***** LAW ENFORCEMENT INCIDENT *****

1/9/21  2:18 PM

The suspects have been found and are in custody.

1/9/21 12:00

This is a photo of the possible male suspect for the incident on US 60. If seen, DO NOT APPROACH! Call 911 immediately.
Suspect 1:
-White male- possibly Hispanic
-Shaved head
-5’11/ 155 lbs
-Brown eyes
-Heavily tattooed
Image may contain: 1 person, beard, phone, closeup and indoor

1/9/21 11:35 – Law enforcement officials have advised there are no new updates. Please stay alert and report any suspicious activity. Officials ask everyone to stay away from the area of Highway 60 MP 350 if at all possible.

1/9/2021 9:00

Law enforcement officials are searching for individuals (unknown description at this time) involved in a police incident. It is unclear if individuals are armed. Please do not pick up hitch hikers or answer doors to unknown individuals. Do not attempt to detain or apprehend anyone. If you have information pertinent to this matter call 911. Updates will be posted as more information is received.
*Do NOT call 911 for updates!!*

PILE BURN PROJECT TO BEGIN IN APACHE COUNTY

Vernon, AZ (12/11/2020) – The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management plans to begin a two-day pile burn project near the Vernon Cemetery, in Apache County, starting Monday.

The project consists of burning off 40 debris piles leftover from previous fuels mitigation work in the area. Pile burning is a more efficient way of reducing remaining fuels to protect communities in the area from wildfires. Ignitions are set to begin the morning of Monday, Dec. 14, and go through Tuesday, Dec. 15. Once ignitions are completed, engine crews will monitor piles through the rest of the week and into the weekend.
Smoke will be visible from U.S. 60 between Show Low and Springerville with possible smoke impacts to the community of Vernon.

All prescribed burns are weather dependent and must have prior approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

Burn updates can be found on the agency’s social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.

For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at tdavila@dffm.az.gov

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BIA Ft. Apache Agency – Slash Pile Burning

Fort Apache Agency Fire Management and White Mountain Apache Tribal Forestry staff plan to burn slash piles starting December 10, 2020 and throughout the weekend within the Hop Canyon burn unit. The Hop Canyon burn unit is located about 10 miles south of Show Low and northeast of the Limestone Lookout Tower. A total of 800 acres of slash piles are targeted to be treated within this burn unit.

Conditions are evaluated each day to determine if ignition will take place. Precipitation, wind, temperature, fuel moisture and staffing all play a part in when and whether ignition occurs. Nearby residents should expect smoke in the vicinity particularly along Highway 60 and drivers should pay extra attention while traveling through or adjacent to burn areas.

All Prescribed Fire activity will be carefully monitored and will comply with smoke management guidelines to reduce the impact of smoke on local residents. If conditions become unfavorable prescribed burning efforts will be ceased to mitigate smoke impacts to the communities.

If you have any questions regarding our upcoming prescribed burning efforts, you can call Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer at (928) 205-5662 or you can log onto BIA Fort Apache Agency’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt.