from the fire.
Farther to the northeast, in the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest, the Springs Fire and Key Hole Fire were both burning through pine needles and other debris on the forest floor.
Fire managers were considering letting both fires, which totaled 97 acres as of Sunday, to continue to burn for resource management purposes, similar to the Jar Complex, fire officials said.