Emergency Information
Williams Ranger District to begin Elk / Lee prescribed fire project
A new prescribed fire project is set to begin next week on the Williams Ranger District and will likely progress into the months ahead as opportunities arise to use fire for beneficial restoration treatments on this piece of the Kaibab National Forest. The Elk Lee Prescribed Fire project is located about 10 miles southeast of the City of Williams and is 8166 acres in size.
The project will be broken up into smaller units for daily operations to minimize heavy smoke impacts and allow ventilation to move smoke out of the vicinity more rapidly. The specific units to be ignited will be chosen based on fuel moistures and weather conditions that are within prescriptive levels that meet fuels reduction objectives. A Helicopter will be utilized to conduct aerial Ignitions which will accelerate the overall length of time the project will last, and will also reduce the number of days smoke may linger in the atmosphere.
Officials understand 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 as opposed to an uncontrolled wildfire situation. To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
The Kaibab National Forest is part of a fire-dependent ecosystem. Fire on the landscape is critical to overall ecosystem functioning and the sustainability of local communities, watersheds and wildlife habitat. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety.
During operations, fire personnel and vehicles will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas. Hunters and campers are encouraged to seek alternative campsites away from the active fire vicinity while operations are occurring.
All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. (ADEQ) To view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website go to: smoke.azdeq.gov/
Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:
- InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
- Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
- Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311
Prescribed burns planned for next week on the Coconino National Forest
- 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.
- 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, Ecological Restoration Institute, and The Nature Conservancy 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Sheridan Fire Area Closure Lifted
Effective Friday, October 18th at 6:00 am, the Prescott National Forest will lift the fire related area closure for the Sheridan Fire in Camp Wood, north and west of Prescott.
The public is advised to have heightened awareness about potential safety hazards and exercise increased vigilance regarding personal safety and understand that potential hazards can still exist. Be aware of their surroundings, check current and forecasted weather conditions, let someone know where you will be camping, and keep a well charged cell phone with you.
Potential risks in any area recently burned by wildfire include the following:
- Burned out stump holes that could cause injury if stepped in;
- Unstable terrain with potential for rolling debris (boulders, logs, rocks, etc.);
- Unsound burned trees (snags) that could fall or drop large limbs;
- Storms resulting in flash flooding that could wash out roads, initiate debris flows, and entrap people at flooded stream courses;
- Eroded and very rough roads that could result in unsafe driving conditions
The public can obtain additional information via the following:
- Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
- Twitter: @PrescottNF
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
- Fire Information: (928) 925-1111
- Local Ranger Station: Chino Valley RD (928) 777-2200
Prescribed Burns planned on Oct 16 in the Bradsahw Ranger District
Fire managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to take advantage of favorable weather conditions and have planned to start treating the 79/80 and Waterfalls Prescribed Burns south of Prescott and Groom Creek, near the Lower and Upper Wolf Creek Campgrounds on Wednesday, October 16. All burning is weather dependent.
Fire managers will utilize tactics to keep smoke impacts as minimal as possible. These may include canceling approved burns when conditions aren’t favorable, timing daytime ignitions to allow the majority of smoke to disperse prior to settling overnight, and burning larger sections at a time when conditions are favorable to reduce the overall number of days smoke is in the area.
79/80: Broadcast burn unit. Approximately 662 acres located south of Groom Creek off Senator Hwy (FS Rd 52). Fire managers may be utilizing aerial ignition devices in addition to ground ignitions on this prescribed burn.
Waterfalls: Broadcast burn unit. Approximately 644 acres located south of Groom Creek off Wolf Creek Rd (County Rd 101). Fire managers may be utilizing aerial ignition devices in addition to ground ignitions on this prescribed burn.
In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of all prescribed burn units as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area. Drivers should be prepared for short delays adjacent to operations along roads.
Prescribed fires are one of the most effective tools available to resource managers for restoring fire-adapted ecosystems. These burns will mimic natural fires by reducing hazardous fuels accumulations, and reintroduce fire into a fire dependent system; recycling nutrients and increasing habitat diversity. Prescribed fires are managed with firefighter and public safety as the first priority.
All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather forecasts, fuels moisture levels and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as best as possible and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).
Messages will be posted to social media when managed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:
The public can obtain additional information via the following:
- Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
- Twitter: @PrescottNF
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
- Fire Information: (928) 925-1111
- Local Ranger Station: Bradshaw RD (928) 443-8000
Prescribed burn plans changed to mitigate smoke impacts
Ignitions scheduled to begin on two prescribed burns in Navajo and Coconino counties
On Tuesday, October 15, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management resumes ignitions to a pile burn project in Navajo County, northwest of Pinetop.
This is the second phase of the 35-acre Brownlow-Lee Rx Burn, four miles northwest of Pinetop, south of the Maverick gas station, on the south side of Highway 260.
Ignitions are scheduled for 7am and weather dependent.
Smoke may be visible to the Pinetop-Lakeside area during the day. Overnight, smoke is expected to move through Billy Creek toward Show Low.
Also tomorrow, DFFM crews begin the McCreary Rx Burn near Happy Jack, two miles north of Clint’s Well in Coconino County.
The McCreary Rx Burn is also a pile burn project aimed at reducing 475 acres of debris piles from prior fuels mitigation work in the area.
Smoke from this project will be visible from Lake Mary Road (Forest Road 3 or Highway 487).
Prescribed burning provides a variety of benefits to the landscape. It provides a more efficient way of removing leftover debris from fuels mitigation projects, reduces the risk of wildfires, stimulates forest health by ridding diseased vegetation, and helps to improve wildlife habitat.
The safety of our firefighters and the public is our first priority and the department monitors conditions closely before test ignitions even start. In addition, DFFM must obtain prior approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Burn information can be found on the agency’s Twitter and Facebook pages and will also be provided through the department’s mobile phone application.
To download the free app, go to the iTunes or Google Play store and search - Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
Prescribed burns planned this week near Flagstaff, Clints Well
- 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, Ecological Restoration Institute, and The Nature Conservancy 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
After temporary delay, fire managers optimistic to begin Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project on Oct 15
Kaibab National Forest fire managers will make another attempt at applying prescribed fire treatments on the first units of the Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project north of Williams beginning Tuesday of next week. The project was temporarily postponed last week due to unfavorable conditions that would have presented difficulty meeting objectives and managing smoke Impacts to the community.
Operations may continue throughout the week as weather conditions permit. Daily ignitions will only occur when environmental factors align with the required prescription that will achieve desired results and meet land management objectives.
The 7400 acre prescribed burn area is located just north of the City of Williams and Interstate 40, east of Forest Road 124, and west of Airport Road and Highway 64. Goals of the prescribed fire treatment include decreasing the threat of unnatural severe wildfire by reducing accumulated fuels, improving forest health, and reintroducing fire to the landscape that aligns with the desired historical condition.
The project will be broken into smaller units that will be scheduled to be burned on days that will help to allow smoke to disperse away from developed areas and ventilate quicker reducing the impacts to local communities.
Area residents can expect to see and hear a helicopter in the area, as aerial ignitions will occur on portions of the burn. Smoke will be highly visible from the City of Williams and from roadways and recreation areas in the general vicinity of this project. Specific areas from which smoke is likely to be noticeable include H.A. Clark Memorial Field airport, Kaibab Lake, portions of State Route 64, Valle, the City of Williams, and Interstate 40. Smoke is expected to lift during the day and travel northeast toward Red Lake Valley. However, cooler overnight temperatures may cause smoke to settle into low-lying areas surrounding the burn location.
Fire managers are aware that community members may be sensitive to the smoke produced, and they make every effort to limit the amount and duration of production. Prescribed fires with short-term impacts to air quality can help prevent future severe unplanned wildfires under unpredictable conditions with smoke that may pose significant risks to public health and safety.
To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
No road or trail closures are planned as part of the this project however access to Kaibab Lake will be temporarily restricted while ignition operations are occurring within the day use picnic and fishing areas. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active project areas.
All prescribed burns are subject to approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/
Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:
• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311
Coconino County confirms first flu cases of the 2019-20 season
Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) officials announced the first case of influenza for the 2019 – 2020 flu season in the County. The individual has recovered from the illness.
Due to the case, public health officials are reminding people to receive the flu vaccination (flu shot).
“Influenza can be a serious disease,” said Thomas Pristow, CCHHS Director and Chief Health Officer. “Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and then spread it to others. The first confirmed flu cases of the season are an important reminder for everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves and to protect others.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccination as the first step in protecting against flu viruses. It is strongly recommended that everyone 6-months old and over get a flu shot each year.
Flu shots are available by appointment from 8 a.m. –– 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, at the CCHHS Clinic, 2625 N. King Street, Flagstaff. Walk-ins are accepted as availability permits. Call the CCHHS Clinic at 928-679-7222 to make an appointment.
The cost for a flu vaccination at the CCHHS Clinic is $30. High-dose flu vaccinations are $50. As a courtesy, the CCHHS will bill the insurance company, but those seeking a flu shot should check with their insurance provider to determine whether they are covered and asked to bring their insurance card. No one will be denied services due to inability to pay.
Flu symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches and fatigue. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes and can cause death.
In addition to getting a seasonal flu shot, these actions can stop the spread of germs and help protect people from getting sick:
- Wash hands frequently during the flu season.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth with your upper sleeve or with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Don’t share eating utensils, cups and straws.
- Stay home when you are sick.
Additional information is available at www.coconino.az.gov/health. Contact your healthcare provider or call the Coconino County Health and Human Services Clinic at 928-679-7222 or toll-free at 1-877-679-7272.
Prescribed burn planned for tomorrow south of Flagstaff
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 integral research purposes and in partnership with NAU, Ecological Restoration Institute, and The Nature Conservancy 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:
Methods and Types of Prescribed Burns
There are two methods of prescribed burns mostly used on the Coconino National Forest—broadcast and pile.
Often, in areas of 50 or more acres or areas that are difficult for firefighters to reach, helicopters with aerial ignition devices are used to light broadcast burns, called such because the burn is widely broadcast across the landscape. Firefighters also use drip torches to create many lines of fire in a pattern that allows the strips of fire to broadcast and burn together over a sizable area. This is done so large areas can be burned in a shorter amount of time so communities aren't impacted by smoke for long periods of time.
Pile burns involve burning slash piles created from hand-thinning or timber projects. These are mostly conducted during cooler winter months—often when snow is on the ground—in order to burn the piles in safer conditions.
There are two types of prescribed burns, which include initial-entry or maintenance. Initial-entry burns are termed such if an area where a prescribed burn is going to take place has not seen fire in many years. This means forest fuels will be more dense and produce more smoke than a maintenance burn. Maintenance burns involve areas that have seen fire within the last couple of years and have less forest fuels that will produce less smoke. Maintenance burns are done so forest fuels can be maintained and consumed at regular intervals, helping keep forest fuels from accumulating over the years.
Prescribed burns are always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed burns on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino National Forest burns begin with the Burn Number designation “COF.”
For more information about prescribed burns and the benefits of these fires across the landscape, please visit our Prescribed Burns and Smoke webpage. As well, if you are interested in how prescribed burns are planned and implemented, please see the document "Planning for and Implementing Prescribed Fire in Fire-Dependent Forests," by NAU’s Ecological Restoration Institute.
High Pollution Advisory Issued for PM-10 effective Oct. 10 in the Yuma area
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is issuing a High Pollution Advisory (HPA) for course particulate matter (PM-10) effective October 10 in the Yuma area. PM-10 is made up of small particles found in dust. ADEQ recommends that people limit outdoor activity while the HPA is in effect, especially children and adults with respiratory problems.
Check the Hourly Air Quality Forecast on the Air Arizona Mobile App
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Health Impacts
People most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution include children, older adults, adults exercising outdoors and people with heart or lung disease and those suffering from asthma and bronchitis. Exposure can increase the number and severity of asthma attacks, cause or aggravate bronchitis or other lung disease and reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. Symptoms may include itchy eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain and upper respiratory issues. Long-term exposure is linked to premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat and decreased lung function.
Please help reduce PM-10 by doing one or more of the following:
- Avoid dirt roads.
- Avoid the use of leaf blowers.
- Ride transit, carpool or telework.
- Eliminate all unnecessary driving and/or combine trips.
- Use gas or electric instead of burning wood
- Limit the lighting of fireworks
- If burning wood for heat or food preparation, use dry wood (burning wet wood releases more particulate matter)
BACKGROUND
High Pollution Advisory (HPA) | Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is forecast to exceed the federal health standard.
Health Watch (HW) | Notifies the public that the level of an air pollutant is forecast to approach the federal health standard.
Particulate Matter Fact Sheet | View >
Ozone Fact Sheet | View >
FIND THE FORECAST
ADEQ Air Quality Hourly Forecast | View >
Text or Email Alerts | Subscribe >
Air Arizona Mobile App | Learn More >
Water Quality Alert: ADEQ continues to caution against contact with water in Nogales Wash due to intermittent sanitary sewer overflows from Nogales, Sonora
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) continues to caution against contact with water in the Nogales Wash and Potereo Creek due to an on-going potential for intermittent sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) in a tunnel under the international border. This tunnel was built to transport stormwater from Nogales, Sonora to the Santa Cruz River.
In January 2019, ADEQ notified the public of the SSO potential, due to pump failures at the wastewater treatment plant in Nogales, Sonora. While the pumps have been repaired or replaced, an issue with electrical connections continues to be addressed. The U.S. and Mexico sections of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) are in contact with the utility in Nogales, Sonora, which is working to resolve factors contributing to the intermittent SSOs. ADEQ continues to monitor the situation and is also in contact with IBWC, the utility in Nogales, Sonora, the City of Nogales, Arizona and the Santa Cruz County Health Department.
During storm runoff, water levels may be higher than normal in local washes. Normally, there is persistent low flow in the Nogales Wash from a natural spring, plus water runoff and discharge originating in Nogales, Sonora. This water is not due to an SSO, but an SSO can mix with this water.
ADEQ urges people to avoid access to local washes in this area. This recommendation is based on potential health risks to people and animals from contact with raw sewage associated with the SSO. Untreated sewage carries pathogens that pose a risk to human health and the environment. People and animals that come into contact with untreated sewage are at risk of infection from those pathogens. Depending on volume of flow and frequency, an SSO could threaten the Santa Cruz River.
Recommended Actions:
- Avoid contact with the water in this area, including wading, drinking and washing. If you have contact with the water, rinse using soap and clean water immediately.
- Take care that pets and livestock do not drink potentially affected water. Pets can be especially susceptible because they tend to drink while in the water and lick their fur after exposure. Rinse pets using soap and clean water.
- If you think that your health or that of your pet or livestock has been affected from exposure to raw sewage, seek medical treatment immediately. Be sure to tell the medical professional about contact with the SSO. Also, make sure to advise your local county public health department about the exposure details.
For more information, visit the resources below:
Prescribed Fire Projects Continuing on Tusayan Ranger District This Week
Kaibab National Forest fire managers will be continuing work on two prescribed fire projects located on the Tusayan Ranger District beginning this week. Crews are expecting to treat approximately 680 acres over a four day period on the Reed project located approximately 2 miles east of the town of Tusayan. An additional 300 acres on the Russell project located about 10 miles southeast of Tusayan is expected to be completed in about two days.
As with all prescribed fire burns, these projects will only be initiated when forest and weather conditions are conducive to achieving desired effects that meet land management objectives.
Smoke may be visible at times from highway 64, the town of Tusayan, and adjacent communities of Grand Canyon. Managers can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively by burning smaller units each day lessening the overnight Impacts to developed areas. Smoke and air quality will be monitored very closely as these projects move forward.
Some of the units to be treated will be adjacent Arizona Trail however the trail will remain open during these operations. Users should be aware of fire activity in the vicinity and use caution when passing through the area. No major Impacts are expected to interfere with hikers on the trail.
During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active project areas.
All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed
burns authorizations, please visit www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html. Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:
· Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
· Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
· Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
· Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
Lakeside Ranger District burning slash piles
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests’ Lakeside Ranger District will be burning slash piles October 7 through October 11 if conditions allow. The ignition areas are on the Billy Timber Sale, Unit 9, just North of Stone Pine Estates along Buck Springs Road and Fleming/Mortimer Commercial Fuelwood Sales located on Porter Mountain Rd and Forest Service Road 283. Scattered piles will be burned across roughly 38 acres of forest land. Possible smoke impact is anticipated along Highway 260, Pinetop Country Club and Sky Hi Retreat from the Billy Mountain Timber Sale Pile Burn. Possible smoke impact on Porter Mountain Rd and Highway 60 from the Fleming/Mortimer Prescribed Burn.
In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the pile burn as smoke may reduce visibility in the area. Smoke may be visible from the communities of Show Low, Vernon and Pinetop-Lakeside.
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.
Crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries. Prescribed fire operations are subject to cancelation due to unfavorable weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstance.
For questions or concerns please contact the Lakeside Ranger District at (928) 368-2100, or dial 311 to reach the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System.
Black Mesa Ranger District continues Nagel Prescribed Burn
The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest's Black Mesa Ranger District plans to conduct burning operations within Burn Blocks 13,17,19,20 of the Nagel Forest Health Prescribed Burn area, if weather conditions allow, from October 7 to October 18. Burn Block 13 and 17 will be West of FR 717, South of FR 100, and East of FR 9429. Burn Blocks 19 and 20 will be along FR 169, West of FR 180 and the 9401 and East of FR 9412R and South of FR 9403Q and FR 100. The burn will encompass approximately 2,636 acres.
Once ignition occurs, crews will be on scene from ignition until there is no longer a threat of escape from the project boundaries.
This project is in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to provide forest restoration and health to the Rocky Mountain Elk, mule deer, and other wildlife species that frequent the area.
Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. This prescribed fire is a follow up to previous mechanical treatments within parts of the unit. 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.
Smoke will be visible from the surrounding communities of Forest Lakes, Heber/Overgaard, and Winslow including Hwy 260 and I-40.
For questions or concerns please contact the Black Mesa Ranger District at (928) 535-7300, or dial 311 for the Northeastern Arizona Public Information System.
Firefighters responding to Hill Fire north of Flagstaff
Wildland firefighters are responding with ground crews and multiple engines to a wildfire in the Schultz Pass between Mt. Elden and the San Francisco Peaks.
The Hill Fire, last reported at 2 acres and growing, was reported just after 3 p.m. today by members of the public who called in a smoke report.
Smoke will be visible from Flagstaff and other local communities. The public should use extreme caution when driving on U.S. Highway 180 north of Flagstaff as firefighting vehicles and personnel will be using the highway to respond.
More information about this fire will be posted on our Twitter and Facebook accounts as news develops.
Fire crews to conduct one-day burn operation on Marteen Prescribed Fire Project on Williams Ranger District
A one day prescribed fire operation is scheduled to occur on Saturday Oct 5 on the Williams Ranger District approximately 6 miles northwest of the community of Spring Valley. Aerial ignitions will be used to ignite an 1872 acre unit of the Marteen Prescribed fire project. This burn is expected to be completed in one operational period.
The unit being treated is situated within the Marteen Wildfire burn scar from 2008. Maintenance burning in previously burned areas such as this help consume accumulations of dead and down woody debris left behind from the original wildfire that occurred years earlier.
Smoke will be visible from Highway 180 and State Route 64 near Valle. Smoke may transport to the east and northeast in the vicinity of Kendrick Park on the north side of Kendrick Mountain during the day, with overnight residuals moving northwest up Spring Valley Wash into the area south of Valle. However, smoke production and duration will be very short and minimal by the following day.
To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
During operations, fire personnel and vehicles will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas. Hunters and campers are encouraged to seek alternative campsites away from the active fire vicinity while operations are occurring.
All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. (ADEQ) To view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website go to: smoke.azdeq.gov/
Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:
- InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
- Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
- Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311
Museum Fire closure area to be reduced Friday
The Coconino National Forest is reducing the size of the area closure for the Museum Fire on Friday (Oct.4) to allow for increased access and recreation on parts of Mt. Elden.
The Burned Area Emergency Response team has completed treatments to the land, including mulching with a helicopter in effort to stabilize the watershed and encourage recovery. Now that this important work is complete, the public will be allowed in additional areas of the burned area.
Although additional areas are open, the public is urged to use caution, as hazards still exist such as ash pits, rolling rocks, weakened trees, falling trees and possible floodwaters.
Some areas will remain closed that pose a continued and increased risk to visitors. These areas will be re-evaluated after the winter season to see what risks can be mitigated before opening to the public.
Portions of Forest Road 789 and FR 6353 marking the restricted-area boundary are OPEN to non-motorized use only. Elden Lookout Road (FR 557) is closed to all traffic where it intersects with the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Please see the official closure order and map for details.
The following trails will be OPEN:
- Arizona National Scenic Trail (ANST)
- Heart Trail
- Little Bear Trail
- Little Gnarly
- Lower Oldham Trail from Buffalo Park to the ANST junction
- Rocky Ridge Trail from ANST to Schultz Creek Trail
- Schultz Loop Trail
- Sunset Trail from the intersection of Schultz Tank to Little Bear Trail
The following trails will remain CLOSED:
- Brookbank Trail (entire trail)
- Lower Oldham, from ANST to Brookbank Trail
- Rocky Ridge Trail, from ANST to Brookbank Trail
- Sunset Trail, from Little Bear Trail to Elden Lookout Trail
- Upper Oldham Trail (entire trail)
For more information about the Mt. Elden area, please call the Flagstaff Ranger District at 928-526-0866.
Fire crews make progress on completion of Ikes Fire control lines
Since the wind event that occurred last weekend, fire managers have been implementing a plan to stop the growth of the 11,000-acre Ikes Fire, which is located on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.
Fire crews have been completing burnout operations over the last week along Forest Road 271 from the Grand Canyon rim to the junction of Forest Road 206. On Monday, crews began extending these operations along forest roads 206 and 4008, which connected the burnout preparation work to a point on the main portion of the Ikes Fire that burned earlier in the summer. This additional work involved about 2 miles of fire line burnout, which crews successfully completed yesterday.
In addition to the work along forest roads, the Flaming Gorge Fire Use Module began treating the area along the rim of the Grand Canyon with a burnout process that will prevent any further movement of the wildfire from the plateau area into the canyon. It will also make the area on the plateau resistant to any fire movement up and out of the canyon. Firing operations may continue into the weekend, which could result in smoke impacts similar to those that have occurred over the last two days. Smoke impacts will moderate as soon as burnout operations are completed.
The Ikes Fire remains at about 11,000 acres in size. Acreage totals may increase as burnout operations are completed over the next few days. In addition to hand ignitions, fire managers may use a helicopter to conduct aerial ignitions.
An expanded area closure is in effect on the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest in order to ensure public and firefighter safety during ongoing fire operations. The closure includes the Rainbow Rim Trail area and the viewpoints from Parissawampitts Point to Stina Point. Crazy Jug Point north of Parissawampitts is open. The Kaibab National Forest will reopen the area as soon as conditions are safe for public entry.
For hikers and mountain bikers, the Arizona National Scenic Trail is an alternative recreational opportunity while the Rainbow Rim Trail is closed. The Arizona National Scenic Trail is accessible from many points along Highway 67 and offers a variety of scenery, including views into the Grand Canyon.
Highway 67 and the North Rim Village, North Rim Lodge and businesses are open. However, some road and trail closures are in effect for the Ikes Fire area within Grand Canyon National Park. The following roads and trails are closed on the North Rim:
- Powell Plateau Trail
- North Bass Trail
- Fire Point
- Swamp Point
- W4 road north of the intersection of the W4 and W1 roads
Smoke from the Ikes Fire has been more visible over the last few days due to the burnout operations. Visitors traveling to the area should be aware of possible smoke along Highway 67. Visitors are asked to drive carefully and turn headlights on for safety. For local air quality and related information, please visit the following websites: www.airnow.gov or the Smoke Management Division of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at https://azdeq.gov/SmokeManagemet.
More information can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6475/. Visit www.nps.gov/grca/learn/management/firemanagement.htm for additional information about wildland fire at Grand Canyon National Park.
For information about the Kaibab National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab or @KaibabNF on Facebook and Twitter.
Three Sisters Prescribed Fire project near Williams to begin this week
Kaibab National Forest fire managers will begin implementing prescribed fire treatments on the first units of the Three Sisters Prescribed Fire Project near Williams beginning Friday of this week. The project is expected to take multiple days to complete, however ignitions will only occur on days that will be most effect for meeting objectives and minimizing smoke impacts to the adjacent rural areas.
The 7400 acre prescribed burn area is located just north of the City of Williams and Interstate 40, east of Forest Road 124, and west of Airport Road and Highway 64. Goals of the prescribed fire treatment include decreasing the threat of unnatural severe wildfire by reducing accumulated fuels, improving forest health, and reintroducing fire to the landscape that aligns with the desired historical condition.
The project will be broken into smaller units that will be scheduled to be burned on days that will help to allow smoke to disperse away from developed areas and ventilate quicker reducing the impacts to local communities.
Area residents can expect to see and hear a helicopter in the area, as aerial ignitions will occur on portions of the burn. Smoke will be highly visible from the City of Williams and from roadways and recreation areas in the general vicinity of this project. Specific areas from which smoke is likely to be noticeable include H.A. Clark Memorial Field airport, Kaibab Lake, portions of State Route 64, Valle, the City of Williams, and Interstate 40.
Smoke is expected to lift during the day and travel northeast toward Red Lake Valley. However, cooler overnight temperatures may cause smoke to settle into low-lying areas surrounding the burn location.
Fire managers are aware that community members may be sensitive to the smoke produced, and they make every effort to limit the amount and duration of production. Prescribed fires with short-term impacts to air quality can help prevent future severe unplanned wildfires under unpredictable conditions with smoke that may pose significant risks to public health and safety.
To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
No road or trail closures are planned as part of the Three Sisters prescribed fire project. However, during operations, fire personnel and vehicles will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active project areas.
The Kaibab National Forest is part of a fire-dependent ecosystem. Fire on the landscape is critical to overall ecosystem functioning and the sustainability of local communities, watersheds and wildlife habitat.
Prescribed burns are always dependent on weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Members of the public may view approved prescribed burns for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/
Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly by news releases throughout the year and through the following sources:
- InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
- Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
- Fire Information Recorded Hotline: (928) 635-8311
