Public Service Announcement from the Apache County Public Health:

Apache County is experiencing smoke from a prescribed burn on the Alpine Ranger District and Springerville Ranger District in the Apache Sitgreaves Forest. The following information is to help the public respond to smoke issues.

Particulate matter is a component of smoke from wildfires and consists of fine particles such as soot and ash that can reach deep into the lungs and may contain irritating and toxic compounds. Some of the symptoms related to exposure to smoke from wildfires include:

• Eye, nose, mouth and/or throat irritation;
• Coughing;
• Trouble breathing;
• Tightness of the chest; and/or
• The onset of symptoms related to pre-existing respiratory ailments like asthma or emphysema.

If smoke from wildfires is affecting you and your family consider some of the following ac

If smoke from wildfires is affecting you and your family consider some of the following actions:

• If you smell smoke and/or are beginning to experience symptoms, consider temporarily locating to another area as long as it is safe for you to do so.
• Move indoors and stay there with doors and windows closed.
• Run the air conditioning, the fan feature on your home heating system with the heat turned off. The filtration systems on home systems can provide some benefit.
• Run room air filtration units.
• Reduce your physical activity level. Do not exercise.
• If symptoms persist or become more severe, please contact your primary health care provider – even persons considered healthy can experience symptoms when exposed to smoke from wildfires!

There are a few population groups considered especially at risk from exposure to smoke from wildfires.

• Elderly persons;
• Young children (especially children 7 and under);
• Individuals with pre-existing health conditions like asthma, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease; and Individuals with respiratory infections like colds or flu.

The ADEQ Springerville smoke monitor is operational and can be viewed at http://www.phoenixvis.net/PPMmain.aspx.

tions:

Prescribed burning planned on Alpine Ranger District

Springerville, AZ, October 17, 2017 — For Immediate Release — The Alpine Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning to conduct prescribed fire operations Wednesday, October 18. The district plans to burn approximately 200 acres of the Nutri 2 Unit, one mile south of Nutrioso and three miles west of Alpine.

The project covers approximately 2000 acres of Wallow Fire high severity burn area. This 200 acres test area will be used to determine future planned ignitions in this area. If the test burn provides favorable results and meets predetermined objectives, ignitions will continue the week of October 23-27.

Prescribed burning enhances wildlife habitat and watershed conditions, while promoting forest health and protecting communities from the effects of future high severity wildfire. This prescribed burn is made possible with a partnership between the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Forest Service to improve wildlife habitat and reduce forest fuels.

Smoke will likely travel northeast during the day and settle into Boneyard Creek area in the evening. Smoke may be visible from the communities of Alpine and Nutrioso, and from U.S. Highway 180/191. Motorists are advised to drive safely when approaching areas where prescribed fire activities may limit visibility and hinder fire personnel operations.

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

Little Springs Prescribed Burn

Springerville, AZ, October 13, 2017 – The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Black Mesa Ranger District plans to conduct a prescribed burn, weather permitting, within the Little Springs prescribed burn area starting on October 16 and possibly through November, or as long as it takes to complete the burning operation. This burn will be around the Forest Lakes area on the north side of Highway 260. The whole burn project will encompass about 1,900 acres and will take place along Forest Roads 99, 99A, 237, and Highway 260.

Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. This prescribed fire is a follow up to previous mechanical treatments within parts of the unit. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil and encourages new growth for a variety of plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large scale wildfire impacts to private lands. This will provide protection for the adjacent private lands including the community of Forest Lakes and the Ryan Ranch.

Once ignition occurs, crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.

For questions or concerns please contact the Black Mesa Ranger District at (928) 535-7300. Dial 311 for the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System, visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and our Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/.

Brady Park Prescribed Burn