State Route 473 to Hawley Lake is the first of three highways in the White Mountains that will shut down this winter, beginning on Thursday, November 15th.

State Route 261 between Big Lake and the State Route 260 junction is scheduled to close on December 17th.

State Route 273 between Sunrise Park and Big Lake will close December 17th.  The four mile long portion of SR 273 between SR 260 and Sunrise Park will remain open to provide access to the ski area.

Heavy Snowfall could force earlier closures.

HIGH WIND WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM MST FRIDAY…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FLAGSTAFF HAS ISSUED A HIGH WIND WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM MST FRIDAY. THE HIGH WIND WARNING REPLACED THE HIGH WIND WATCH.
* TIMING…STRONG SOUTHWEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP AHEAD OF A COLD   FRONT FROM 9 AM MST THROUGH 8 PM MST FRIDAY.
* WINDS…SUSTAINED WINDS 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS FROM 45 TO 55   MPH WITH POSSIBLE WIND GUSTS AS HIGH AS 60 MPH POSSIBLE.
* IMPACTS…STRONG WINDS MAY CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING DUST   REDUCING VISIBILITY AS LOW AS HALF MILE TO A MILE AT TIMES.   TRAVEL WILL BECOME DIFFICULT FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED OR OCCURRING…WITH SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH OR GUSTS GREATER THAN 58 MPH. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS. ADDITIONAL WEATHER INFORMATION IS ON THE WEB AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV/FLAGSTAFF.
&&

Beginning the week of November 5, weather permitting, fire managers will begin broadcast burning approximately 1,000 acres of mostly piñon-juniper vegetation adjacent to the northwest end of Heber—near Forest Road 504 and the surrounding areas. Ignition is planned for three or four working days; while mop-up and patrol of the burn could last as long as a week after ignition is completed.

The prescribed burn is a part of ongoing efforts by the Forest Service to prevent future wildfires by reducing the build-up of hazardous fuels near at-risk communities. Thinning treatments took place in the area previously, and the burn represents the second step in reducing excess fuels. The burn is being completed using Title II funds previously recommended by the Eastern Arizona Resource Advisory Committee. The intent of these funds is to improve watershed conditions and overall forest health.

Beginning the week of November 12, weather permitting, fire managers will begin broadcast burning 790 acres in the Mineral Project Area, which is adjacent to Coon Mountain and approximately 5 miles southeast of Vernon.

The burn is a continuation of burning activities which began in October of this year and is being conducted in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The primary objectives of this burn are to reduce hazardous ground fuels, maintain an open forest composition created from past thinning treatments, and enhance wildlife habitat by increasing desirable browse species, particularly winter range for elk.

Some expected smoke impacts

Fire managers plan to minimize smoke impacts for these prescribed burns by targeting burn days with forecasted south or southwest winds, which should reduce settlement and transport smoke out of the area. However, some smoke impacts can be expected within the communities of Heber and Overgaard and Vernon, as well as along State Highways 260, 277, and 377 and U.S. Highway 60. Smoke may also be visible in communities north and east of the burns including Snowflake, Holbrook, Show Low, Springerville, and St. Johns. Smoke may settle at lower elevations and drainages during the evening, but it is expected to lift by mid-morning.

For more information about either burn, please contact the respective ranger district office.

xxx