Slash pile burning to begin on Friday, October 30, 2020 on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation 

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency Fire Management in coordination with the White Mountain Apache Tribe will conduct slash pile burn operations on Friday, October 30, 2020 within two burn units. If conditions are favorable they will continue treatment efforts throughout the weekend.  

Soldier Butte Burn Unit: The Soldier Butte burn unit is located about 6 miles east of McNary just north of Little Bear Lake.  There are two small burn blocks totaling 545 acres that are planned to be treated.   

Chuckbox Burn Unit: The Chuckbox burn unit is located northwest of Cibecue just along Whitetail Ridge.  The slash pile unit is 350 acres.  

Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in burning operations. Wind helps disperse smoke created during pile burning operations and snow helps keep the piles contained. Seeing flames and smoke, even after dark, is part of normal operations. This is one way that we can help reduce the buildup of fuels on the landscape under the safest conditions. 

Conditions are evaluated each day to determine if ignition will take place. Precipitation, wind, temperature, fuel moisture and staffing all play a part in when and whether ignition occurs. 

Nearby residents should expect smoke in the vicinity and drivers should pay extra attention while traveling through or adjacent to burn areas.  

All Prescribed Fire activity will be carefully monitored and will comply with smoke management guidelines to reduce the impact of smoke on local residents. If conditions become unfavorable prescribed burning efforts will be ceased to mitigate smoke impacts to the communities. 

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 Agency’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt.