FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Rain helped about 100 wildland firefighters out battling the Snake Ridge Fire Tuesday evening.
The lightning-caused fire started in the Coconino National Forest on May 19. Tuesday afternoon, it was as just more than 8,000 acres, 15 percent contained and fire crews said it was more beneficial than harmful.
The smoke was a little inconvenient for the Verde Valley, but Coconino National Forest spokesperson and firefighter Kaitlyn Webb said the levels weren’t serious.
“They have been in the level that is tolerable, nothing dangerous,” Webb said.
Nature may have caused this fire, but the weather also cooperated, helping burn all the dry vegetation, keeping the flames tame and minimizing later threats.
“Weather, RH, time of year, the fuels aren’t as dry as they could be,” incident commander trainee Jason McElfresh explained.
There were a few close calls because of unexpected winds.
“Nothing that would really endanger our control lines or anything like that,” McElfresh said.
Stagnant air wasn’t necessarily helpful either.
“The smoke isn’t able to lift in the atmosphere. It’s not able to disperse as well as we would like; however, we’re hoping later on this week that we’re going to get some better winds, better ventilation and there’ll be a little less smoke settling in those areas,” Webb said.
At that point, folks in Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and Camp Verde may get better views of their surroundings and better air quality to safely get out and enjoy the sights.
Crews said Tuesday with just the right wind conditions, this fire could be contained by early next week and could be smoldering for a few weeks after that.