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Crews have started ignition on the Mint Project 25 miles south of Flagstaff off Lake Mary Road. Smoke may be seen on the horizon from the Flagstaff and Sedona areas, and very noticeable from Mormon Lake Village. It will disperse to the northeast with today’s winds. Crews are also on scene of the Victorine Project, gathering on-the-ground weather information and conducting a test fire. Should all conditions still be favorable, they’ll continue with ignitions.
Brienne Magee Public Affairs Specialist Flagstaff Ranger District 5075 N Hwy 89 Flagstaff AZ 86004 Desk: 928.527.8290 Cell: 928.310.6035
From: Magee, Brienne
U -FS
NEWS RELEASE U.S. Dept. of Agriculture U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
For Immediate Release October 9, 2012
Public Affairs Contacts: Brienne Magee, Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-527-8290 Brady Smith, Coconino National Forest, 928-527-3490 Connie Birkland, Red Rock Ranger District, 928-203-7505
Prescribed burns near Mormon Lake and Blue Ridge planned for Wednesday
Flagstaff, AZ – Crews finished ignitions on the Mountainaire prescribed burn at 11:45 this morning, allowing time for winds today and tonight to continue pushing the majority of smoke out of the community, however, some residual smoke will likely settle around south and east Flagstaff during the early morning hours. Smoke from the Mint project planned for tomorrow will be visible on the horizon, but should not impact the Flagstaff area.
For Wednesday October 10: Mint Project – 1,425 acres located 2 miles east of Lake Mary Road, southeast of Mormon Lake (approximately 25 miles south of Flagstaff, 20 miles east of Sedona, as the crow flies). Smoke will be seen from the Flagstaff and Sedona areas, as well as Mormon Lake Village, and will disperse away from the communities to the east/northeast. Residual smoke may settle around Mormon Lake Village overnight. Victorine Project – 550 acres located approximately 5 miles southeast of Highway 87, 8 miles northeast of Blue Ridge Reservoir. Smoke will disperse to the north. Overnight residual smoke may be noticeable in the Blue Ridge Communities. This is a maintenance burn, meaning this area has been previously treated with fire; fuel accumulation and thus smoke production, should be lighter.
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 the partners of the Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council (which includes state and local fire departments), 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:
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