Springerville, AZ; October 23, 2012 — Within the next month, weather permitting, fire managers on the Springerville Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests will begin broadcast burning approximately 1,500 acres near Coon Mountain, which is about 5 miles southeast of the community of Vernon and 20 miles northwest of Springerville and Eagar.

Fire managers plan to minimize smoke impacts by targeting burn days with a forecasted south or southwest wind, which should transport smoke out of the area. Ignition will take 3 to 4 working days; while mop-up and patrol of the burn could last as long as a week after ignition is completed. Smoke may impact local communities and travelers on U.S. Highway 60 until there is enough precipitation over the area to completely extinguish the fire.

The prescribed burn is a part of the Mineral Project Area and is being conducted in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, using Title II funds recommended by the Eastern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee. The primary objectives for this burn are to reduce hazardous ground fuels, maintain the open forest composition created from past thinning treatments under the White Mountain Stewardship contract, and enhance wildlife habitat by increasing desirable browse species, particularly winter range for elk. In the past, frequent low-intensity fires occurred in this area and helped shape a more open forest by removing small trees and brush that encroached upon open stands of timber. This intent of this prescribed burn is to mimic that natural fire process.

For more information about the burn, please contact the Springerville Ranger District Office at (928) 333-6200. Specific questions can be directed to Rob Lever, Fire Management Officer for the district.