Springerville, AZ, December 13, 2017 – For Immediate Release. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Lakeside Ranger District will be conducting a 442 acre prescribed burn within the Sepulveda unit of the Los Burros broadcast burn area beginning on 12/14 and continuing through 12/15 if weather conditions allow.
The Sepulveda Unit is about five miles south of Vernon, along Forest Service Road (FSR) 96, and is surrounded by FSR 6, FSR 6H and FSR 96B.
Ignition may last several days, with daily smoke impact anticipated within area drainages. Smoke will be visible in the local area, from Arizona State Highway 260, and U.S. Highway 60, in Round Valley, Vernon and Show Low. In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the prescribed fire burn units as firefighters and fire-related traffic may be in the area.
The Sepulveda unit has received some forest thinning within the past three to eight years, and this prescribed burn continues the restoration treatment that is needed. It provides for habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil and encourages new growth for a variety of plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning removes hazardous fuels and reduces the threat of large-scale wildfires, providing improved protection for the community of Vernon from wildfires that may start southeast of town. Crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.
Air quality considerations are an integral part of prescribed fire, and it is the goal of forest managers to minimize smoke impacts to our communities while still accomplishing forest health and fuels reduction goals. Arizona residents can view air quality across the state using the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Portable Particulate Monitors.
For questions or concerns please contact the Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100, or call the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System at 928-333-3412.

Timber Mesa Fire and Medical are actively working a brush fire just off Porter Mountain Road NE of Highway 260 in the Billy Creek area. Forward progression has been stopped and the crews are in the mopping up stage. Citizens are urged to avoid this area as much as possible to minimize traffic congestion while crews conduct their operations. Peterson subdivision residents who left the area due to the brush fire may now return to their homes

Springerville, AZ, November 20, 2017 – For Immediate Release. The Lakeside Ranger District is planning on burning Redhead Marsh, Polishing Ponds and Jacques Marsh, weather permitting, starting today, Monday, November 20. The burn is approximately 60 acres. Minimal smoke impact is expected and may be visible from Arizona State Highway 77, U.S. Highway 60, Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside and Linden.

Prescribed burn locations:

Redhead Marsh: Located three miles northwest of Show Low on the west side of AZ State Highway 77, near Telephone Lake.
Polishing Ponds: Located three miles north of Show Low on the west side of AZ State Highway 77, near Telephone Lake.
Jacques Marsh: Located one mile north of Lakeside on the west side of Penrod Road.
This prescribed burn is in cooperation with Arizona Game and Fish, the City of Show Low and the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside. The burn will benefit wildlife, the wetland and riparian ecosystems using prescribed fire to reduce dead fuels and stimulate new growth of wetland vegetation.

All prescribed burns are approved through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) before ignitions begin. The ADEQ monitors air quality and determines whether or not it will be a good day for smoke dispersion. Breaking larger burn areas into smaller acreages often limits the amount of smoke that impacts an area. Although smoke from prescribed fire can still be a nuisance, 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.

Crews will be on scene from the beginning of ignitions until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.

Questions or concerns contact The Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100 or by calling 311 or (928) 333-3412. Also, check out the ASNFs website at: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf

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