12/15/16 0800 – The National Weather Service has forecast an increase in clouds and southwest breezes today as a Pacific storm system approaches the west coast.

This storm will spread areas of light rain and some higher elevation snow from west to east overnight. Southwest winds will continue to increase through the night, becoming locally strong by Friday morning.

Areas of rain and high elevation snow will continue through the day on Friday along with strong southwest winds. A wind advisory has been issued for much of the area.

A cold front will move from west to east Friday evening and overnight. Snow levels will fall from 7500-8500 feet early in the evening, down to around 5000 feet by early Saturday morning. Some light snow accumulations and possible winter weather driving conditions will be possible above 6000 feet Friday night and Saturday morning.

Cold conditions will persist behind the front over the weekend and into next week, but chances for additional rain or snow will be near zero.

Lakeside Ranger District burning slash piles

Lakeside, AZ –December 14, 2016; —The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Lakeside Ranger District will be burning slash piles on December 14. The legal description is T9N, R24E Sections 24 & 25. Scattered piles will be burned across roughly 20 acres of forest land. Ignition is planned for one day only and smoke impact is anticipated along Forest Road 224 (McNary/Vernon Road) and Forest Service Road 267. In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the pile burn as smoke may reduce visibility in the area.
Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil and encourages new growth for a variety of plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large scale wildfire impacts to private lands. Crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries. Prescribed fire operations are subject to cancelation due to unfavorable weather conditions.
For questions or concerns please contact the Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100, or dial 311 to reach the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System. Also, check out our website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/.

12/7/16 – During this winter season we would like to remind all of our citizens about a few things to help keep you and your family safe. The U.S. Fire Administration has shared a few startling statistics about the threat of winter fires.

• 905 people die in winter home fires each year
• $2,091,000,000 in property loss occurs from winter home fires
• 67% of winter fires occur in one- and two-family homes
• Cooking is the leading cause of all winter home fires
• 5 to 8 p.m. is the most common time for winter home fires

Click on the link to get more tips and information to share with your friends, neighbors and loved ones this winter to keep everyone safe:  Put A Freeze on Winter Fires!