Firefighters are being cautious in calling the August Fire contained, but as of Friday, Nov. 9, expected to have it 100 percent  contained by Sunday, Nov. 11. 

“Forecasted winds along with drought conditions and remaining hot spots in the interior could cause additional spot fires outside of the control line, PNF spokeswoman Debbie Maneely said in a press release. “Firefighters will continue to patrol and mop-up 200 feet inside the exiting control line through the weekend.”

Maneely said PNF would not issue another report on the August Fire until Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The human caused fire, which started on Oct. 30 and is still under investigation, burned approximately 630 acres of forest 10 miles south of Prescott. Beetle-killed pine trees were the major fuel for the fire.

Officials reopened Forest Road 52 (Senator Highway) and Forest Road 52B Friday, November 9 at 5pm. Forest Road 70 will remain closed until further notice. 

The City of Prescott reopened Goldwater Lake Friday, November 9.

The Prescott National Forest will conduct the Goat prescribed burn south of  Mingus Mountain Wednesday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Nov. 16,  weather conditions permitting.

The 2,300-acre Goat Burn is west of Goat Peaks and approximately two miles east of Kendall Peak.  Forest Road 132 will be closed from Powell Springs to Kendall Peak. Emphasis is to burn Ponderosa pine and chaparral between Ash Creek and Forest Road 132.

Prescribed burns help remove dead fuel on the forest floor, invigorate the plant and animal communities, promote a healthy watershed and help return fire to its natural role in the ecosystem.   These burns are part of the Prescott National Forest’s ongoing fuels reduction project to help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

For current information on prescribed burns visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott  or call the Prescott National Forest fire information line at 928-777-5799.