The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency Fire Management in coordination with the White Mountain Apache Tribe will begin prescribed burn operations on Wednesday, October 9,2019 contingent upon favorable weather conditions. Several Burn Units are targeted to be treated by either pile burning or broadcast burning on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

The late fall prescribed burning conditions have low to moderate fire intensity which produces beneficial post-fire effects. These small prescribed fires will help reduce fuel accumulation from logging and thinning projects, decrease the risk of high intensity wildfire, and protects communities. Broadcast burns involve applying fire across the forest floor. Flames make their way along the surface, consuming accumulated needles, leaves, branches, and logs while recycling nutrients back into the soil. Broadcast burns typically produce the most noticeable
smoke.

Nearby residents should expect smoke in the vicinity 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.

Prescribed burning efforts will continue as long as weather conditions permit and targeted acres are completed. Location and timing of burns will be identified on a weekly basis. Fire personnel are scouting potential burn units this week to identify which areas they will begin treatment. If conditions are favorable the next update will be on Monday, October 7, 2019 with exact locations of areas to be treated. If conditions are not favorable, then the next news release will be at least two days prior to treatment.

If you have any questions regarding our upcoming prescribed burning efforts, you can call Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer at (928) 338-5425 or you can log onto BIA Fort Apache Agency’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt.

News Release

ALBUQUERQUE NM, October 1, 2019 – The court-ordered injunction suspending all timber management activities on the five national forests in New Mexico and the Tonto National Forest in Arizona has been modified to allow the personal cutting and collection of fuelwood. The Forest Service will resume permit sales immediately.

Southwestern Regional Forester Cal Joyner said, “We are pleased with this modification, which highlights the fact that we all want to do right by the communities we serve and reduce unnecessary burdens on communities that depend on the national forests for their sustenance. I want to assure you that we are committed to continuing our work to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat from catastrophic wildfire, and we thank you for your ongoing support, understanding and patience.”

The federal court’s ruling is related to the recent court-ordered injunction in the case WildEarth Guardians vs. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, et al concerning the Mexican spotted owl.

Other activities, including stewardship contracts, timber sales, thinning and prescribed burns, remain suspended in order to ensure compliance with the ruling, pending clarification or modification of the injunction.

The national forests impacted by the court’s order remain open to the public for recreation and other activities. The Forest Service is extremely grateful to our state and federal partners including the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management, the New Mexico State Forestry Division, the New Mexico Governor’s Office and countless community leaders for helping find interim solutions.
For the most up to date information from the Forest Service please go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/mso.

### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Marble and Glen Canyons-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward-Chinle Valley-
Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau-
Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County-
Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County-
Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County-
Eastern Mogollon Rim-White Mountains-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264-
Including the cities of Page, Lees Ferry, Keams Canyon, Kaibito,
Canyon De Chelly, Chinle, Kayenta, Window Rock, Ganado,
Wupatki N.M, .Tuba City, Winslow, Holbrook, Snowflake, St. Johns,
Springerville, Heber, Happy Jack, Forest Lakes, Show Low, Greer,
Pinetop, Dilkon, and Kykotsmovi…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM MST SUNDAY…

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Wind
Advisory, which is in effect from 8 AM to 8 PM MST Sunday.

* TIMING…Sunday morning through Sunday evening.

* WINDS…Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts 40 to 50 mph.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds may lead to difficult driving, especially
along I-40 and Highway 264. Patchy blowing dust at lower
elevations could cause decreased visibility.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Wind Advisory means that sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph…or
gusts from 40 to 57 mph…are expected. Winds this strong can
make driving difficult…especially for high profile vehicles.
Consider securing loose belongings on your property. Additional
weather information is on the web at www.weather.gov/flagstaff.