Whiteriver, Arizona – Fort Apache Agency Fire Management will resume prescribed burning on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation due to favorable weather conditions beginning Sunday, November 25, 2018. Prescribed burn operations will resume within various burn units from November 25 to December 7, 2018.

On Sunday, November 25, 2018, fire personnel will conduct pile burning within the Beaver Creek Burn Unit. The Beaver Creek Burn unit is located about 7 miles east of Whiteriver. Fire personnel will treat 300 acres of piles.

On Monday, November 26, 2018 fire personnel will conduct broadcast burning within the Corduroy or Coyote West Burn Unit. Both burn units are located southwest of Hondah. Fire personnel will treat between 300-500 acres a day.

Nearby residents should expect smoke in the vicinity and drivers should pay extra attention while traveling through or adjacent to burn units. 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) 338-5425 or you can log onto BIA Fort Apache Agency’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt.

###

The Alpine Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning a five-acre broadcast test burn Tuesday, November 13, 2018. If favorable results are achieved after the test burn, the Alpine fire crew will continue with the 454 acre burn in the Chapache Unit (See Map). The units were thinned from 2003-09, with some areas being previously burned. This maintenance burn will reduce build-up of forest fuels and reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires in the Alpine and Tal-Wi-Wi communities. Additionally, this area may provide a safe anchor point for firefighters to directly attack a wildfire.

Ignitions will be dependent on weather conditions and occur throughout the mornings, which will minimize the adverse effects of smoke on the local communities. Smoke will be visible from Alpine, along portions of Arizona State Highway 180/191, and portions of Forest Road 249. Motorists are advised to drive safely as smoke may limit visibility. Fire personnel will monitor the burn until it is completely out.

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 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, stay indoors if possible.

Questions or concerns contact the Alpine Ranger District at 928-339-5000 or visit the ASNFs website at: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.

Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
344 PM MST SUN OCT 21 2018

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a* Flash Flood Warning for…
Navajo County in north central Arizona…

* Until 645 PM MST/745 PM MDT/

* At 343 PM MST/443 PM MDT/, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms
producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to two inches of
rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin
shortly.

This includes the following streams and drainages…Cottonwood Wash…Fern Feather Wash…Coyote Wash and Little Colorado River.

This includes the following highways…
State Route 87 between mile markers 350 and 359.
North Park Drive north of Winslow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life.