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Springerville Ranger District plans West Escudilla Pile Burn
The Springerville Ranger District is planning prescribed fire pile burns across 600 acres within the West Escudilla pinyon-juniper treatment units. Encroaching junipers were thinned in an effort to decrease tree density and canopy cover, and to prevent regrowth of new juniper to restore the fuel type to grassland, its original fire regime. A ‘fire regime’ is the term given to the general pattern in which fires naturally occur in a particular ecosystem over an extended period of time.
Winter is an optimal time to burn piled slash and woody debris because snow on the ground keeps the fire from spreading to adjacent vegetation. Recent weather has provided ideal conditions, and with more snow in the forecast, fire managers will look for opportunities to initiate burning between January 25 and February 14, 2024.
The project area is located 10-15 miles southwest of Springerville-Eagar. Smoke from these prescribed fire pile burns is expected to be minimal but may impact Highways 60 and 180/191 and the communities of Springerville-Eagar. Drivers are cautioned that visibility may be reduced, especially in the overnight hours when smoke settles near the ground.
Each prescribed fire is designed to accomplish specific objectives and is managed with firefighter and public safety as the highest priority. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds. Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health.
Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
WEPJ_IgnitionUnitMapBurnPlan20220216.jpgPublic Appeal Period Begins for Munds Park Preliminary Flood Maps
On January 23, 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is expected to publish a second notice announcing the start of the 90-day public appeal period for the Munds Park preliminary flood maps. The flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show the extent to which areas recently re-mapped in the Munds Park area are at risk of flooding. These flood maps update 30-year-old studies and help determine flood insurance and building requirements.
Citizens can view the preliminary maps at www.coconino.az.gov/3141/Munds-Park. FEMA developed the preliminary flood maps in partnership with Coconino County. The process included an extensive, multi-year review of the changes brought about by environmental, land use, and other forces. It used the best available science, including state-of-the-art aerial mapping, flood risk modeling techniques, and a comprehensive pre-release technical review.
Coconino County presented a virtual open house (a recording is available at www.coconino.az.gov/3143/Munds-Park-Flood-Risk-Open-Houses) on September 13, 2023 to allow the public to review and discuss the preliminary flood maps. The County hosted an in-person flood risk open house on September 18, 2023.
The updated FIRMs are still preliminary and have not been officially adopted and are not yet effective. This 90-day public appeal period allows property owners to formally submit appeals - which require analysis or scientific evidence showing the information on the preliminary map is scientifically or technically incorrect - and comments. More details about the appeals process can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/3147/If-You-Disagree-with-the-Preliminary-Flo. Once all appeals and comments are received and addressed, the county expects maps will become effective by early 2025. The new flood insurance and building requirements will take effect at that time.
More information about the mapping project is available at the website: www.coconino.az.gov/3141/Munds-Park. Individuals with general questions about the local map update efforts can also call the Flood Control District at (928) 679-8881 during business hours or email [email protected]. For information about flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent or visit www.FloodSmart.gov.
Piles from West Escudilla Restoration Project slated for Prescribed Burns on the Alpine Ranger District
Fire managers on the Alpine Ranger District are planning prescribed fire pile burns in four locations within the West Escudilla Restoration Project
where timber thinning was conducted. Burning these piles will treat cumulative fuel loading and reduce potential threats from wildfires. Project burn dates, weather and site conditions permitting, areplanned for January 23 through February 2, 2024. The total project areas comprise 1,214 acres.
- The Highway 180 Miscellaneous Piles 10-acre project is located 4 miles east of Alpine and includes piles on the north side of Highway 180 in the right-of-way between Forest Road (FR) 571 and the Arizona-New Mexico State line.
- The Pace Creek Piles 78-acre project is located 5 miles east of Alpine, south of Highway 180, east of County Road 2310, west of the Arizona-New Mexico State line, and north of FR 8153A.
- The ELC Piles 1,077-acre project is located 6 miles northeast of Alpine, east of FR 275, south of FR 577, west of the Arizona-New Mexico State line, and north of FR 8181B.
- The Loco Knoll Piles 49-acre project is located 11 miles north of Alpine and 14 miles southeast of Springerville. Slash piles are east of FR 275, along FR 8889D, north of FR 851, and west of the Arizona-New Mexico State line.
Smoke from these prescribed fire pile burns will be visible and may impact Highway 180/191 and the communities of Alpine and Nutrioso. Drivers are cautioned that visibility may be reduced, especially in the overnight hours when smoke settles near the ground.
Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health.
Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
A map of the Alpine District prescribed burns January 19 2024.jpg