Springerville, AZ, December 13, 2017 – For Immediate Release. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Lakeside Ranger District will be conducting a 442 acre prescribed burn within the Sepulveda unit of the Los Burros broadcast burn area beginning on 12/14 and continuing through 12/15 if weather conditions allow.
The Sepulveda Unit is about five miles south of Vernon, along Forest Service Road (FSR) 96, and is surrounded by FSR 6, FSR 6H and FSR 96B.
Ignition may last several days, with daily smoke impact anticipated within area drainages. Smoke will be visible in the local area, from Arizona State Highway 260, and U.S. Highway 60, in Round Valley, Vernon and Show Low. In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the prescribed fire burn units as firefighters and fire-related traffic may be in the area.
The Sepulveda unit has received some forest thinning within the past three to eight years, and this prescribed burn continues the restoration treatment that is needed. It provides for habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil and encourages new growth for a variety of plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning removes hazardous fuels and reduces the threat of large-scale wildfires, providing improved protection for the community of Vernon from wildfires that may start southeast of town. Crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.
Air quality considerations are an integral part of prescribed fire, and it is the goal of forest managers to minimize smoke impacts to our communities while still accomplishing forest health and fuels reduction goals. Arizona residents can view air quality across the state using the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Portable Particulate Monitors.
For questions or concerns please contact the Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100, or call the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System at 928-333-3412.