Arizona Department of Transportation:       

Drivers should plan for road work on SR 260 between Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside that begins March 19, 2018. Expect lane restrictions in work zone.

Arizona Department of Transportation crews are performing road-maintenance work on SR 260 between Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside that will require lane restrictions for up to three weeks.

Drivers should allow for extra travel time while the traffic restrictions are in place along a 4-mile stretch of SR 260 from milepost 343 to 347. The pavement work, which began today (Monday, March 19), will be done from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Only one lane will be closed at a time in the travel direction that crews are working. Crews will begin at Show Low and work towards Pinetop-Lakeside in 1/2-mile to 1-mile segments. The length of the active work zone will be based on the amount of traffic and  repair work required on certain portions of the highway.

Once crews complete the maintenance work from Show Low to Pinetop-Lakeside, they will work their way back up SR 260 to Show Low. Crews will be filling cracks in the pavement to preserve and extend the life of the state highway.

Schedules are subject to change based on weather and other unforeseen factors. For more information, please call the ADOT Project Information Line at 855.712.8530 or email Projects@azdot.gov. For real-time highway conditions statewide, visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Site at www.az511.gov, follow ADOT on Twitter (@ArizonaDOT) or call 511, except when driving.

Springerville, AZ, February 28, 2018 

The Springerville Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will be burning slash piles today, February 28. The district plans to burn two units just west of Greer, south of Arizona State Highway 260, and along Forest Road 87, totaling approximately 195 acres.

Ignitions will occur throughout the morning to minimize the adverse effects of smoke on the local communities. Smoke may be visible from Greer, along portions of Arizona State Highway 260, and portions of County Road 1122. Motorists are advised to drive safely as smoke may limit visibility.

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.

Pile burning allows land managers to reduce forest fuels and provide communities with increased protection from future wildfires.

Questions or concerns contact the Springerville Ranger District at 928-333-6200 or visit the ASNFs website at: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf

U.S. Forest Service, Tonto National Forest

PAYSON, Arizona, February 23, 2018

Tonto National Forest fire specialists will begin eliminating a combined total of about 200 acres of vegetative debris piles on Tuesday, February 26, 2018, near Pyeatt Draw Road and Control Road 64 in the Diamond Point summer homes area.  Residents and visitors can expect to see and smell moderate amounts of smoke during the four-day burning operation.  Smoke during the day will impact Diamond Point and Ellison Creek summer homes.  Residual smoke will impact Beaver Valley and Cold Springs in the evening.  Residual smoke may linger in these areas through Saturday, March 3, 2018.

For the area west of Tonto Village, during the day and evening hours, smoke will impact Highway 260, Tonto Village, Thompson Draw I and II, and Diamond Point and Ellison Creek summer homes.  Residual smoke will linger in these areas through Saturday, March 3, 2018.

Fire specialists will terminate ignitions by 3 p.m. each day to minimize the impact of smoke.  Signs will be posted on roads likely to be affected by smoke.  Motorists are urged to use caution and slow down for the safety of firefighters and the public.

Prescribed fire treatments are always dependent on conditions such as wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture content, and other variables.

In 2001, the Payson Ranger District began implementation of a far-reaching, long-range, landscape-scale, three-pronged fuels reduction strategy.  The achievable goal is to reduce catastrophic wildfire danger in Rim Country, to initiate the restoration of natural ecological systems, and to develop and foster sustainable forest conditions, wildlife habitat, and watersheds.