A minor fire in the Coconino National Forest is not burning as much excess fuel as previously hoped. The Snake Ridge Fire continued to burn east of Camp Verde on Thursday.
George Jozens, public affairs officer for Coconino National Forest, said the fire has burned just over 2,200 acres.
Firefighters were hoping to use the fire to burn off deadwood in the area which could fuel future wildfires, but Jozens said the original fire area estimate has shrunk.
“Although that we have a 55,000-acre planned area, we don’t think it will get anywhere close to that," Jozens said. "We’d love for it to burn off all that excess fuel, but we don’t think that it will actually make it.”
Jozens recommended tourists headed to the forest for Memorial Day weekend avoid the Happy Jack area, which is still closed for campers due to smoke in the area. He said forest road closures announced Wednesday remain in effect.
Jozens said the fire will burn itself out within the next two weeks.
