Flagstaff AZ (February 19, 2013) – Depending on how much precipitation is received from the upcoming winter storm, fire managers on the Coconino National Forest are tentatively planning to continue pile burning efforts this week, possibly starting tomorrow. Pending favorable conditions, fire managers plan to burn at the following projects, as well as other miscellaneous piles in the flagstaff area, for the remainder of the week.
OAK CREEK CANYON: Piles are located between Slide Rock State Park and Munds Canyon. Smoke is expected to disperse up and out of the canyon during the day, and settle in Oak Creek Canyon overnight. Crews will stop ignitions early in the day to allow the majority of smoke time to disperse during the day and reduce overnight smoke.
A-1 MOUNTAIN: 10 acres located near the Interstate 40 and A-1 Mountain interchange. Smoke is expected to disperse to the northeast during the day. These piles are small and should be completely consumed before the day’s end; very little residual smoke is expected. Any residual smoke would settle toward I-40 and Bellemont overnight.
All prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability, weather – including winds and ventilation, and approval from the ADEQ (www.azdeq.gov).
Fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to the communities while continuing to address the critical need to reduce the risk of severe wildfires around those communities. Tactics to keep smoke impacts as minimal as possible include canceling approved burns when conditions aren’t favorable, finding alternative uses for the debris in slash piles, timing daytime ignitions to allow the majority of smoke time 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.
In addition, the Coconino National Forest coordinates prescribed fire plans with our partners in the Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council, as well as neighboring forests, to reduce the impact of smoke on the communities.
The public can obtain additional prescribed fire information via the following:
- Prescribed Fire Hotline: 928-226-4607
- Coconino National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/coconino
- Click on “Prescribed Fire” on the right of the page
- Sign-up for regular email notifications of planned burns:
- Choose “Southwestern Region”
- Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
- Local Ranger Stations: Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-526-0866; Red Rock Ranger District (Sedona) 928-203-2900; Mogollon Rim Ranger District (Blue Ridge) 928-477-2255