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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