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Winds are blowing from the northeast today and are expected to continue tonight and tomorrow; fire managers are resuming pile burning along Lake Mary Road on approximately 150 acres (see additional information in the trailing messages). Smoke will again be visible from the Flagstaff area. The majority of smoke should disperse with the winds to the southwest, though some smoke will likely still settle in the immediate area with the cool air overnight. Since these are large piles, we can expect to see smoke from their smoldering for the next day or two, becoming less with time.
The forecast is calling for a shift in winds between Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon that would move any residual smoke toward the east. Smoke would be noticeable in the southern and eastern parts of town – especially the Country Club area. By then, the piles will have been mostly, if not completely, consumed and smoke should be light.
Brienne Magee Public Affairs Specialist Flagstaff Ranger District 5075 N Hwy 89 Flagstaff AZ 86004 Desk: 928.527.8290 Cell: 928.310.6035 bmagee@xxxxxxxxx
From: Magee, Brienne U -FS
Yesterday’s northeast winds dispersed smoke from the Lake Mary pile burn to the southwest during ignition, and overnight residual smoke was expected to settle in the immediate area and into the canyons and drainages nearby. Instead, some smoke drifted into the Flagstaff area overnight. Fire managers originally planned to continue burning the Lake Mary piles throughout this week, however due to the unexpected impacts, crews have postponed these efforts for the next couple days to allow smoke to disperse. Fire managers will reevaluate conditions for potentially resuming Friday.
From: Magee, Brienne U -FS
Pile burns this week in Oak Creek Canyon and along Lake Mary Rd
Flagstaff, AZ – Fire managers on the Coconino National Forest are planning to conduct several pile burn projects next week, pending favorable conditions.
LAKE MARY ROAD: Large piles located along Lake Mary Road, across from the Heckethorn neighborhood. Due to the side of the piles, burning will be noticeable from the Flagstaff. Smoke is expected to disperse away from the community during the day, however, residual smoke will likely settle in the area overnight. Crews are burning up to 200 acres today (Feb 12), and plan to complete another 250 acres over the course of the week if conditions allow.
OAK CREEK CANYON: Various pile locations between Slide Rock State Park and Munds Canyon. Crews are burning 50 acres today. Smoke is expected to disperse to the east 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. Fire managers plan to continue burning in this general area for the remainder of the week if conditions are favorable.
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:
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