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.

February 20, 2018; —The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Lakeside Ranger District will be burning 40 acres of slash piles on February 21 until completed, if conditions allow. The ignition area is on Timber Knoll just south of Ojo Bonito Estates on County Road 3163.

Smoke impact is anticipated along U.S. Highway 60 and within the Vernon Community. In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the pile burn as smoke may reduce visibility in the area.      

Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil and encourages new growth for a variety of plants used by wildlife and livestock. Pile burning allows land managers to reduce forest fuels and provide communities with increased protection from future wildfires. Prescribed fire operations are subject to cancelation due to unfavorable weather conditions.

All prescribed burns including pile 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.

For questions or concerns please contact the Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100, or dial 311 to reach the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System. Also, check out our website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/

February 20, 2018— Snow has arrived on the Mogollon Rim leaving many forest roads impassable and prompting a temporary winter closure of the Rim Lakes Recreation Area on the Black Mesa Ranger District. 

Roads affected by this closure include Forest Road (FR) 300/Rim Road from State Highway 260 west to the Coconino NF/Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests boundary, FR 105 to Woods Canyon Lake, FR 225, FR 34 south of the Black Mesa Work Center, FR 169 south of FR 169B, FR 149 to Willow Springs Lake, and FR 171 including the Mogollon Rim Visitor Center parking lot.

To provide for public safety the Rim Top Trailhead at the junction of Forest Road 300 and State Highway 260 is available for parking and snow play. There is no parking permitted along State Highway 260. Parking along the highway is dangerous and violators will be ticketed.  Parking along the Young Road is also discouraged due to public safety concerns.

While most areas remain open, traveling on forest roads is not advised during the winter and is at your own risk.  When exploring the forest in winter don’t overestimate the ability of your vehicle. If a road looks impassable, it likely is.  If you find that you are leaving ruts in the road, please reevaluate your need to enter the forest.  Visitors found to be causing ruts or other damage to forest roads are subject to fines for resource damage and are responsible for any costs incurred if they need a tow truck to pull their vehicle back onto solid ground.  No extraordinary measures will be taken to help remove personal vehicles and equipment that become stuck on snowy forest roads.  If you must venture into the forest, four wheel drive vehicles are recommended and always carry tire chains, extra clothing, blankets, food, water, and a cell phone. Remember to tell friends and family which roads you plan to travel and when you expect to be home.  Plan ahead and be safe.

For the latest information go to www.azdot.gov/KnowSnow or www.az511.gov or call 5-1-1 to reach Arizona Department of Transportation’s Traveler Information Center. For questions please contact the Black Mesa Ranger District at 928-535-7300 or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.