6/27/15 2:45 pm
U.S. Forest Service
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
30 S Chiricahua Drive
Springerville, AZ 85938

Web: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf
Twitter: @A_SNFs
www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnf

News Release
Media Contact: Pamela Baltimore
928-333-4301
pmbaltimore@fs.fed.us
Lightning caused Alder Fire being used for restoration benefits
June 27, 2015; 11:00 a.m.
Location:
• Black Mesa Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
• Coconino County, Arizona
• North of Forest Service Road (FSR) 100, east of FSR 34, and west of FSR 169, near Alder Canyon

Start Date: June 25, 2015, reported at approx. 5 p.m.
Size: 71 acres
Cause: Lightning Personnel Assigned: 1 Hand Crew, 2 engines
Vegetation: ponderosa pine and Resources Assigned: Engines and resources on scene
Juniper stands

Summary:

The Alder fire is burning west of Alder and east Chevelon Canyons, approximately 13 miles northwest of the community of Forest Lakes. Smoke may be visible from Arizona State Highway 260 and as far as I-40. Fire management staff is managing the lightning-caused wildfire to remove hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, increase forage for livestock and ungulates, reduce the risk of crown fires, and thin overstocked forest.

Fire Information:

For further information on this incident please contact the Black Mesa Ranger District at (928) 535-7300.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FLAGSTAFF AZ
320 PM MST FRI JUN 26 2015

AZZ018-262245-
NORTHERN GILA COUNTY-
320 PM MST FRI JUN 26 2015

…A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT SOUTH CENTRAL GILA AND SOUTHERN NAVAJO COUNTIES…

AT 317 PM MST…A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WAS 14 MILES SOUTH OF YOUNG…
OR 30 MILES SOUTH OF FOREST LAKES…MOVING SOUTHWEST AT 15 MPH.

WIND GUSTS OF 50 TO 55 MPH AND NICKEL SIZE HAIL ARE POSSIBLE WITH THIS STORM.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…
REYNOLDS CREEK GROUP CAMPGROUND AND ROSE CREEK CAMPGROUND.

THIS INCLUDES STATE ROUTE 288 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 273 AND 297.

6/26/15 –   Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gasses and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.
How to tell if smoke is affecting you

Smoke can cause –
 Coughing
 A scratchy throat
 Irritated sinuses
 Shortness of breath
 Chest pain
 Headaches
 Stinging eyes
 A runny nose
If you have a heart or lung disease, smoke might make your symptoms worse. Because heart and lung diseases are more common in the elderly and smokers, their risk of symptoms increases.

People who have heart disease might experience –
 Chest pain
 Rapid heartbeat
 Shortness of breath
 Fatigue

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and are concerned, contact your health care provider.

Smoke may worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as respiratory allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in the following ways:
 Inability to breathe normally
 Cough with or without mucus
 Chest discomfort
 Wheezing and shortness of breath

When smoke levels are high enough, even healthy people may experience some of these symptoms.

Children are more likely to be affected by health threats from smoke because their airways are still developing and because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Children are also more likely to active outdoors.
The following are ways to protect your health and limit exposure to wildfire smoke:
* Monitor the air quality across the state including Show Low and Springerville by clicking on this link: http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx. The purpose of this web page is to provide to the public in near real time, data recorded by the Portable Particulate Monitor Network.
* If you are advised to stay indoors, keep the indoor air as clean as possible. Keep windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot outside. Run an air conditioner if you have one. Keeping it on the recirculate setting and be sure to use a clean filter (preferably a HEPA filter) to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside.
* Do not add to indoor pollution. When smoke levels are high, do not use anything that burns, such as candles, fire places or gas stoves. Do not vacuum, because vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home. Do not smoke because smoking puts even more pollution into the air.
 Avoid physical exertion.
 Keep airways moist by drinking plenty of water.