4/1/16 7:30 am
Prescribed burning continues on Springerville Ranger District

Springerville, AZ, March 31, 2016;–For Immediate Release — The Springerville Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning to continue prescribed fire operations next week. The district plans to burn approximately 1350 acres on the Hideaways Unit, adjacent to the communities of Hidden Meadows and Greens Peak Hideaways. Resources have been identified in the burn plan to meet both resource and control goals.

Smoke will be visible from Round Valley, Arizona State Highway 260, U.S. Highway 60 and along Forest Road 118. The burn is to enhance wildlife habitat and watershed conditions while promoting forest health and protecting communities from the effects of future high severity wildfire. This prescribed fire is in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Habitat Partnership Committee and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Implementation of smoke management actions near smoke sensitive areas such as towns and outlying residential areas. Precautions will be taken to minimize the adverse effects of smoke on the local communities. Motorists are advised to drive safely when approaching areas where prescribed fire activities may limit visibility and hinder fire personnel operations.

All prescribed burns are approved through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) before ignition begins. The ADEQ monitors air quality and determines whether or not it will be a good day for smoke dispersion. Although smoke from the prescribed fire can still be noticeable, it is usually for a shorter time, and considerably less smoke than wildfires produce. If you are sensitive to smoke or have respiratory problems, consider staying indoors if possible. You can check the status for air quality at your location: https://nmtracking.org/en/environ_exposure/fire-and-smoke/

Questions or concerns contact Cary Stock, Springerville Ranger District Assistant Fire Management Officer at (928) 333-6351. Also, check out the ASNFs website at: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf

3/29/16 – A strong cold front will continue to bring very windy conditions to much of central and eastern Arizona through late this afternoon and early evening. A wind advisory continues for these areas.

In addtion to the wind much colder temperatures are expected today along with areas of rain and snow showers. The best chance for precipitation will be along the Mogollon Rim southeast of Flagstaff and northeast toward the higher terrain of Apache County.

Much of the precipitation will be light but isolated pockets of heavier and more persistent precipitation may produce up to an inch of snowfall above 6500 feet this morning.

Winds will decrease from west to east this evening with most precipitation ending as well.

Cold conditions will continue Wednesday although with much less wind. Rain and snow showers are possible once again mainly in the afternoon and over higher terrain. A warming and drying trend will develop Thursday and into next weekend.

3/28/16 – Never throw a cigarette out of the window of a vehicle. Use your ashtray to prevent wildfires! This week we will be posting several messages regarding Southwest Wildfire Preparedness Week. At their regularly scheduled meeting on March 22, 2016 the Navajo County Board of Supervisors signed a proclamation in honor of this week. Learn more at SmokeyBear.com. #OneLessSpark