Fire Crews Continue Work On The Newman Fire Near Upper Lake Mary

Fire managing efforts are going well on the Newman Fire burning south of Flagstaff. The fire has burned over 888 acres about three miles south of Upper Lake Mary. Fire managers have temporarily closed some areas of the fire zone to the public. Also the Narrows day-use area and Lakeview Campground have also been closed temporarily due to expected heavy smoke impacts. Smoke will be visible in the surrounding areas of Lake Mary through Thursday. Fire managers have mapped out an area where the fire could burn more than 22-thousand acres and clear a lot of dead wood and underbrush. Officials say allowing the fire to burn within the area, will create buffers that could help protect homes and vital infrastructure from possible future severe wildfires.