The Coconino National Forest has established this method of notifying you of fuels treatment activities on the forest. For confirmation or for more information, please visit our "Current Conditions" page of the Coconino National Forest web-site, http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/conditions/current-rx.shtml
The Coconino County Health Department provides information about smoke concerns and offers suggestions for minimizing smoke impacts to your family and home at the following website http://www.coconino.az.gov/health.aspx?id=6564.
===============================================================
NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
For Immediate Release
September 9, 2009
Coconino National Forest Prepares for Prescribed Burning
Flagstaff- Coconino National Forest fire managers are preparing to continue prescribed burning, as fall and winter weather typically provides the most opportunities for applying low-intensity fire to the landscape.
Approximately 19 prescribed fire projects are planned throughout the forest, for a total of about 44,000 acres. Acreages may not all be accomplished this year depending on how often and how long conditions are suitable.
Prescribed burns are part of an ongoing program to improve forest health and reduce hazardous fuels. The forest depends on low-intensity fire to reduce accumulated vegetation, enhance wildlife habitat, and recycle valuable nutrients into the soil. “Fire is natural and necessary, and will occur. Prescribed burning will not eliminate the chances of wildfires,” said Vic Morfin, Coconino National Forest Fuels Management Officer. “However, prescribed burning reduces the likelihood of extreme behavior during an unplanned fire, creating a safer situation for the community and our firefighters.”
To accomplish these forest health goals, forest managers use two types of prescribed burns:
Broadcast burns involve applying fire across the forest floor. Small flames make their way along the surface consuming logs, branches, and accumulated leaves and needles while recycling nutrients back into the soil. Broadcast burns typically produce the most noticeable smoke.
Pile burns require more moisture in the surrounding vegetation and are usually conducted when snow is on the ground. Piles consist of the slash from forest thinning projects, which includes small logs and branches. Pile burning usually produces less smoke than broadcast burns.
Prescribed burns are termed such because they are conducted within a “prescription” that defines the fuel moisture levels, air temperatures, wind conditions, and relative humidity levels that are appropriate. All prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability, weather – including ventilation conditions, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).
Fire managers work closely with ADEQ to monitor air quality throughout the burning process.
“We strive to minimize smoke impacts to our communities,” said Morfin. “But smoke will be in the air, so we encourage folks to learn where, when, and how prescribed burns are conducted so they can be better prepared to handle any impacts.”
Regular news releases will be distributed to local media with planned prescribed fire activity. The public can also obtain information via the following:
Prescribed Fire Hotline: 928-226-4607
Coconino National Forest Website: www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
o Click on the Prescribed Fire Link to the right of the page
Sign-up to receive regular email notifications: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription
o Choose “Southwestern Region”
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF_Fire
Local Ranger Stations: Peaks Ranger District (Flagstaff), 928-526-0866; Red Rock Ranger District (Sedona) 928-203-2900; Mogollon Rim Ranger District (Blue Ridge) 928-477-2255
###
To receive official Forest Service information by e-mail, please subscribe by visiting http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription/
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription
If you wish to make changes to an existing account, please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/news/changes.shtml
