FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Nov. 8, 2019 — Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns next week in areas that will lessen smoke impacts to surrounding communities.

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order and may occur on days other than noted, depending on favorable weather conditions. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Victorine

• When: Tuesday-Thursday (Nov. 12-14).

• Where: Approximately 6.5 miles southeast of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District office, west of Leonard Canyon. GPS: 34.540829, -111.104980

• Size: 2,900 acres total. Daily acreage varies upon the conditions. Day 1 is planned for 600 acres.

• Duration: This is a four-day burn operation.

• Type of Burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. This burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, protect private property, benefit wildlife habitat and improve forest health.

• Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are forecast from the southwest. Smoke should lift and disperse toward the northeast of the project area during the day. Overnight smoke could settle in the local burn area, Blue Ridge communities, and will probably drain down East Clear Creek. Smoke may end up in the eastern side of the Verde Valley until daytime temperatures rise enough to lift the smoke into the transport winds.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

• Additional Information: Each day the burn block will be ignited independently after the project's burn prescription and smoke impacts are evaluated.

   

  Maxwell Springs 1 & 2

• When: Wednesday (Nov. 13).

• Where: Five miles northwest of Flagstaff.

  GPS: 35.250812, -111.824213 & 35.263236, -111.806195

• Size: 833 acres total in two burn blocks.

• Duration: One-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. These burns are located south of Wing Mountain and north of Bellemont.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, Interstate 40 and the west side of Flagstaff. This will likely impact Fort Valley, Snowbowl Ski Resort area and possibly U.S. Highway 180.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Nov. 1, 2019 — Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns next week in areas that will lessen smoke impacts to surrounding communities.

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order and may occur on days other than noted, depending on favorable weather conditions. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Fort Valley 1 & 4

• When: Monday (Nov. 4).

• Where: Approximately 8 miles northwest of Flagstaff, near the Fort Valley Trailhead. GPS: 35.270153, -111.677685

• Size: 302 acres total, in two burn blocks.

• Duration: 1-day operation.

• Method/Type of burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn is an operation in partnership with the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Center, Northern Arizona University and the Ecological Research Institute to study the effects of consistent return intervals of low-intensity fire. 

• Smoke Impacts: With a westerly wind forecast, smoke should move northeast towards Schultz Pass. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, potentially impacting Doney Park, Baderville, Fort Valley, the U.S. Highway 180 corridor and Rio de Flag river drainage.

• Closures/Restrictions: The Arizona National Scenic Trail will be rerouted during the burn operations for visitor’s safety.

   

  Victorine

• When: Monday-Thursday (Nov. 4-7).

• Where: Approximately 6.5 miles southeast of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District office, west of Leonard Canyon. GPS: 34.540829, -111.104980

• Size: 2,900 acres total. Daily acreage varies upon the conditions. Day 1 is planned for 600 acres.

• Duration: This is a four-day burn operation.

• Type of Burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. This burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, protect private property, benefit wildlife habitat and improve forest health.

• Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are forecast from the southwest. Smoke should lift and disperse toward the northeast of the project area during the day. Overnight smoke could settle in the local burn area, Blue Ridge communities, and will probably drain down East Clear Creek. Smoke may end up in the eastern side of the Verde Valley until daytime temperatures rise enough to lift the smoke into the transport winds.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

• Additional Information: Each day the burn block will be ignited independently after the project's burn prescription and smoke impacts are evaluated.

   

  Slate 4

• When: Possibly Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 5-7), dependent on weather conditions and possible smoke impacts. An alternative to this burn is the Mint 4 & 5 project listed below.

• Where: Approximately 3 miles northeast of Kendrick Park. GPS: 35.437863, -111.705663

• Size: 2,528 acres total. Daily burn blocks will be smaller.

• Duration: This will be a 2- or 3-day operation.

• Method/Type of burn: This is an initial-entry broadcast burn using drip torches and helicopter aerial ignitions. The use of a helicopter is to ensure the burn is conducted in a quicker timeframe, as well as access areas typically unreachable for firefighters. The burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health and protect private property.

• Smoke Impacts: Due to this being an initial-entry broadcast burn, smoke will be thicker than normal, as forest fuels will be dense. Smoke is forecast to move toward the northeast, away from Kendrick Park and the U.S. Hwy 180 corridor. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn impacting Kendrick Park, White Horse Park and the U.S. Hwy 180 and 89 north corridors.

• Closures/Restrictions: The Arizona National Scenic Trail will be rerouted during the burn operations for visitor’s safety.

   

  Mint 4 & 5 (Alternate to Slate 4)

• When: Possibly Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 5-7) dependent on weather conditions and smoke impacts. This operation is an alternative to the Slate 4 burn operation.

• Where: Approximately 31 miles south of Flagstaff, immediately south of Mormon Lake Village. GPS: 34.848744, -111.452362

• Size: 754 acres total, burning 322 acres the first day.

• Duration: If selected as the alternate, this will be a 2- or 3-day operation.

• Method/Type of burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health and protect private property.

• Smoke Impacts: Smoke forecast is to move toward the west and southwest away from Bear Park community and the Lake Mary Road corridor. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, potentially effecting Bear Park, Mormon Lake Village and other communities near the Lake Mary Road corridor.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. 

   

  Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly by news releases throughout the season. Timely updates about ignitions and whether or not a project is cancelled can be found on the Forest's social media sites:

• Coconino NF’s Twitter account

• Coconino NF’s Facebook page

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2019 — As the weather continually changes this time of year, Coconino National Forest firefighters make plans to conduct prescribed burns and also alternate plans to focus on burns at locations where weather changes may help mitigate smoke impacts.

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order and may occur on days other than noted, depending on favorable weather conditions. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Sawmill

• When: Likely Monday (Oct, 28).

• Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Six miles south of Mormon Lake Village. North of Stoneman Lake Road on the immediate east side of Lake Mary Road. GPS: 34.8177200, -111.4269700

• Size: 800 acres.

• Duration: This is a one-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn is being conducted to reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, and to protect private property.

• Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are predicted to be out of the southwest, so smoke will disperse to the northeast of the project area. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas near Hutch Mountain.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. If smoke is on Lake Mary Road, traffic control may be used.

   

  Slate 4

• When: Possibly Tuesday (Oct. 29).

• Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. 16 miles north of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.446216, -111.703208.

• Size: 2,528 acres.

• Duration: One-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter. This burn is located in a strategic area to protect Kendrick Park, White Horse Park and Snowbowl Estates by removing dense forest fuels that could endanger the communities if a severe wildfire started in the area.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the north and then switch southerly later in the day. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn and White Horse Canyon. This will likely impact U.S. Highways 180, 89, Kendrick Park, White Horse Park and Snowbowl Estates. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker than normal.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

   

  Victorine

• When: Planned for Tuesday and Wednesday (Oct. 29 & 30).

• Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Five miles east of C.C. Cragin Reservoir along Leonard canyon GPS: 34.540840, -111.104972

• Size: 600+ acres per day (3,000 acres total).

• Duration: Four to five days (unlikely to be in the same week).

• Method/Type of Burn: Maintenance burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter to protect private lands and wildlife habitat.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the south. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn. Smoke could impact the local community and Payson.

   

  Upper Lake Mary 3

• When: Wednesday (Oct. 30). 

• Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. Approximately 15 miles southeast of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.014971, -111.463811 

• Size: 919 acres.

• Duration: This is a one-day operation. 

• Method/Type of Burn: This is a initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter. This burn’s specific objectives are to protect Pine Grove Campground and Lake Mary Road corridor from any southwesterly fire threats and to help lessen any potential wildland fires that may start near Pinegrove Campground. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker and more noticeable than a maintenance burn due to the amount of forest fuels in the burn area. 

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the southwest, which may impact Lake Mary Road in the area, Interstate 17, Mormon Lake Village, and Munds Park.  

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. 

   

  89A - Block 25

• When: Wednesday (Oct. 30).

• Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. Four miles southwest of Flagstaff adjacent to Fort Tuthill county park. GPS: 35.131526, -111.697872

• Size: 421 acres.

• Duration: One day operation.

• Method/Type of burn: This is an initial-entry broadcast burn using drip torches and conducted jointly with Flagstaff Fire Department. The burn is being conducted to reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, protect private property and helping the health of the forest.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the southwest away from I-17. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, Pumphouse Wash and Kelly Canyon.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. 

   

  Experimental Forest

• When: Friday (Nov 1).

• Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. Six miles northwest of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.272710, -111.691766.

• Size: 302 acres.

• Duration: This is a one-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. This burn is being conducted for fire research purposes and in partnership with NAU, RMRS, and Ecological Restoration Institute in order to measure things such as pine regeneration, tree mortality, and other factors associated with wildfire in this fire-dependent ecosystem. Note: the heavy fuels will be seen burning from U.S. Highway 180 for a week or longer. They look similar to a small campfires in the middle of the forest.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2019 — Fire managers have canceled all prescribed burns across the Coconino National Forest today after considering the high winds forecast by the U.S. National Weather Service.

Firefighters will focus on ensuring any prescribed burns on the Coconino NF from earlier in the week remain within their operational boundaries today and will look at plans for resuming important prescribed burns next week.

Information about any prescribed burns planned for next week will be distributed tomorrow through a news release.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 18, 2019 — With the weather staying temperate and dry, Coconino National Forest firefighters are planning to conduct prescribed burns next week near the Fort Valley area and Clints Well area if weather conditions and staffing remain favorable.

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Cragin Watershed Protection Project

•             When: Monday (Oct. 21), determined by conditions and staffing.

•             Where: 1.5 miles south of Blue Ridge Ranger Station. GPS: 34.582733,-111.174404

•             Size: 300 acres

•             Duration: This is a one-day operation.

•             Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. This burn will
              reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, and protect the local
              watershed. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker and more noticeable than a
              maintenance burn due to the amount of forest fuels in the burn area.

•             Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Smoke impacts
              are expected for Blue Ridge communities, Winslow, Holbrook and state Route 87. Cooling
              temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding Blue
              Ridge and the Moqui Draw. 

•             Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

Experimental Forest

•             When: Tuesday (Oct. 22).

•             Where: Six miles northwest of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.272710, -111.691766.

•             Size: 525 acres.

•             Duration: This is a one-day operation.

•             Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. This burn is being
               conducted for fire research purposes and in partnership with NAU and Ecological Restoration
               Institute in order to measure things such as pine regeneration,
               tree mortality, and other factors associated with wildfire in this fire-dependent ecosystem.

•             Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast and may impact
              U.S. Highways 180 and 89 north of Flagstaff. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause
              smoke to settle in the low-lying areas of Ft. Valley Ranch, Cheshire, and possibly Baderville.

•             Closures/Restrictions: None expected. However, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)
              will likely reduce the speed limit on Hwy 180 and impose lane restrictions where needed.

Slate 4

•             When: Wednesday (Oct. 23).

•             Where: 16 miles north of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.446216, -111.703208.

•             Size: 2,528 acres.

•             Duration: One-day operation.

•             Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter. This
              burn is located in a strategic area to protect Kendrick Park, White Horse Park and Snowbowl
              Estates by removing dense forest fuels that could endanger the communities if a severe wildfire
              started in the area.

•             Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling
               temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the
               burn and White Horse Canyon. This will likely impact U.S. Highways 180, 89, Kendrick Park,
               White Horse Park and Snowbowl Estates. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker
               than normal.

•             Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

Sawmill Project

•             When: Wednesday (Oct, 23) or Thursday (Oct. 24).

•             Where: Six miles south of Mormon Lake Village. North of Stoneman Lake Road on the
               immediate east side of Lake Mary Road. GPS: 34.8177200, -111.4269700

•             Size: 800 acres

•             Duration: This is a one-day operation.

•             Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn is being
              conducted to reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, and to protect
              the private property and help the health of the forest.

•             Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are predicted to be out of the southwest, so smoke will disperse
              to the northeast of the project area. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to
              settle in the low-lying areas near Hutch Mountain.

•             Closures/Restrictions: None expected. If smoke is on Lake Mary Road, traffic control may be
              used.

Maxwell Springs 1 & 2

•             When: Thursday (Oct. 24).

•             Where: Five miles northwest of Flagstaff.
               GPS: 35.250812, -111.824213 & 35.263236, -111.806195

•             Size: 833 acres total in two burn blocks.

•             Duration: One-day operation.

•             Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. These burns are
               located south of Wing Mountain and north of Bellemont.

•             Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling
              temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the
              burn, Interstate 40 and the west side of Flagstaff. This will likely impact Fort Valley, Snowbowl
              Ski Resort area and possibly U.S. Highway 180.

•             Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly by news releases throughout the season. Timely updates about ignitions and whether or not a project is cancelled can be found on the Forest's social media sites:

•             CoconinoNF’s Twitter account

•             CoconinoNF’s Facebook page

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 14, 2019 — Coconino National Forest firefighters are planning to conduct a prescribed burn tomorrow north of Flagstaff in the Fort Valley area and will continue other burn projects near Flagstaff and Clints Well during the week if weather conditions and staffing remain favorable.  

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.  

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur. 

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

 Experimental Forest

• When: Tuesday (Oct. 15).
• Where: Six miles northwest of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.272710, -111.691766.
• Size: 525 acres.
• Duration: This is a one-day operation.
• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. This burn is being conducted for fire research purposes and in partnership with NAU and Ecological Restoration Institute in order to measure things such as pine regeneration, tree mortality, and other factors associated with wildfire in this fire-dependent ecosystem.
• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast and may impact U.S. Highways 180 and 89 north of Flagstaff. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas of Ft. Valley Ranch, Cheshire, and possibly Baderville.
• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. However, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will likely reduce the speed limit on Hwy 180 and impose lane restrictions where needed.

       Cragin Watershed Protection Project (Moqui Lookout block)

• When: Tuesday or Wednesday (Oct. 15 or 16), determined by conditions and staffing.
• Where: 1.5 miles south of Blue Ridge Ranger Station. GPS: 34.570083, -111.168889.
• Size: 1,500 acres
• Duration: This is a one-day operation.
• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch. This burn will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, and protect the local watershed. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker and more noticeable than a maintenance burn due to the amount of forest fuels in the burn area.
• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, Moqui Draw, and possibly moderate to heavy smoke impacts expected for Blue Ridge communities and state Route 87. ADOT will assist with traffic along SR 87 if smoke impacts the roadway.
• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

 Frog Tank

• When: Wednesday (Oct. 16).
• Where: Immediately north of Munds Park. GPS: 34.957259, -111.645870.
• Size: 920 acres.
• Duration: One-day operation.
• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter. This burn is located in a strategic area north of the Munds Park community to remove dense forest fuels that could endanger Munds Park and Flagstaff communities if a severe wildfire started north of Munds Park.
• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn. This will likely impact the community of Munds Park and possibly reduce visibility on Interstate 17 during the morning hours following the burn and disperse by the afternoon. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker than normal.
• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

       Kachina - Block 2

• When: Thursday (Oct. 17).
• Where: Nine miles south of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.072046°, -111.711435°.
• Size: 291 acres.
• Duration: One-day operation.
• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. This burn is located in strategic areas near the communities of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands in order to keep fuels from accumulating, which could present dangerous conditions if a severe wildfire approached the area. This is the second and final block of the Kachina Project.
• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn. However, because this is a maintenance burn, there will be thinner forest fuels in the area, and this burn should only produce light smoke.
• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

       Cragin Watershed Protection Project (Jumbo block)

• When: Thursday (Oct. 17).
• Where: North side of C.C. Cragin (Blue Ridge) Reservoir. GPS: 34.564833, -111.224333
• Size: 3,000 acres
• Duration: This is a one-day operation.
• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches and helicopter aerial ignitions. The burn is being conducted to reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, and to protect the East Clear Creek Water Shed.
• Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are predicted to be out of the southwest, so smoke will disperse to the northeast of the project area. Nighttime patrols will be implemented along SR 87 to monitor overnight conditions.
• Closures/Restrictions: A portion of the Arizona Trail will be rerouted during the burn operation. 

Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly by news releases throughout the season. Timely updates about ignitions and whether or not a project is cancelled can be found on the Forest's social media sites:

• Coconino NF’s Twitter account
• Coconino NF’s Facebook page

Prescribed burn planned for tomorrow

Additional burns to occur next week

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 9, 2019 — Coconino National Forest firefighters are planning to conduct a prescribed burn tomorrow south of Kachina Village and will continue other burn projects next week if weather conditions remain favorable.

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Kachina - Block 1

• When: Thursday  (Oct. 10).

• Where: Nine miles south of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.072046°, -111.711435°.

• Size: 553 acres.

• Duration: One-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. This burn is located in strategic areas near the communities of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands in order to keep fuels from accumulating, which could present dangerous conditions if a severe wildfire approached the area. There are two blocks to the Kachina Project. Block 2 is planned for the following week.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn. However, because this is a maintenance burn, there will be thinner forest fuels in the area, and this burn should only produce light smoke.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

   

  Experimental Forest

• When: Tuesday (Oct. 15).

• Where: Six miles northwest of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.272710, -111.691766.

• Size: 525 acres.

• Duration: This is a one-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. This burn is being conducted for fire research purposes and in partnership with NAU and Ecological Restoration Institute in order to measure things such as pine regeneration, tree mortality, and other factors associated with wildfire in this fire-dependent ecosystem.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast and may impact U.S. Highways 180 and 89 north of Flagstaff. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas of Ft. Valley Ranch, Cheshire, and possibly Baderville.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. However, Arizona Department of Transportation will likely reduce the speed limit on Hwy 180 and impose lane restrictions where needed.

   

  Frog Tank

• When: Oct. 16 (Wednesday).

• Where: Immediately north of Munds Park. GPS: 34.957259, -111.645870.

• Size: 920 acres.

• Duration: One-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter. This burn is located in a strategic area north of the Munds Park community to remove dense forest fuels that could endanger Munds Park and Flagstaff communities if a wildfire started north of Munds Park.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn. This will likely impact the community of Munds Park and possibly reduce visibility on Interstate 17 during the morning hours following the burn and disperse by the afternoon. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker than normal.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

   

  Kachina - Block 2

• When: Oct. 17 (Thursday).

• Where: Nine miles south of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.072046°, -111.711435°.

• Size: 291 acres.

• Duration: One-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. This burn is located in strategic areas near the communities of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands in order to keep fuels from accumulating, which could present dangerous conditions if a severe wildfire approached the area. This is the second and final block of the Kachina Project.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings may cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn. However, because this is a maintenance burn, there will be thinner forest fuels in the area, and this burn should only produce light smoke.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

   

  Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly by news releases throughout the season. Timely updates about ignitions and whether or not a project is cancelled can be found on the Forest's social media sites:

• Coconino NF’s Twitter account

• Coconino NF’s Facebook page

VALLEJO, Calif.—March 20, 2020. USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region announced today that all new ignitions for prescribed fire have been postponed until further notice.

Potential smoke impacts to the public are considered in all prescribed fire and wildfire management. As always, we will work in coordination with local and state health organizations and make any necessary changes should the need arise. This decision to temporarily postpone ignitions will prevent any effects from smoke that might further worsen conditions for those who are at risk in our communities, while reducing exposure for employees who might not otherwise need to travel, and creating social distancing for resources working on the fire.

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Fire managers plan to prescribe burn about 35 acres in the Browns project area north of Weaverville/Hwy 3 tomorrow. Please see map of the project area, below, and more info on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6603/