The Fire crews will be on scene from the beginning of ignitions until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries. The Brush Pit, approximately one acre, is located north of the Benny Creek Campgrounds in Greer. During season, this site supports local landowners’ efforts to keep their community and their homes safe from wildfires providing a free drop-off site to dispose of green waste that would otherwise sit in yards, posing as a fire risk.
Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. This prescribed fire is a follow-up to previous hand thinning treatments within the unit. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil, and encourages new growth for various plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large-scale wildfire impacts on private lands.
Smoke will be visible from HWY 260, 60, and the communities of Greer, Hidden Meadows, Vernon, Springerville, and Eagar. All prescribed burns are approved through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) before ignitions begin. 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 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. To find helpful resources visit the ASNFs website at www.fs.usda.gov/detail/asnf/fire.
The public can obtain additional information via the following:
- Local Ranger Station: Springerville RD (928) 333-6200
- 311 Information at (928) 333-3412
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf
- Twitter: twitter.com/A_SNFs
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/
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