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Prescribed burning planned on Alpine Ranger District on 10/18/17

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Prescribed burning planned on Alpine Ranger District

Springerville, AZ, October 17, 2017 — For Immediate Release — The Alpine Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning to conduct prescribed fire operations Wednesday, October 18. The district plans to burn approximately 200 acres of the Nutri 2 Unit, one mile south of Nutrioso and three miles west of Alpine.

The project covers approximately 2000 acres of Wallow Fire high severity burn area. This 200 acres test area will be used to determine future planned ignitions in this area. If the test burn provides favorable results and meets predetermined objectives, ignitions will continue the week of October 23-27.

Prescribed burning enhances wildlife habitat and watershed conditions, while promoting forest health and protecting communities from the effects of future high severity wildfire. This prescribed burn is made possible with a partnership between the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Forest Service to improve wildlife habitat and reduce forest fuels.

Smoke will likely travel northeast during the day and settle into Boneyard Creek area in the evening. Smoke may be visible from the communities of Alpine and Nutrioso, and from U.S. Highway 180/191. Motorists are advised to drive safely when approaching areas where prescribed fire activities may limit visibility and hinder fire personnel operations.

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

Little Springs & Brady Park Prescribed Burns Planned

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Little Springs Prescribed Burn

Springerville, AZ, October 13, 2017 – The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Black Mesa Ranger District plans to conduct a prescribed burn, weather permitting, within the Little Springs prescribed burn area starting on October 16 and possibly through November, or as long as it takes to complete the burning operation. This burn will be around the Forest Lakes area on the north side of Highway 260. The whole burn project will encompass about 1,900 acres and will take place along Forest Roads 99, 99A, 237, and Highway 260.

Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. This prescribed fire is a follow up to previous mechanical treatments within parts of the unit. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil and encourages new growth for a variety of plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large scale wildfire impacts to private lands. This will provide protection for the adjacent private lands including the community of Forest Lakes and the Ryan Ranch.

Once ignition occurs, crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.

For questions or concerns please contact the Black Mesa Ranger District at (928) 535-7300. Dial 311 for the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and our Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/.

Brady Park Prescribed Burn

Springerville, AZ, October 13, 2017 — For Immediate Release — The Springerville Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning to conduct prescribed fire operations October 16 and 17 if weather conditions are conducive to meeting objectives. The district plans to burn approximately 1,469 acres on the Brady Park Unit, 6 miles southeast of Vernon. Personnel will remain on scene to monitor the burn through the week as needed.

Ignitions will occur throughout the morning to minimize the adverse effects of smoke on the local communities. Smoke will be visible from Round Valley, Arizona State Highway 260, US Highway 60 and along Forest Roads 117, 404, and 65. Motorists are advised to drive safely when approaching areas where prescribed fire activities may limit visibility and hinder fire personnel operations.

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. Prescribed burning enhances wildlife habitat and watershed conditions, while promoting forest health and protecting communities from the effects of future high severity wildfire. This prescribed fire is in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Habitat Partnership Committee, as well as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Mule Deer Foundation.

33 Springs Fire – Update as of 10/13/17

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33 Springs Fire – Update
October 13, 2017 at 6:00 p.m.
Location:
 Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
 Coconino County, Arizona
 Northwest of Forest Lakes in Leonard Canyon
Start Date: October 6, 2017
Size: Approximately 1,685 acres
Percent contained: 50%
Personnel Assigned: 70
Growth Potential: Low
Cause: Lightning
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer
Summary: The fire is in steep, rugged terrain in Leonard Canyon, 17 miles northwest of Forest Lakes, bordering the Coconino National Forest. Southwest winds produced strong gusty winds today but the fire lines held and there was no additional growth. Dozer lines and hand lines are complete around the perimeter of the fire, and crews continued to patrol and mop up the southern, eastern and northern flanks of the fire today. On October 14, the 33 Springs Fire is planned to transition from a Type 3 fire to a Type 4 fire because it has become less complex and less of a threat. No changes are expected over the weekend, however, the fire will be constantly evaluated and monitored by fire personnel on the scene.

Structures Threatened: The threat is diminished at this time.
Resources Assigned: 3 Type 6 engines, 1 Interagency Hotshot Crew, 1 Dozers, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, 1 Water Tender, 2 Arizona State DOC Crews, and miscellaneous overhead.

U.S.

33 Springs Fire – Update

October 11, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

Location:
 Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
 Coconino County, Arizona
 Northwest of Forest Lakes in Leonard Canyon

Start Date: October 6, 2017
Size: Approximately 1,800 acres
Percent contained: 15%
Cause: Lightning
Personnel Assigned: 130
Growth Potential: Moderate
Vegetation: Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer

Summary: The fire is in steep, rugged terrain in Leonard Canyon, 17 miles northwest of Forest Lakes, bordering the Coconino National Forest. A cold front moving through today is expected to produce strong gusty winds from the south. Today crews plan to patrol and mop up the southern and eastern flanks of the fire lines, look for opportunities to put in a second contingency dozer line to the north, and use roadways to stop any northern movement. Crews will also continue to conduct burn-out operations on the north and west sides of the fire as needed.

Structures Threatened: Some homes and structures are potentially threatened.

Resources Assigned: 3 Type 3 engines, 9 Type 6 engines, 1 Interagency Hotshot Crew, 1 Initial Attack crew, 4 Dozers, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 2 Water Tenders, 2 Arizona State DOC Crews, and miscellaneous overhead.