All Planned Prescribed Burns are weather dependent

Springerville, AZ, October 29th, 2021 — Multiple districts on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are planning prescribed burns over the next three weeks (October 25th to November 12th). Prescription burn projects are being planned for the following locations:
Alpine Ranger District
• Wallow West Unit Four Rx Project, location will be FR 25 South to the Black River and West of FR25 to FR 25G on the East.
Springerville Ranger District
• Cerro Trigo Rx Project, location will be West of County Road 1323 and East of Whiting Homestead.
• 404 Rx Project, location will be South of FR 404 West of FR 61, North of FR 64A.
• Brady Park Rx Project, location will be South of FR 404, West of FR 404C, and East of FR 64.
Lakeside Ranger District
• Morgan Tank Rx Project, location will be South of SR 260 and ½ mile west of the Bison Ridge and Torreon developments, specifically South of FR 130 to FR 300, and East of FR 140 to FR 135.
Black Mesa Ranger District
• Heber/Overgaard WUI Rx, location will be South of Turkey Draw, North of FR 160 and associated dozer line, East of Hwy 260 and West of FR 86.
Smoke will be a consideration in the vicinity of the prescribed burns depending on the weather and caution should be used when traveling in the area.
Stay up to date on news from the A bar S at our website https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf, on Twitter @A_SNFs and on facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

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*** UPDATE 6:40p.m. 10/26/21 ***

Porter Mountain Road has been reopened.

PORTER MOUNTAIN ROAD IS CLOSED near the cinder pit, due to a serious accident until further notice. The only access to Porter Mountain Estates will be through Forest Service Road 182.

There is no estimated time yet on how long until the roadway is clear. Emergency crews are on scene now. Please avoid traveling on Porter Mountain Road until further notice.

Updates will be posted here or social media.

Springerville, AZ, October 12, 2021 — Fire managers on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are planning for the 2021 fall and 2022 spring prescribed fire burning season that is expected to begin in October of this year.

Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic or catastrophic wildfires.
The Forest Service’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, which includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. A healthy forest is a resilient forest that undergoes fire occurrences on a regular basis. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests works with partners, collaborators, and communities to clearly identify objectives and address concerns during the planning process for prescribed fires.

Officials recognize that impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed methods than in an uncontrolled wildfire situation. Additionally, fire managers will actively monitor atmospheric conditions daily and use strategies to minimize smoke impacts to rural developed areas.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.

Individual news releases will be forthcoming throughout the season, detailing specific information about each burn.

All prescribed burning on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ, if you notice smoke in the air, or to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html

Fire information for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests can be found at:
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/A_SNFs
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
• Website: www.fs.usda.gov/main/asnf/fire

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.