Springerville, AZ – Feb. 16, 2021 — The Springerville Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) will be conducting a prescribed burn of the Greer Community Brush Pit, Wednesday, February 17^th, due to favorable weather conditions.

The Fire crews will be on scene from the beginning of ignitions until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries. The Brush Pit, approximately one acre, is located north of the Benny Creek Campgrounds in Greer.  During season, this site supports local landowners’ efforts to keep their community and their homes safe from wildfires providing a free drop-off site to dispose of green waste that would otherwise sit in yards, posing as a fire risk.

Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. This prescribed fire is a follow-up to previous hand thinning treatments within the unit. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil, and encourages new growth for various plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large-scale wildfire impacts on private lands.

Smoke will be visible from HWY 260, 60, and the communities of Greer, Hidden Meadows, Vernon, Springerville, and Eagar. All prescribed burns are approved through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) before ignitions begin. ADEQ monitors air quality and determines whether or not it will be a good day for smoke dispersion. 

Although smoke from prescribed fire can still be a nuisance, it is usually for a shorter time and considerably less smoke than wildfires produce. If you are sensitive to smoke or have respiratory problems, stay indoors if possible. To find helpful resources visit the ASNFs website at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/fire.

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Local Ranger Station: Springerville RD (928) 333-6200
• 311 Information at (928) 333-3412
• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf
• Twitter: twitter.com/A_SNFs
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/

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Springerville, AZ – Feb. 16, 2021 — The Black Mesa Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will be conducting a prescribed burn within the Black Mesa Administration Site Prescribed Burn area starting today, Tuesday, February 16th, due to favorable weather conditions.

The Black Mesa Administrate Site piles, approximately 5 acres, are located at the Black Mesa Ranger District in Overgaard. Fire crews will be on scene from the beginning of ignitions until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.
Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. This prescribed fire is a follow-up to previous hand thinning treatments within the unit. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil, and encourages new growth for various plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large-scale wildfire impacts on private lands.

Smoke will be visible from HWY 260, 277, 377, and the communities of Heber-Overgaard, Aripine and Clay Springs. All prescribed burns are approved through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) before ignitions begin. ADEQ monitors air quality and determines whether or not it will be a good day for smoke dispersion.

Although smoke from prescribed fire can still be a nuisance, it is usually for a shorter time and considerably less smoke than wildfires produce. If you are sensitive to smoke or have respiratory problems, stay indoors if possible. To find helpful resources visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/fire.

The public can obtain additional information via the following:
• Local Ranger Station: Black Mesa RD (928) 535-7300
• 311 Information at (928) 333-3412
• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf
• Twitter: twitter.com/A_SNFs
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/

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Springerville, AZ – January 26, 2021 – The Alpine Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning a prescribed burn of piles beginning Wednesday, January 27-31, 2021, weather conditions permit. Piles consist of debris leftover from recent timber and sales. They are burned to reduce the fuel loading surrounding Alpine’s community. Fire personnel will monitor the burn until it is entirely out.

Smoke will be visible from Alpine, along portions of Arizona State Hwy 180/191, and portions of Forest Road 8056 (Escudilla/Hulsey Bench Rd.). Smoke may limit visibility on roads and may be present for up to one week after ignitions are complete. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

All prescribed burns are approved through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) before ignitions begin, and they monitor air quality. Please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s webpage: https://azdeq.gov/, for additional information regarding air quality.

Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. This prescribed fire is a follow up to the previous hand thinning treatments within the units. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil, and encourages new growth for various plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large-scale wildfire impacts on private lands.

Although smoke from prescribed fire can still be a nuisance, it is usually for a shorter time, and considerably less smoke than wildfires produce. If you are sensitive to smoke or have respiratory problems, stay indoors if possible. To find helpful fire resources visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/fire.

The public can obtain additional information via the following:

• Local Ranger Station: Alpine Ranger District at (928) 339-5000
• 311 Information at (928) 333-3412
• Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website
• Prescribed Fires and Smoke

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