Flagstaff, AZ (October 24, 2011) – Pending favorable conditions and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, fire managers on the Coconino National Forest are planning two prescribed fire projects for tomorrow, October 25.
Ft Valley Project: Located north and west of Hwy 180 off Forest Road 164B, crews anticipate burning approximately 267 acres. Steady southwest winds in the forecast will disperse smoke to the north and east around the San Francisco Peaks and through Schultz Pass. Drifting smoke will be noticeable on Flagstaff’s northern and eastern horizons. Overnight winds are expected to continue, which will further minimize smoke impacts to the communities; however if winds become light, residual smoke will settle into Fort Valley and Rio de Flag.
Victorine Project – Approximately 500 acres located southeast of the community of Blue Ridge, north of Knoll Lake. Smoke would disperse to the north. Residual smoke could impact Hwy 87 and the Blue Ridge community overnight.
Prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability, weather – including ventilation, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).
Fire managers continue to work hard balancing the critical need for reducing the risk of severe wildfires with the importance of minimizing smoke impacts to communities. The Coconino National Forest coordinates prescribed fire plans with the partners in the Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council (which includes local fire departments), as well as neighboring forests, to reduce the overall impact of smoke on the communities.
The public can obtain prescribed fire information via the following:
- Prescribed Fire Hotline: 928-226-4607
- Coconino National Forest Website: www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
- Click on the Prescribed Fire Link to the right of the page
- Sign-up to receive regular email notifications:
- 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