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NEWS RELEASE U.S. Dept. of Agriculture U.S. Forest Service Coconino National Forest www.flickr.com/photos/coconinonationalforest
For Immediate Release October 23, 2013
Public Affairs Contacts: Brienne Magee, Flagstaff Ranger District Public Affairs Specialist, 928-527-8290 Brady Smith, Forest Public Affairs Officer, 928-527-3490 Dean Jones, Deputy Forest Public Affairs Officer, 928-203-7505
Prescribed burns planned for Thursday near Flagstaff, Stoneman Lake, and Blue Ridge
Flagstaff, AZ – For tomorrow, fire managers are planning to conduct prescribed burns on the Upper Beaver Creek Project south of Stoneman Lake, the Victorine Project south of Blue Ridge, and the Lake Mary Project just south of Flagstaff.
Lake Mary Project – 211 acres located approximately 7 miles southeast of Flagstaff, adjacent to the Lake Mary Meadows neighborhood, just north of the Priest Draw Trailhead. Smoke will be very noticeable and is expected to disperse to the northeast with the forecast winds. Smoke may impact Lake Mary Road, Walnut Canyon, Interstate 40 and the southern and eastern portions of Flagstaff including Lake Mary Meadows, Harold Ranch, Heckethorn, Country Club, and Cosnino.
Upper Beaver Creek Project – Foster Canyon Unit – 100 acres located immediately south of Stoneman Lake, approximately 5 miles east of Lake Mary Road (Forest Highway 3), 8 miles west of I-17, and as the crow flies, approximately 15 miles southeast of Munds Park. The majority of smoke should rise and disperse to the northeast. Overnight, residual smoke is expected to settle toward Rattlesnake Canyon, Beaver Creek and the Verde Valley.
Victorine Project – 365 acres located approximately 7 miles southeast of Highway 87, east of Blue Ridge Reservoir near the junction of Forest Service Roads 137 and 96. Smoke should rise and disperse to the northeast and may be noticeable in the Blue Ridge subdivisions 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 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.
Prescribed fire information:
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