Arizona Emergency Information Network

Prescribed burns planned around Flagstaff January 28-31, 2025 judy.kioski@az… Fri, 01/24/2025 - 15:48 Search Bulletin Prescribed burns planned around Flagstaff January 28-31, 2025

Area fire managers plan to continue work on local prescribed fire projects – including broadcast burning and pile burning – next week while northern Arizona’s wind and weather conditions remain favorable to do so.

Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Coconino National Forest fire managers aspire to continue work on this week’s Crater Sinks prescribed burn project located roughly 12 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

Additionally, Coconino National Forest fire managers hope to begin work on pile burns located in various locations around the Flagstaff Ranger District.

Should wind and weather conditions become unfavorable, ignitions will be halted and project plans will be postponed, changed or canceled.

The Coconino National Forest uses the Coconino NF Prescribed Burn Projects InciWeb page to relay last-minute project changes with the public.

Prescribed burns are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Arizona Department of Environment Quality. Prescribed burns may be changed or canceled last-minute if burn conditions do not meet criteria outlined in advance.

Crater Sinks (West Fork)

• Dates: Jan. 28-31
• Location: 8 miles west of Kachina Village, roughly 12 miles southwest of Flagstaff. 
• Size: Roughly 1,055 acres total in addition to the 1,700 acres treated this week.
• Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn. Broadcast burning means firefighters will spread the fire across the landscape using drip torches, effectively 'broadcasting' the fire with low intensity across the landscape. Maintenance burns usually mean wildfire has recently been through the area, which tends to mean less smoke since forest fuels will not be as thick or built up over time. 
• Smoke Impacts: Smoke will likely be noticeable from Flagstaff, Sedona, Oak Creek and Verde Valley areas. There may potentially be smoke impacts to state Route 89A, Interstate 17 and Interstate 40.
• Why: This prescribed burn will reduce hazardous fuels in the area. By reducing hazardous fuels, such as pine litter and dried needlecast, during times of cooler weather and lower winds, fire managers can create a buffer zone to safeguard communities and infrastructure from the risk of catastrophic wildfire during peak wildfire season.
• Notes: No formal closure orders will be issued, but members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.
   

Flagstaff Ranger District pile burns

Coconino National Forest fire managers plan to begin pile burns as soon as weather conditions are suitable.

While fire managers will not conduct work on the following project all at once, fire managers will begin work next week on the following projects as conditions allow.

Upcoming pile burn work is planned early next week for the following locations:

• Willard Pit (Near the junction of Interstate 17 and Willard Springs Road)
• Snowbowl Road (Along Snowbowl Road 2 miles north of U.S. Route 180)
• White Horse Pit (Near the junction of Hart Prairie Road and Freedline Drive)

Smoke Impacts

Fire managers take air quality concerns seriously and seek to minimize smoke impacts to the greatest extent possible. Despite the benefits of prescribed burns, we are aware that members of the community can be sensitive to the smoke produced. We coordinate closely with partners to keep communities informed about projects and potential smoke, as well as try to mitigate impacts to communities as much as possible. One tool to use to track air quality and smoke impacts is fire.airnow.gov.

A new Smoke Complaint Hotline has been established for the public at 928-226-4608 for the public to leave their name and number if they would like to speak to fire leadership regarding smoke impacts and prescribed burn concerns.

*/ /*-->*/ Source Coconino National Forest January 24, 2025 - 03:56pm Keyword Coconino National Forest Flagstaff prescribed burns Crater Sinks West Fork Kachina Village smoke pile burns

Pile Burning planned in the Prescott Basin on the Bradshaw Ranger District judy.kioski@az… Fri, 01/24/2025 - 14:54 Search Bulletin Pile Burning planned in the Prescott Basin on the Bradshaw Ranger District

Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to burn piles of debris in and around the Prescott Basin. Ignitions are planned to start on Monday January 27 and continue through March 31 as favorable weather conditions allow. Fire managers expect smoke impacts to be light and visible from multiple locations including Prescott, Chino Valley, and surrounding areas.

In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the pile burns as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.

The purpose of this project is to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland urban interface and increase ecosystem and community resilience following thinning and fuelwood removal activities. Reducing hazardous fuels helps reduce the threat of high-severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property, and area communities.

All prescribed fire activity is dependent on several different factors which fire managers closely monitor prior to and during prescribed fire implementation.  These factors include availability of personnel and equipment; weather, fuels and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible; and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).

For fire information please call Prescott National Forest at (928) 443-8000; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

 

*/ /*-->*/ Source Prescott National Forest January 24, 2025 - 03:02pm Keyword Prescott National Forest Prescott Basin Bradshaw Ranger District pile burning Chino Valley Prescott

Crews to begin winter pile burning on the Kaibab National Forest judy.kioski@az… Fri, 01/24/2025 - 14:17 Search Bulletin Crews to begin winter pile burning on the Kaibab National Forest

Fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest will be conducting prescribed pile burns throughout the 2025 winter season as conditions safely allow. Winter is often the ideal time for crews to burn piles of slash and woody debris left over from forest thinning projects because colder temperatures and snow help moderate fire behavior and keep it from spreading beyond the piles. Approximately 2,190 acres of piles on the Tusayan Ranger District, 5,500 acres on the Williams Ranger District, with additional acres of piles on the North Kaibab Ranger District are slated for burning this season.

With winter precipitation in the forecast for this weekend, crews on the Tusayan Ranger District anticipate conducting pile burns Monday, January 27, 2025, with up to 1,420 acres of hand piles located along Forest Road 302 and State Route 64 south of the Town of Tusayan near the Grand Canyon National Park Airport. The piles can be seen from the town and highway and smoke will be visible during ignitions. The piles are relatively small-in-size and will consume quickly. Little to no smoke impacts are expected. Cooler overnight temperatures may cause smoke to settle into low-lying drainages surrounding these burn locations. Motorists are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active project areas.

Prescribed fire activity will be posted as Alerts on the Kaibab NF homepage.

Forest visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when in the vicinity of any prescribed fire project.

All prescribed fires on the forest are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Daily approved prescribed fires and other information about their Smoke Management Program can be found on the ADEQ Air Quality Division website.

Keep up with the Kaibab National Forest by subscribing to our news releases, visiting our website, following us on X and Facebook, or by contacting your local ranger station.

 

*/ /*-->*/ Source Kaibab National Forest January 24, 2025 - 02:27pm Keyword Kaibab National Forest Tusayan Ranger District prescribed burn winter pile burning

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department has declared a No Burn Day for January 23 due to elevated levels of PM10 (dust). lorenzo.zazuet… Thu, 01/23/2025 - 10:14 Search Bulletin The Maricopa County Air Quality Department has declared a No Burn Day for January 23 due to elevated levels of PM10 (dust).

Take Action

• Eliminate wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, chimeneas, and outdoor fire pits.
• Convert your wood burning fireplace to natural gas or propane. Check if you are eligible to receive up to $2,000 to upgrade your fireplace to natural gas by visiting Maricopa.gov/AQ.
• Avoid using leaf blowers. Use a rake or broom to keep debris out of the road and away from storm drains, ditches, and streams.
• Use electric lawn and garden equipment. Check if you are eligible to receive up to $200 to replace gasoline powered lawn equipment by visiting Maricopa.gov/AQ.
• Reduce your wait time in long drive-thru lines. Park your vehicle and walk inside at coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, curbside pick-up, and banks.
• Fuel your vehicle after dark or during cooler evening hours.
• Use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers.
• Properly seal household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents to prevent vapors from evaporating into the air.

No Burn Day Restrictions

• Wood burning in residential fireplaces, chimeneas, outdoor fire pits, and similar outdoor fires is prohibited in Maricopa County. This includes individuals and businesses which have burn permits for open burning.
• Employees and contractors of government entities are prohibited from operating leaf blowers. Residents are encouraged to avoid leaf blowing.
• Off-road vehicles are prohibited from being used.

Regulated Businesses

Businesses conducting dust-generating operations must be vigilant of their dust control measures. Workers may need to cease operating, after stabilizing disturbed areas, if water application and other dust control measures prove ineffective.

PM10 is coarse particulate matter less than 10 micrometers in diameter that are generally emitted from sources such as vehicles traveling on unpaved roads, materials handling, and crushing and grinding operations, as well as windblown.

PM2.5 is fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter that result from fuel combustion from motor vehicles, power generation, and industrial facilities, as well as from residential fireplaces and wood stoves.

*/ /*-->*/ Source Maricopa County Air Quality Department January 23, 2025 - 10:10am Keyword No Burn Day PM10 Air Quality Maricopa County dust control wood burning restrictions pollution reduction leaf blowers particulate matter environmental health

Prescribed burn planned southwest of Flagstaff this week donald.bolger@… Tue, 01/21/2025 - 14:56 Search Bulletin Prescribed burn planned southwest of Flagstaff this week

Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Coconino National Forest fire managers plan to take advantage of current weather conditions and begin work on a highly visible prescribed burn project southwest of Flagstaff starting tomorrow.

Prescribed burns are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Arizona Department of Environment Quality. Prescribed burns may be changed or canceled last-minute if burn conditions do not meet criteria outlined in advance.

For the latest information at any time of the day, details and updates about all prescribed burn projects can be found on the Coconino NF Prescribed Burn Projects InciWeb page, which is updated any time new information is available.

Crater Sinks (West Fork)

• Dates: January 22-23
• Location: 8 miles west of Kachina Village, roughly 12 miles southwest of Flagstaff. 
• Size: Roughly 1,700 acres total: About 950 acres of state land and about 750 acres of Coconino National Forest land
• Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn. Broadcast burning means firefighters will spread the fire across the landscape using drip torches, effectively 'broadcasting' the fire with low intensity across the landscape. Maintenance burns usually mean wildfire has recently been through the area, which tends to mean less smoke since forest fuels will not be as thick or built up over time. 
• Smoke Impacts: Predicted north and possibly northeast winds will likely push smoke up to Sycamore Canyon and down to the Verde Valley and Sedona areas. Smoke is likely to settle in low-lying areas overnight.
• Why: This prescribed burn will reduce hazardous fuels in the area. By reducing hazardous fuels, such as pine litter and dried needlecast, during times of cooler weather and lower winds, fire managers can create a buffer zone to safeguard communities and infrastructure from the risk of catastrophic wildfire during peak wildfire season.
• Notes: No formal closure orders will be issued, but members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area.

SMOKE IMPACTS

Fire managers take air quality concerns seriously and seek to minimize smoke impacts to the greatest extent possible. Despite the benefits of prescribed burns, we are aware that members of the community can be sensitive to the smoke produced. We coordinate closely with partners to keep communities informed about projects and potential smoke, as well as try to mitigate impacts to communities as much as possible. One tool to use to track air quality and smoke impacts is fire.airnow.gov.

A new Smoke Complaint Hotline has been established for the public at (928) 226-4608 for the public to leave their name and number if they would like to speak to fire leadership regarding smoke impacts and prescribed burn concerns.

*/ /*-->*/ Source Coconino National Forest January 21, 2025 - 03:05pm Keyword prescribed burn smoke smoke impacts Coconino National Forest Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management DFFM Crater Sinks West Fork

Final Horton Fire Update: Incident downsizing as containment holds lorenzo.zazuet… Sat, 01/18/2025 - 14:48 Search Bulletin Final Horton Fire Update: Incident downsizing as containment holds Highlights:

With containment at 94% and fire activity significantly reduced, fire officials are downsizing the incident. This will be the final written update on the Horton Fire unless significant activity occurs. After today, fire information will no longer be posted throughout the affected communities. Management of the Horton Fire will transition from a Type 3 team to a Type 4 team on Tuesday morning.

Operations:

Firefighters will continue patrolling and monitoring the fire until it is fully contained, controlled, and declared out. Suppression repair work is ongoing, with heavy equipment operations on Forest Service Road 76 nearing completion.

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER):

The BAER team reports that over 99% of the burned area experienced low-severity fire effects, with minimal impacts to soil structure and fine roots. The team will continue assessments and mitigate risks as needed.

Weather:

Cool, dry conditions with slightly higher winds will persist. Visitors are urged to exercise caution with sparks and flames to prevent wildfires during these dry conditions. For wildfire prevention tips, visit Smokey Bear’s Website.

Smoke:

Smoke may still be visible as interior pockets of vegetation continue to burn within the fire footprint.

Forest Orders:

Forest Order 03-12-00-25-02 remains in effect to protect public safety and firefighting personnel. For details on the updated closure, visit Tonto National Forest Alerts and Notices.

Evacuations:

As of January 10, 2025, all communities have returned to READY evacuation status. Residents are encouraged to stay prepared for potential hazards by taking proactive measures.

Firewise:

Creating “survivable space” around homes helps protect properties from future wildfires. Learn more about making your home firewise at this Forest Service resource.

Road Closures:

Reduced speed limits remain in effect along fire-affected areas of SR-260, but there are no closures at this time. Motorists should drive cautiously and be mindful of firefighters and equipment. For current roadway conditions, visit the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Fire Details:

• Size: 8,346 acres
• Start Date: December 14, 2024
• Cause: Under Investigation
• Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
• Containment: 94%
• Personnel: 107
• Fuels: Timber, chaparral
• Resources: 1 crew, 5 engines, 1 bulldozer, 1 water tender

Information Links and Contacts:

• Phone: (602) 551-7327 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
• Email: [email protected]
• Inciweb: Horton Fire Incident Information
• Facebook: Tonto National Forest Facebook

*/ /*-->*/ January 18, 2025 - 11:35am Keyword Horton Fire wildfire containment final update BAER assessment suppression repair firewise homes SR-260 monitoring forest closure firefighting operations community readiness

Continuing Prescribed Fire Activity Planned on the Lakeside Ranger District donald.bolger@… Fri, 01/17/2025 - 12:45 Search Bulletin Continuing Prescribed Fire Activity Planned on the Lakeside Ranger District

Fire managers plan to continue prescribed fire operations on the Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests beginning January 22 through February 7, 2025, as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations. Implementation of the Bear burn unit was previously scheduled for the week of December 16, 2024, but was postponed due to the Forests’ response to the Horton Fire.

• The Bear burn unit is 973 acres and is 3 miles southwest of Linden, Arizona. The project unit is within Forest Road 300, Forest Road 131, Forest Road 131A, Forest Road 9809L, Forest Road 9809R, and Forest Road 143.
   

This landscape treatment is a cooperative effort with Arizona Game and Fish Department, Timber Mesa Fire Department, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, and Pinedale-Clay Springs Fire Department. The objective of this prescribed fire project is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations, minimize the risk of high-severity wildfires, and return the landscape to a more fire-resistant condition, aligning with the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests. 

Smoke may be visible from the City of Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, Communities of Pinedale, Clay Springs, Linden, Heber/Overgaard, Snowflake-Taylor and along Highways 60, 77 and 260. Smoke could last for several days after initial ignitions take place, but should be significantly less each day afterwards. We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program. When smoke impacts are present, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recommends that smoke sensitive individuals should reduce physical activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed. For those who are unable to avoid smoke exposure, use of a particulate-filtering respirator mask can help. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at fire.airnow.gov.

Visit the A-S National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.

*/ /*-->*/ Source Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests January 17, 2025 - 12:55pm Keyword Prescribed Fire smoke Lakeside Ranger District Apache-Sitegreaves National Forests Arizona Game and Fish Department Timber Mesa Fire Department Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management Pinedale-Clay Springs Fire Department

Horton Fire Update: Containment nearing completion lorenzo.zazuet… Fri, 01/17/2025 - 11:04 Search Bulletin Horton Fire Update: Containment nearing completion Highlights:

Significant progress was made yesterday, with containment along the SR-260 corridor finalized. Arizona Public Service assisted in clearing vegetation along powerlines to further secure infrastructure, and work on Forest Service Road 284 has been completed.

Operations:

Crews are continuing restoration work in areas around the fire, focusing on patrolling Forest Service Roads 76 and 300 while conducting mop-up operations as needed. The use of heavy equipment will depend on road conditions, including the extent of snow and ice received overnight.

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER):

Initial assessments by the BAER team indicate that over 99% of the burned area’s soil structure remains intact, with minimal impacts to fine roots. The team will continue to assess the area and implement mitigation measures as necessary.

Weather:

Cool and dry conditions are expected to persist through the weekend. Visitors are reminded to exercise caution with sparks and flames to prevent wildfires during these dry conditions. For wildfire prevention tips, visit Smokey Bear’s Website.

Smoke:

Smoke will remain visible as vegetation continues to burn within the fire’s interior footprint.

Forest Orders:

The Forest Order 03-12-00-25-02, updated as of January 13, 2025, reflects improved conditions. The order aims to protect public health, safety, and firefighting personnel. For details, visit Tonto National Forest Alerts and Notices.

Evacuations:

As of January 10, 2025, all communities have returned to READY evacuation status. Residents are encouraged to stay prepared for potential hazards by taking proactive measures.

Firewise:

Creating a “survivable space” around homes can help protect properties from future wildfires. Learn more about making your home firewise at this Forest Service resource.

Road Closures:

Reduced speed limits remain in effect along fire-affected areas of SR-260. Motorists should proceed cautiously and watch for firefighters and equipment. For updated roadway conditions, visit the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Fire Details:

• Size: 8,346 acres
• Start Date: December 14, 2024
• Cause: Under Investigation
• Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
• Containment: 94%
• Personnel: 109
• Fuels: Timber, chaparral
• Resources: 1 crew, 5 engines, 1 bulldozer, 1 water tender

Information Links and Contacts:

• Phone: (602) 551-7327 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
• Email: [email protected]
• Inciweb: Horton Fire Incident Information
• Facebook: Tonto National Forest Facebook

 

*/ /*-->*/ Source Southwest Area Incident Management Team 3 January 17, 2025 - 11:05am Keyword Horton Fire wildfire containment SR-260 monitoring BAER assessment forest restoration firewise homes smoke visibility suppression repair firefighter safety road closures