Springerville, AZ, April 15, 2022 — The Clifton Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning to proceed with the Mesa Re-Entry prescribed burn project beginning as soon as Monday, April 18th and activity could extend through the end of the month as conditions allow.

The Mesa Re-Entry prescribed burn project is spread across approximately 8,000 acres, and smoke will be expected to be seen through the month of April, depending on weather conditions. The project area is bounded to the north and west by Pine Flat Road (FR 515), to the south by Upper Eagle Creek Road (FR 217), and to the east by sections of Corral Creek and Sheep Wash Canyon.

Public safety notices will be posted in the vicinity of the project, and travelers should use caution when in the area. Fire planners expect to take advantage of forecasted cool temperatures and lower winds in the coming days, and the project area will include a comprehensive safety strategy including control features and pretreating vulnerable areas.

Prescribed fires like the Mesa Re-Entry project are part of the Forest Service’s comprehensive 10-year strategy for protecting communities and improving resilience in America’s forests. The intent of the Wildfire Management Strategy is to increase fuels treatments that help firefighters respond safely to incidents, restore and maintain resilient landscapes, and create fire-adapted communities. The plan calls for treating up to an additional 20 million acres of National Forest System lands, and up to an additional 30 million acres of other federal, state, tribal and private lands.

Smoke is expected to be visible along Highway 191, Morenci and the community of Eagle Creek but is not expected to impact travel. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and active prescribed burns can be found on Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s webpage: https://azdeq.gov/.

The public can obtain additional information by calling the Clifton Ranger District at (928) 687-8600.

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.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Planned Prescribed Burns are always weather dependent.

Springerville, AZ, December 6th, 2021 — The Lakeside Ranger District is planning to begin the Marsh Prescribed Burn project over the next two weeks (December 7th – December 17th).

The Marsh Project encompasses multiple small marsh ponds totaling 25 acres, which are located West of highway 77, approximately 2 miles North of the Showlow City Limits.

Smoke from this project is expected to be visible the day of the burn and dissipate is 24 to 48 hours depending on the weather. Caution should be used when traveling in the area.

Questions about the project can be directed to the Lakeside District Office at (928) 368-2100.

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

All Planned Prescribed Burns are weather dependent

Springerville, AZ, October 29th, 2021 — Multiple districts on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are planning prescribed burns over the next three weeks (October 25th to November 12th). Prescription burn projects are being planned for the following locations:
Alpine Ranger District
• Wallow West Unit Four Rx Project, location will be FR 25 South to the Black River and West of FR25 to FR 25G on the East.
Springerville Ranger District
• Cerro Trigo Rx Project, location will be West of County Road 1323 and East of Whiting Homestead.
• 404 Rx Project, location will be South of FR 404 West of FR 61, North of FR 64A.
• Brady Park Rx Project, location will be South of FR 404, West of FR 404C, and East of FR 64.
Lakeside Ranger District
• Morgan Tank Rx Project, location will be South of SR 260 and ½ mile west of the Bison Ridge and Torreon developments, specifically South of FR 130 to FR 300, and East of FR 140 to FR 135.
Black Mesa Ranger District
• Heber/Overgaard WUI Rx, location will be South of Turkey Draw, North of FR 160 and associated dozer line, East of Hwy 260 and West of FR 86.
Smoke will be a consideration in the vicinity of the prescribed burns depending on the weather and caution should be used when traveling in the area.
Stay up to date on news from the A bar S at our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf, on Twitter @A_SNFs and on facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.