Prescribed burning planned on the Lakeside Ranger District
Springerville, AZ, July 24, 2017 –The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Lakeside Ranger District plans to burn slash piles on roughly 100 acres of forest land July 24 through July 28, weather permitting. Ignition will take place on Timber Knoll just south of Ojo Bonito Estates. Smoke impact is anticipated along 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.
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Lakeside Ranger District will be burning slash piles today, July 24, if conditions allow. The ignition area is on Apache County Road 3140 and Forest Road 8 just north of Wishbone Mountain. Piles will be burned across roughly five acres of forest land. Ignition is planned for one day only and possible smoke impact is anticipated along Apache County Road 3140. 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. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large scale wildfire impacts to private lands. 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 Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100, dial 311 to reach the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System, check out our website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs/

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
902 AM MST Sun Jul 23 2017

Kaibab Plateau-Marble and Glen Canyons-Grand Canyon Country-
Coconino Plateau-Yavapai County Mountains-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas Hwy 264 Northward-Chinle Valley-
Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau-
Little Colorado River Valley in Coconino County-
Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County-
Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County-
Western Mogollon Rim-Eastern Mogollon Rim-White Mountains-
Northern Gila County-Yavapai County Valleys and Basins-
Oak Creek and Sycamore Canyons-Black Mesa Area-
Northeast Plateaus and Mesas South of Hwy 264-
Including the cities of Jacob Lake, Fredonia, Page, Lees Ferry,
Grand Canyon Village, Supai, North Rim, Valle, Prescott,
Seligman, Ash Fork, Keams Canyon, Kaibito, Canyon De Chelly,
Chinle, Kayenta, Window Rock, Ganado, Wupatki N.M, .Tuba City,
Winslow, Holbrook, Snowflake, St. Johns, Springerville,
Flagstaff, Williams, Munds Park, Heber, Happy Jack, Forest Lakes,
Show Low, Greer, Pinetop, Payson, Strawberry, Young, Cottonwood,
Camp Verde, Cordes Junction, Bagdad, Sedona, Navajo N.M., Dilkon,
and Kykotsmovi
902 AM MST Sun Jul 23 2017

…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM NOON MST TODAY THROUGH THIS
EVENING…

The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a

* Flash Flood Watch for all of Apache, Coconino, Navajo, Yavapai,
and northern Gila Counties.

* From noon MST today through midnight tonight.

* Monsoon moisture levels and instability will be at high levels
through this evening. Slow moving storms may produce 1 to 2
inches of rainfall. An upper level disturbance may move into
northern Arizona late in the day, which would enhance
precipitation coverage. Storm motion should be from the east-
southeast to north.

* Areas of particular concern are the Grand Canyon, Antelope
Canyon, Havasu Canyon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Flash Flood Watch Means That developing conditions May Lead To
Flash Flooding Within The Watch area. People…especially those
located along area creeks…rivers or other flash flood prone
areas…should continue to monitor later forecasts and be prepared
to take immediate action should flash flood warnings be issued.

The National Weather Service of Flagstaff reports the following flash flood information:

Widespread abundant moisture will combine with an upper level disturbance moving westward across the area today and into early Wednesday morning. Because of this combination there is an elevated risk of flash floods occurring across all of Apache, Navajo, Coconino, Yavapai, and Northern Gila Counties.

Storms will develop in the early afternoon hours similar to any normal monsoon day, however more widespread and stronger storms are expected to form near the disturbance as it moves west across northern Arizona Tuesday night into Wednesday. The strongest storms will have rainfall rates in excess of 1 to 2 inches per hour and could easily overwhelm flood prone locations. Because of this elevated threat, a Flash Flood Watch has been issued from 11 am Today until 7 pm Wednesday evening.

Flash Flood Watch

A flash flood watch means that developing conditions may lead to flash flooding within the watch area. People, especially those located along area creeks, rivers, or other flash flood prone areas, should continue to monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take immediate action should flash flood warnings be issued.

Flash Flood Safety

During a flood, water levels and the rate the water is flowing can quickly change. Remain aware and monitor local radio and television. Know what to do:

1. GET TO HIGHER GROUND: Get out of the areas subject to flooding
2. DO NOT DRIVE INTO WATER: Do not drive or walk into flooded areas. It only takes 6″ of water to knock you off your feet.
3. STAY INFORMED: Monitor local radar, television, weather radio, internet or social media for updates.