Lewis Canyon Piles prescribe burn map.

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. – January 30, 2025 – Fire managers plan to continue prescribed fire operations on the Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests between January 30 through January 31, 2025, as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations.

The Lewis Canyon prescribed fire piles project is 2 acres of piles located directly south of Pinedale, Arizona in the Lewis Canyon Campground on Forest Road 130.

The objective of this prescribed fire project is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations, minimize the risk of high-severity wildfires, and return the landscape to a more fire-resistant condition, aligning with the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests.

Smoke may be visible from the communities of Pinedale, Clay Springs, Vernon, the City of Show Low, Town of Pinetop-Lakeside, and along State Routes 77 and 260 and U.S. Highway 60. Smoke could last for several days after initial ignitions take place, but should be significantly less each day afterwards. We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program. When smoke impacts are present, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recommends that smoke sensitive individuals should reduce physical activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed. For those who are unable to avoid smoke exposure, use of a particulate-filtering respirator mask can help. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at fire.airnow.gov. Visit the A-S National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

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Daily Update July 11, 2024
Acres: 2,019  Start Date: 07/08/24
Location: 20 miles NE of Payson, AZ  Personnel: 233
Containment: 0%  Fuels: Timber
Resources: 2 Hotshot Crews, 2 IA Crews & 2 Type 2 Crews | 4 Engines | 1 helicopter | 1 Water Tender |
4 Dozers

Highlights: In line with the full suppression objective, direct attack tactics are being implemented, when and where safe to do so. Southwest Area Team 1 assumed command of the Pius Fire yesterday morning and are strategically planning how to minimize the effects on the numerous values at risk in the area.

Fire Activity: Firefighters are staying engaged on the fire throughout two shifts that cover the extended burn period which allows for action to be taken when the conditions are right. The fire activity is wind sensitive with live vegetation burning actively when the winds are pushing the fire. Fire crews and equipment will continue to construct and reinforce the fire perimeter, creating wider fire lines today. Forecasted thunderstorms with erratic winds have fire officials on high alert and close attention is being paid to
any activity near the existing fire line, as well as any potential new starts. The team will assist local units by providing resources to fight any new starts during this period of unstable atmospheric conditions and increased recreation in the area.

Weather: The hot and dry trend continues with high temperatures in the 90s, single digit humidity, and light to moderate winds out of the Northwest today. There’s a chance of thunderstorms predicted this afternoon and although they may remain south of the Rim, outflow winds will still be near the fire.

Smoke: Smoke may continue to impact the communities of Christopher Creek, Payson, Young, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, and Highway 260. For updates on smoke conditions in your local area visit www.fire.airnow.gov.

Closures/ Evacuations: The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued notices for evacuations in the area. For the most current evacuation information, please visit the Coconino County Emergency Management website at https://www.coconino.az.gov/.

More Information:
Fire Information: 928-216-3127 Email: 2024.pius@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azasf-pius-fire

Acres: 1,714                                          Start Date: 07/08/24
Location: 20 miles NE of Payson, AZ    Personnel: 76
Containment: 0%                                  Fuels: Timber
Resources: 1 Initial Attack Crew | 4 Engines | 4 helicopters | 1 Water Tender | 5 Dozers

Highlights: At 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, Southwest Area Team 1 assumed command of the Pius Fire. This is full suppression fire; the incident management team will use both direct and in-direct tactics to support the suppression efforts. Resources on scene include hand crews, engines, heavy equipment and both fixed and rotor wing aircraft.

Fire Activity: Initial attack resources remained on the fire overnight, working to establish containment lines around values at risk. Firefighters and equipment continue to construct fire line today and will be using back firing operations where necessary to support containment efforts. Aerial resources will continue to be utilized to both monitor fire growth as well as support ground operations through water drops. High winds and heavy fuel in the fire area will continue to contribute to fire growth. Key values at risk including private inholdings, popular recreation areas, and power infrastructure are areas firefighters will focus efforts during today’s operations.

Weather: Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue with high temperatures in the 90s and winds northwest at 10-15 mph.

Smoke: Smoke is expected to impact the communities of Christoper Creek, Payson, Young, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, and Highway 260. For updates on smoke conditions in your local area visit www.fire.airnow.gov.

Closures/ Evacuations: The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued a ‘SET’ notice for the immediate area around Knoll Lake and the associated campground. A ‘GO’ notice, evacuate immediately, has been issued for Bear Canyon Lake including areas north of Forest Road 300, east of Forest Road 115, south of Forest Road 225, and west of Forest Road 34. To find more information about current evacuations please visit the Coconino County Emergency Management website.

More Information:
Fire Information: 928-216-3127 Email: 2024.pius@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azasf-pius-fire