Springerville, AZ, May 3, 2023 — The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is currently working to begin prescribed fire operations beginning May 22 through June 10, 2023. The following prescribed fires will be initiated if conditions and approvals allow:

Lakeside Ranger District:

• Lakeside Administrative Pile – May 22 through May 29. Location: Lakeside Ranger District. The plan is to burn two piles. The public should expect to see smoke from Highway 60, Highway 260 and the town of Pinetop-Lakeside.  Total acres: ¼ acre.
• Lakeside East-Doyle and Ecks Units – May 25 through June 10, 2023.

Location: three miles southwest of Vernon, AZ. Project boundary is along and within Forest Road 44, Forest Road 3D and Forest Road 5. The public should expect to see smoke from Highway 60 and possibly 260.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires provide habitat diversity, recycle plant nutrients into the soil, and encourage new growth for various plants used by wildlife and livestock. They also reduce forest surface fuels which lessen the threat of large-scale wildfire impacts on private lands and communities.

Smoke will be a consideration in the vicinity of the prescribed fires depending on the weather and caution should be used when traveling in the area. Information on air quality and active prescribed fires can be found on Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s webpage: https://azdeq.gov/.

Stay up to date on news from the A-S at our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf, on Twitter @A_SNFs and on facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.