Bureau of Indian Affairs, Wildland Fire Management News Release
Contact: Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer, (928) 338-5425
October19, 2017

Prescribed Burning on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency Fire Management in coordination with the
White Mountain Apache Tribe began prescribed burn operations Wednesday, October 18,
2017. Several burn blocks are planned to be treated in the next few weeks. This week fire personnel will treat the following areas:

• Corduroy Burn Block: (located 3 miles south west of Hondah) A total of 539 acres have been treated to date. No planned ignitions for today but will resume on October 20.
• Beaver Burn Block (located west of Christmas Tree Lake and east of Horse Mesa Trap) A total of 209 acres have been treated to date. 300 acres targeted to be treated today.
• Turkey Creek Burn Block (located 3 miles east of East Fork) 300 acres targeted to be treated today.
• Coyote West Burn Block: (located 4 miles south west of Hondah) 729 acres targeted to be treated today.

The late fall prescribe 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 to protect
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 particularly along highway 60 from Carrizo Junction to Forestdale and along highway 73. 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. The Burn Blocks are closed to the public throughout the duration of the burning operations.

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. If you
have any questions regarding our upcoming prescribed burning efforts; you can call Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer at (928) 338-5425.
—
Candy Lupe
Fire Prevention Specialist
Fort Apache Agency
PO Box 560
Whiteriver, Arizona 85941
Office: (928) 338-5425

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 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