Английская Википедия:Boundary Fire (2017)

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The Boundary Fire was a wildfire that burned Шаблон:Cvt 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,Шаблон:Rp but have been increased in number, destructiveness, duration, and frequency by human-induced climate change. The Boundary Fire was one of 2,321 wildfires that burned Шаблон:Cvt in Arizona in 2017. 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. Temperatures in Arizona were higher than usual through the 2017 season;Шаблон:Rp on July 4 the National Weather Service stated that that year's June was the fifth-hottest recorded in the city of Flagstaff. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Flagstaff recorded temperatures of up to Шаблон:Cvt between June 12 and June 27. By August, wildfires had burned the most land since the 2011 season.

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. That fire, the Boundary Fire, grew to Шаблон:Cvt 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 Шаблон:Cvt area around the mountain. Firefighters began creating firebreaks along roads in the area on June 6, especially to the west of the fire. On June 8, high winds fanned the fire over the firebreaks to its north and towards U.S. Route 180 (US 180), Шаблон:Cvt from the fire at that time. US 180 was closed overnight as firefighters monitored the fire's spread, then was remained until further notice along with the vicinity of the fire on June 9. Smoke from the Boundary Fire was visible from the Grand Canyon and drifted into communities such as Flagstaff, Шаблон:Cvt west of the fire.

By June 9, the Boundary Fire had grown to Шаблон:Cvt and was burning along US 180 and within both National Forests. Again fanned by strong winds on June 10 and June 11, the fire swelled to Шаблон:Cvt and was being managed by 261 firefighters. 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. By June 14, the fire had grown to Шаблон:Cvt and was being managed by almost 500 firefighters with aerial firefighting assets. Low wind speeds allowed ground crews and aerial assets to continue with controlled burns from June 15 to June 19, ahead of forecasted high temperatures in the following days. By June 19, the fire had burned Шаблон:Cvt. 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.

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. On June 22, firefighters raised containment of the Boundary Fire to 42 percent despite high winds and temperatures that fanned it to Шаблон:Cvt. The USFS on June 23 stated that it believed the area closed by the fire could expand to Шаблон:Cvt, but made progress in containing its spread. By June 25, the fire had grown to Шаблон:Cvt but was 88 percent contained, and temperatures dipped to Шаблон:Cvt. Aerial firefighting assets were temporarily grounded on June 25 because of a civilian drone flown over the fire. The fire burned out on July 3.Шаблон:Rp

Aftermath

The Boundary Fire burned Шаблон:Cvt over 32 days and cost $9.4 million ($Шаблон:Format price, adjusted for inflation) to suppress.Шаблон:Rp 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.Шаблон:Rp Almost 500 firefighters worked to contain and suppress the Boundary Fire at its height.

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. 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. 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.

See also

• 2017 Arizona wildfires