*** UPDATE 6:40p.m. 10/26/21 ***
Porter Mountain Road has been reopened.
PORTER MOUNTAIN ROAD IS CLOSED near the cinder pit, due to a serious accident until further notice. The only access to Porter Mountain Estates will be through Forest Service Road 182.
There is no estimated time yet on how long until the roadway is clear. Emergency crews are on scene now. Please avoid traveling on Porter Mountain Road until further notice.
Updates will be posted here or social media.
Springerville, AZ, October 12, 2021 — Fire managers on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are planning for the 2021 fall and 2022 spring prescribed fire burning season that is expected to begin in October of this year.
Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic or catastrophic wildfires.
The Forest Service’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, which includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. A healthy forest is a resilient forest that undergoes fire occurrences on a regular basis. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests works with partners, collaborators, and communities to clearly identify objectives and address concerns during the planning process for prescribed fires.
Officials recognize that impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed methods than in an uncontrolled wildfire situation. Additionally, fire managers will actively monitor atmospheric conditions daily and use strategies to minimize smoke impacts to rural developed areas.
During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.
Individual news releases will be forthcoming throughout the season, detailing specific information about each burn.
All prescribed burning on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ, if you notice smoke in the air, or to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html
Fire information for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests can be found at:
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/A_SNFs
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs
• Website: www.fs.usda.gov/main/asnf/fire
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
1229 PM MST Tue August 17, 2021
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for:
Gila County in east central Arizona
Navajo County in north central Arizona
Coconino County in north central Arizona
Until 115 PM MST.
At 1228 PM MST, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles north of
Forest Lakes, moving north at 5 mph.
HAZARD – Quarter size hail.
IMPACT – Damage to vehicles is expected.
LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE:
Forest Lakes, Forest Road 169 Campground, Spillway Campground, Airplane Flat Campground, Gentry Campground, Canyon Point Campground, Forest Road 237 Camping Area, Rim Campground, Promontory Pit Road Campground, Woods Canyon Lake Campground, Canyon Creek Fish Hatchery, Black Canyon Rim Campground, Sinkhole Campground and Forest Road 171 Campground.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.