Springerville, AZ, October 12, 2021 — Fire managers on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are planning for the 2021 fall and 2022 spring prescribed fire burning season that is expected to begin in October of this year.

Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic or catastrophic wildfires.
The Forest Service’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, which includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. A healthy forest is a resilient forest that undergoes fire occurrences on a regular basis. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests works with partners, collaborators, and communities to clearly identify objectives and address concerns during the planning process for prescribed fires.

Officials recognize that impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed methods than in an uncontrolled wildfire situation. Additionally, fire managers will actively monitor atmospheric conditions daily and use strategies to minimize smoke impacts to rural developed areas.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.

Individual news releases will be forthcoming throughout the season, detailing specific information about each burn.

All prescribed burning on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ, if you notice smoke in the air, or to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html

Fire information for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests can be found at:
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/A_SNFs
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
• Website: www.fs.usda.gov/main/asnf/fire

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Severe Thunderstorm Warning National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ

1229 PM MST Tue August 17, 2021

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for:

Gila County in east central Arizona

Navajo County in north central Arizona

Coconino County in north central Arizona

Until 115 PM MST.

At 1228 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles north of

Forest Lakes, moving north at 5 mph.

HAZARD – Quarter size hail.

IMPACT – Damage to vehicles is expected.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE:

Forest Lakes, Forest Road 169 Campground, Spillway Campground, Airplane Flat Campground, Gentry Campground, Canyon Point Campground, Forest Road 237 Camping Area, Rim Campground, Promontory Pit Road Campground, Woods Canyon Lake Campground, Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery, Black Canyon Rim Campground, Sinkhole Campground and Forest Road 171 Campground.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Flash Flood Warning

3 PM MST Mon Aug 16, 2021

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Navajo County in north central Arizona until 515 PM MST.

At 208 PM MST, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.25 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.25 to 0.75 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD – Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

IMPACT – Flash flooding of low-water crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include mainly rural areas of Navajo County and includes the following highways State Route 260 near mile marker 301 between mile markers 303 and 304.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Flooding of washes and creeks will occur, some dirt roads will become muddy and impassable. Paved roads and underpasses could become flooded as well.

In hilly or mountainous terrain, there are many low water crossings which will become dangerous in heavy rain. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads. Find an alternate route.