Broadcast burning to begin within the Turkey Creek Burn Unit

October 31, 2023
Whiteriver, AZ – The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency Fire Management in coordination with the White Mountain Apache Tribe are planning to conduct prescribed burning within the Turkey Creek Burn Unit on Wednesday, November 1, 2023. If conditions are favorable, active ignitions will continue for several days.

The Turkey Creek burn unit is located about 8 miles southeast of Whiteriver. A total of 2,548 acres are targeted to be treated. This burn unit is burned on a recurring rotation to best mimic the natural fire return interval and restore natural fire intensities. Reducing fuel loading will decrease future wildland fire intensity and severity, lowering the risk of negative impacts to ecosystems and cultural resources that can result from uncharacteristically severe wildfires.

Prescribed burning activity is dependent upon the availability of fire personnel, weather conditions, fuel moisture levels and smoke management. Fire personnel are scouting other potential burn units in the upcoming weeks to identify which areas they will begin treatment.

Smoke will be visible throughout the day of the burn, mostly during the warmest part of the day. Smoke may linger and accumulate in low-lying areas as night time temperatures cool.

If you have any questions regarding our upcoming prescribed burning efforts, you can call Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer at (928) 338-5425 or you can log onto BIA Fort Apache Fort Apache Agency’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt.

####

Broadcast Burning to begin within the Lofer Burn Unit

October 25, 2023
Whiteriver, AZ – The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency Fire Management in coordination with the White Mountain Apache Tribe are planning to conduct prescribed burning within the Lofer Burn Unit on Thursday, October 26, 2023. If conditions are favorable, active ignitions will continue for several days.

The Lofer burn unit is located 12 miles east of Whiteriver along the Y55 and Y71 road. The burn unit is 1,459 acres. This burn unit is burned on a recurring rotation to best mimic the natural fire return interval and restore natural fire intensities. Reducing fuel loading will decrease future wildland fire intensity and severity, lowering the risk of negative impacts to ecosystems and cultural resources that can result from uncharacteristically severe wildfires.

Prescribed burning activity is dependent upon the availability of fire personnel, weather conditions, fuel moisture levels and smoke management. Fire personnel are scouting other potential burn units in the upcoming weeks to identify which areas they will begin treatment.

If you have any questions regarding our upcoming prescribed burning efforts, you can call Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer at (928) 338-5425 or you can log onto BIA Fort Apache Fort Apache Agency’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt.

####

More Prescribed Burns are Happening in the Near Future

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2023 – Fire managers plan to move operations to the Lakeside Ranger District this week when they begin the Mud Springs prescribed fire, slated for Wednesday, Oct. 25. The 1,829-acre prescribed fire is 3 miles south of Vernon. Fire managers advise there will be temporary smoke impacts in Vernon and surrounding areas. Check air quality information at https://www.airnow.gov/

The project boundary is along and within Forest Road 224/Apache County Road 3140, Forest Road 5B, Forest Road 5, Forest Road 3D, Forest Road 44, and Forest Road 3. 

Fire crews expect smoke to be visible from Highway 60 and 260 that could last for several days after initial ignitions and significantly decrease each day afterward. Crews are currently assessing weather and fuel conditions to determine whether they are within the criteria outlined in the prescribed burn plans. The project will be canceled if fuel moisture, temperature, wind, or humidity are not within the burn plan prescription. Multi-day prescribed fire operations require a daily assessment of conditions and line officer approval before operations can continue. 

Prescribed fires are an effective tool for restoring fire-dependent ecosystems and reducing the risk of high-severity wildfires. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds.

Landscape treatments such as these planned on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health. 

Visit the A-S National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf  and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

###