FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2024

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Starting June 6, 2024

ST JOHNS, AZ- On Monday, June 3, 3024, the White Mountain Fire Coordinating Group Voting Members met to discuss the current conditions of the forests throughout the region. The group, composed of representatives from federal and state forestry, BLM, BIA, Tribal, County, and local emergency response agencies, unanimously decided that current forest conditions warrant Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. The decision to enter restrictions was made by reviewing a number of factors, including fire potential outlook, energy release components (ERC’s), weather forecasts, local resources, and more.

Beginning Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., the unincorporated areas of Apache and Navajo County, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, State Trust Land, the City of Show Low, the Towns of Pinetop and Lakeside will enact Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions The following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire (unless noted in the exemptions below).

•  Smoking outside of designated areas.
• Use of any and all fireworks.
• Use of explosive targets.
• Use of tracer round ammunition.

Exemptions: An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

1. Persons obtaining a written “Special Use Permit” from the “Authority Having Jurisdiction” that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Fires used only for the cooking of food or for providing warmth for human beings or for recreational purposes (campfires and charcoal fires) in an area that is designated for that purpose and is barren or cleared of all debris for 3 feet in diameter around the device. Permissible items include propane fire rings, pellet stoves/smokers/grills that have UL or FM approval and are a contained unit. A person of appropriate age must maintain a presence at all times when in operation.
3. Smoking within enclosed buildings and inside vehicles is allowed. Smoking may also be allowed in or on porches, carports, garages, parking lots and other areas or properties which are cleared of all combustible materials so long as the smoking does not create a substantial risk of fire and all smoking materials are properly extinguished and disposed of. At no time is it allowed to discard lit cigarettes, cigars, or other smoking materials from a vehicle, or from ones’ possession in a public place. ARS 13-1603.a.1
4. Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices with UL and/or FM approval can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device. A person of appropriate age must always maintain a presence with the device when in operation.
5. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
6. Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads as per attached conditions.
7. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
8. All land within a city boundary is exempt unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.
9. Other exemptions unique to each “Authority Having Jurisdiction”.

“Fire restrictions are precautionary measures that help prevent human-caused wildfires and unnecessary dangers to first responders,” Navajo County Emergency Manager, Catrina Jenkins said. “With conditions as dry as they are, and no significant projected moisture for relief, this is the right time to enter restrictions.”

Although the region received snow/rain over the winter/spring, the moisture does not mean that fire restrictions are not necessary as the summer temperatures heat up. “Fire is a year-round threat to our region and our citizens and visitors must remain vigilant,” said Jenkins. Even with warnings from forest experts, some residents and visitors may still feel that the restrictions do not apply to them. Jenkins clarified that “restrictions apply to everyone, full-time/part-time residents as well as visitors, and no one is exempt from these rules”.

For more information and updates, please follow:

https://www.facebook.com/WMFRCG/

https://www.facebook.com/ApacheCountyEM

https://www.facebook.com/NavajoCountyEM

###

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. – April 16, 2024 – The Lakeside Ranger District plans to conduct prescribed fire operations on the Lakeside Ranger District starting as early as April 22 and may continue through May 15, 2024 as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations. Fire managers will be monitoring weather conditions leading up to, during, and after implementation to ensure conditions are favorable.
The Rodeo-Chediski Prescribed Fire project includes the Bear unit at 1,321 acres, and the Yellow Jacket unit at 1,186 acres. The Bear and Yellow Jacket Units are 3 miles to the south of Pinedale and to the east of Pinedale Estates along Forest Road (FR) 131, FR 300, FR 263, and FR 143.

A public meeting will be held at the Pinedale Work Center on Friday, April 19, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Forest Service Fire Managers and other fire officials will be in attendance to provide a briefing about the prescribed fire project, and will answer questions for those that may be impacted by smoke or are just interested in getting additional information.

Smoke may be visible from the City of Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, communities of Pinedale, Clay Springs, and Snowflake. Smoke could also travel across Highways 260, 77 and 60. Smoke could last for several days after initial ignitions take place but should be significantly less each day afterwards. Air quality information can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is a partner on this prescribed fire project which aims to improve wildlife habitat within hunting unit 3C. The burn treatment will improve range habitat for elk, mule deer, turkey, pronghorn, and bear. Prescribed fires support land management objectives by improving plant and wildlife habitat, reducing the threat of invasive species on the landscape, and help protect communities from extreme wildfires. This prescribed fire is within the Four Forest Restoration Initiative area (4FRI) and is part of the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy to reduce wildfire risk to nearby communities and natural resources.

Visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter)
###

SPRINGERVILLE, Ariz. – January 31, 2024 – Fire managers on the Lakeside Ranger District plan to continue prescribed fire operations on the Cabin unit slash piles. The project area is approximately 40 acres and is expected to be completed either today or tomorrow. Piles are composed of timber slash created from thinning projects or wildfire suppression activities and are treated to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations. Prescribed fire operations are contingent on multiple factors, including favorable weather conditions, air quality, and resource availability.

The Cabin project area is located 2 miles northeast of Lakeside, AZ. The project boundary is the Osprey Connector Trail, Forest Road (FR) 9712C, and FR 45. Fire crews will patrol the burn area each day until there is no threat of fire movement.
The objective for these prescribed fires is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations and minimize the risk of high-severity wildfires, aligning with the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy.

Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal and may be visible from Highways 60, 77, and 260. Travelers are advised to use extra caution when driving in the vicinity during project implementation.

Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).