3/2/16 – The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, Lakeside Ranger District will continue burning a prescribed burn within the McCleve unit of the Rodeo-Chediski fire area. The McCleve Unit is 2,700 acres, located three miles south of Pinedale on Forest Service Road (FR) 130. (T10N, R19E, S25, 26, 35, 36 and T10N, R20E S29, 30, 31and 32). The prescribed fire block is surrounded by FR 130, 263, and 300. In early December 2015, the district completed approximately 1,000 acres of burning within the project area. Fire management proposes to burn an estimated 1,000 additional acres to complete this phase of the project. At a later date, the remaining 700 acres will also be treated.
Ignition may last several days, with daily smoke impact anticipated within area drainages. Smoke will be visible in the local area, from Arizona State Highway 260, Overgaard and Show Low.
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. Objectives of this project are to maintain and protect ponderosa pine stands while providing browse for wildlife. The prescribed fire is in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Habitat Partnership Committee.
Crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.
Questions or concerns contact the Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100 or by calling 311 or 928-333-3412. Also, check out the ASNFs website at: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf

3/2/16 – The Lakeside Ranger District is planning on burning the Show Low polishing ponds, weather permitting. They plan to burn approximately 40 acres. Minimal smoke impact is expected and may be visible from varying locations.
Prescribed burn location:
• Pintail burn: Located three miles north of Show Low on AZ State Highway 77 (T10N, R22E).
This prescribed burn is in cooperation with Arizona Game and Fish and City of Show Low, the burn is for wildlife improvement and maintenance of the wetland and riparian ecosystems in the Pintail Lake complex using prescribed fire to reduce dead fuels and stimulate new growth of wetland vegetation.
All prescribed burns are approved through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) before ignitions begin. The ADEQ monitors air quality and determines whether or not it will be a good day for smoke dispersion. Breaking larger burn areas into smaller acreages often limits the amount of smoke that impacts an area. Although smoke from prescribed fire can still be a nuisance, it is usually for a shorter time, and considerably less smoke than wildfires produce. If you are sensitive to smoke or have respiratory problems, consider staying indoors if possible.
Crews will be on scene from the beginning of ignitions until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.
Questions or concerns contact The Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100 or by calling 311 or (928) 333-3412. Also, check out the ASNFs website at: www.fs.usda.gov/asnf

3/1/16 – The person of interest from yesterday’s fatal shooting, Gabriel Barnes, has been located, detained and is being held for questioning. The incident occurred near Garibaldi Road, east of Snowflake. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the citizens of Navajo County for their support during this event.