Springerville, AZ, May 4, 2023 — The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests plan to conduct multiple prescribed fire operations beginning May 3 and continuing through May 20, 2023. The following prescribed fires will be initiated if conditions and approvals allow:

Lakeside Ranger District:

• Lakeside East-Antelope Unit Rx – May 8 through May 20. Location: Four miles to the southwest of Vernon, AZ. The project boundary is along and within County Road 3140, Forest Road three and four.  The public should expect to see smoke from Hwy 60 and possibly 260 and will diminish each day after ignition. Total acres: 1,008 acres.

Springerville Ranger District:

• Wallow West 3B Rx – May 8 through May 12. Location: The project area is located between Big Lake and Springerville adjacent to AZ State Highway 261. The unit is surrounded by a significant road system on all four sides consisting of dirt and graveled/paved roads. The unit is bound by Forest Road 409 on the west side, AZ State Highway 261 on the east side, AZ State highway 273 on the south and a two-track, dirt road, Forest Service Road 8403 on the north side. All roads are main routes of travel for many motorists visiting the Springerville Ranger District. All roads listed will serve as sufficient barriers to fire spread. Smoke will be visible from Greer, Springerville, Eager and possibly Nutrioso and Alpine. It may impact portions of AZ State Hwy 261, AZ State Hwy 273 and Forest Service Road 249 during implementation and possibly for a few days. Total acres 4,769.

• Wallow West 6 A Rx – May 8 through May 12. Location: The project area is bound by a significant road system along three sides. The West Fork of the Black River is a major perennial drainage and will constitute the western boundary. To the north, the boundary will be Forest Service Road 116 and Forest Service Road 249E which continues to the east and forms the eastern boundary of the unit. To the south, Forest Service Road 68C will be the southern boundary. Steepest slopes lie along the West Fork of the Black River Drainage. These areas that were once wet mixed conifer have been converted to open areas of grass with a heavy dead and down component. Bare ground and rock screes also cover much of the steeper slopes. The same is true of the NW corner of the unit. This area of wet mixed conifer is now open canopy grassland.  Smoke will be visible from Greer, Springerville, Eager and possibly Nutrioso and Alpine. It may impact portions of AZ State Hwy 261, AZ State Hwy 273 and Forest Service Road 249 during implementation and possibly for a few days. Total acres 2,434.

Stay up to date on news from the A-S at our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf, on Twitter @A_SNFs and on facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

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Apache-Sitgreaves, Alpine Ranger District plans pile burning

Springerville, AZ, April 21, 2023 — The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is currently working to begin District wide prescribed fire pile burning on the Alpine Ranger District, beginning 4/26/2023 and continuing until April 30, 2023. The following prescribed fires will be initiated if conditions and approvals allow:

• Approximately 25 piles are located approximately 22 miles south of the town of Alpine along Forest Service Road 576. The project boundary includes Forest Service Road 576 and Hwy # 191.  (Please see attached map.) Total Acres: 25.

Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires provide habitat diversity, recycle plant nutrients into the soil, and encourage new growth for various plants used by wildlife and livestock. They also reduce forest surface fuels which lessen the threat of large-scale wildfire impacts on private lands and communities.

Smoke will be a consideration in the vicinity of the prescribed fires depending on the weather and caution should be used when traveling in the area. Information on air quality and active prescribed fires can be found on Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s webpage: https://azdeq.gov/.

Stay up to date on news from the A-S at our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf, on Twitter @A_SNFs and on facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

Bureau of Indian Affairs, Wildland Fire Management News ReleaseContact: Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer, (928) 205-5662Email: candy.lupe@bia.goApril 18, 2023

HOP-COT SPRING PRESCRIBED BURN PLANNED FOR APRIL 20, 2023

Whiteriver, Arizona: The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency Fire Management in coordination with the White Mountain Apache Tribe are planning to conduct prescribed burning within the Hop-Cot burn unit on Thursday, April 20, 2023. If conditions are favorable, active ignitions will continue through Saturday, April 23, 2023. The Hop-Cot burn unit is located approximately 8 miles southwest of Show Low, Arizona and just west of Forestdale. A total of 806 acres are targeted to be treated. Active ignition will take one to three days, with some smoke visible in the burn area for up to a week after ignition operations are completed. The purpose of this burn is to reduce hazardous fuels and the chance for future high-intensity wildfires. Nearby residents should expect smoke in the vicinity. Drivers should pay extra attention while traveling through Highway 60 or adjacent to this burn unit. Officials expect smoke to dissipate quickly during burn days, but some smoke could linger in valley bottoms and drainages for short durations. If you are driving along the Hop-Cot prescribed burn area, please drive with care!

If you have any questions regarding our prescribed burning efforts, you can call Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer at (928) 338-5425 or you can log onto BIA Fort Apache Fort Apache Agency’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt.