Bureau of Indian Affairs, Wildland Fire Management News Release
Contact: Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer, (928) 338-5425
October19, 2017
Prescribed Burning on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation
The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency Fire Management in coordination with the
White Mountain Apache Tribe began prescribed burn operations Wednesday, October 18,
2017. Several burn blocks are planned to be treated in the next few weeks. This week fire personnel will treat the following areas:
• Corduroy Burn Block: (located 3 miles south west of Hondah) A total of 539 acres have been treated to date. No planned ignitions for today but will resume on October 20.
• Beaver Burn Block (located west of Christmas Tree Lake and east of Horse Mesa Trap) A total of 209 acres have been treated to date. 300 acres targeted to be treated today.
• Turkey Creek Burn Block (located 3 miles east of East Fork) 300 acres targeted to be treated today.
• Coyote West Burn Block: (located 4 miles south west of Hondah) 729 acres targeted to be treated today.
The late fall prescribe burning conditions have low to moderate fire intensity which produces
beneficial post-fire effects. These small prescribed fires will help reduce fuel accumulation from
logging and thinning projects, decrease the risk of high intensity wildfire, and to protect
communities. Broadcast burns involve applying fire across the forest floor. Flames make their
way along the surface, consuming accumulated needles, leaves, branches, and logs while
recycling nutrients back into the soil. Broadcast burns typically produce the most noticeable
smoke.
Nearby residents should expect smoke in the vicinity and drivers should pay extra attention
while traveling through or adjacent to burn areas particularly along highway 60 from Carrizo Junction to Forestdale and along highway 73. All Prescribed Fire activity will be carefully monitored and will comply with smoke management guidelines to reduce the impact of smoke on local residents. If conditions become unfavorable prescribed burning efforts will be ceased to mitigate smoke impacts to the communities. The Burn Blocks are closed to the public throughout the duration of the burning operations.
Prescribed burning efforts will continue as long as weather conditions permit and targeted
acres are completed. Location and timing of burns will be identified on a weekly basis. If you
have any questions regarding our upcoming prescribed burning efforts; you can call Candy Lupe, Public Information Officer at (928) 338-5425.
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Candy Lupe
Fire Prevention Specialist
Fort Apache Agency
PO Box 560
Whiteriver, Arizona 85941
Office: (928) 338-5425