Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ (2/5/2026) – The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management continues to take advantage of favorable weather conditions to conduct a prescribed burn project in Navajo County starting on Tuesday, February 10.

The 54-acre Mullen Mountain pile burn, located approximately 4 miles east of Pinetop-Lakeside and near State Route 260, will treat more than 200 mixed Conifer and Juniper piles generated from previous fuels reduction work in the area. Project managers designed the project to reduce hazardous fuels to lower the wildfire risk to nearby communities, reintroduce nutrients to the soil, and improve forest health. Pile burning is a more efficient way to reduce the leftover debris, and through hand ignitions, project managers expect 80-90% pile consumption.

The project should take two days to complete with firing operations starting the morning of February 10. Residents within the vicinity of the project work may experience some smoke impacts, but favorable winds are expected to lift and disperse the smoke, reducing heavy smoke impacts to populated areas and roads. Overnight, smoke may settle into the lower areas.

All burns are weather dependent and must have approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) prior to work starting. DFFM works closely with ADEQ to provide for safe burning conditions and minimal smoke impacts
to the public.

For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at tdavila@dffm.az.gov

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Community Alert! Suspect at large.
12:30 AM 08/28/2025

Area of Juniper Dr off Porter Mountain Rd and Penrod Rd in Lakeside, AZ.

The Sheriff’s Office is investigating a stabbing incident in the 1800 block of Juniper Dr in Lakeside, with a large police presence. The suspect is described as a white male, bald, wearing a jean Carhart jacket, blue jeans, brown boots, tan/yellow leather gloves.

Please stay alert and if you see an individual matching this description do not approach. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Immediately call law enforcement to report anything suspicious.

Several wildfires have ignited throughout the state including several in neighboring jurisdictions. With these fires, smoky conditions are to be expected in areas of Navajo & Apache Counties. Please refer to the following information for tips to assist when these conditions exist due to prescribed burns.

Particulate matter is a component of smoke from fires and consists of fine particles such as soot and ash that can reach deep into the lungs and may contain irritating and toxic compounds. Some of the symptoms related to smoke exposure from fires include:
• Eye, nose, mouth and/or throat irritation;
• Coughing;
• Trouble breathing;
• Tightness of the chest; and/or
• The onset of symptoms related to pre-existing respiratory ailments like asthma or emphysema.
I
f the smoke from wildfires is affecting you and your family, consider some of the following actions:
• If you smell smoke and/or are beginning to experience symptoms, consider temporarily locating to another area.
• Move indoors and remain inside with doors and windows closed.
• Run the air conditioning, with the fan feature on your home heating system turned off. The filtration units on home systems can provide some benefit.
• Run room air filtration appliances.
• Reduce your physical activity level. Do not exercise.
• If symptoms persist or become severe, please contact your primary health care provider – even persons considered healthy can experience symptoms when exposed to smoke from fires!

There are a few population groups considered especially at risk from exposure to smoke.
• Elderly persons
• Young children (especially children 7 and under)
• Individuals with pre-existing health conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease; to include those individuals experiencing cold or flu symptoms.

Should new information become available it will be posted here or on our social media pages.

To follow information from the particulate monitors, please visit the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx