U.S. Forest Service
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
30 S Chiricahua Drive
Springerville, AZ 85938

Web: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf
Twitter: @A_SNFs
www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs

News Release
Media Contact:
Liza Simmons
928-333-6280
lizaasimmons@fs.fed.us

Black Mesa Ranger District burning slash piles

Heber-Overgaard, AZ –January 23, 2017; —The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Black Mesa Ranger District will be burning 30 acres of slash piles east of the Hilltop Circle K on the south side of State Highway 260 from January 24 – February 3.

The communities of Heber-Overgaard and State Highway 260 may be impacted with smoke. Community members and forest visitors are reminded to use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the pile burn as smoke may reduce visibility in the area.

Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil and encourages new growth for a variety of plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large scale wildfire impacts to private lands. Crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries. Prescribed fire operations are subject to cancelation due to unfavorable weather conditions.

For questions or concerns please contact the Black Mesa Ranger District at (928) 535-7300, or dial 311 to reach the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System. Also, check out our website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/.