Whiteriver, Arizona – Fort Apache Agency Fire Management will resume prescribed burning on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation due to favorable weather conditions beginning Sunday, November 25, 2018. Prescribed burn operations will resume within various burn units from November 25 to December 7, 2018.

On Sunday, November 25, 2018, fire personnel will conduct pile burning within the Beaver Creek Burn Unit. The Beaver Creek Burn unit is located about 7 miles east of Whiteriver. Fire personnel will treat 300 acres of piles.

On Monday, November 26, 2018 fire personnel will conduct broadcast burning within the Corduroy or Coyote West Burn Unit. Both burn units are located southwest of Hondah. Fire personnel will treat between 300-500 acres a day.

Nearby residents should expect smoke in the vicinity and drivers should pay extra attention while traveling through or adjacent to burn units. 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.

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

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The Alpine Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning a five-acre broadcast test burn Tuesday, November 13, 2018. If favorable results are achieved after the test burn, the Alpine fire crew will continue with the 454 acre burn in the Chapache Unit (See Map). The units were thinned from 2003-09, with some areas being previously burned. This maintenance burn will reduce build-up of forest fuels and reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires in the Alpine and Tal-Wi-Wi communities. Additionally, this area may provide a safe anchor point for firefighters to directly attack a wildfire.

Ignitions will be dependent on weather conditions and occur throughout the mornings, which will minimize the adverse effects of smoke on the local communities. Smoke will be visible from Alpine, along portions of Arizona State Highway 180/191, and portions of Forest Road 249. Motorists are advised to drive safely as smoke may limit visibility. Fire personnel will monitor the burn until it is completely out.

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.

Springerville, AZ October 29, 2018 – The Springerville Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests plan to conduct a 300 acre prescribed fire operation Thursday, Nov 1st, 2018 in the Wallow West Prescribed area; Township 7N, Range 28 East to Township 6N, Range 28 East. Ignition is dependent on the weather.

The terminology used for the type of prescribed burn on Thursday is called a blackline. A blackline is used to reinforce a containment line. The containment line will be needed for the future prescribed burn operation in the Wallow West Prescribed Unit, 1A. The total acreage for the blackline is 300 acres. The total acreage for the Wallow West Prescribed Unit, 1A is just over 10,000 acres. The prescribed burn for the Wallow West Prescribed Unit, 1A is planned for the future, however, because burns are dependent on the weather, no date is available at this time. The Wallow West Prescribed area project will help reduce the fuels from the Wallow Fire.

Once ignition occurs, crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries. The burn may be canceled by fire managers if conditions become unfavorable.

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 Springerville Ranger District at 928-333-6200 or visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest’s website at: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf