Prescribed burn planned on North Kaibab Ranger District
Fredonia, Ariz., June 19, 2015 — For Immediate Release. With fuel moistures at above average levels for this time of
year, North Zone fire managers are closely monitoring fuel moistures and weather to look for a window of opportunity to implement plans for the Moquitch 4 prescribed burn as conditions allow. Fire crews have spent the past month preparing a 1,542 acre burn-block within the Moquitch Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project area, east of Forest Service Road
(FSR) 282, south of FSR 260, west of Warm Springs Canyon to FSR 217, and north of FSR 212 back to FSR 282. This prescribed burn may begin as early as Monday, as conditions and available resources allow. As of today, fire managers are managing the Locust Fire, and the Jolly
Fire is being suppressed. As with most of most North Zone prescribed burns on the Kaibab Plateau, the goal of this project is to reduce hazardous fuels, minimize the spread of insects and
disease, provide forage for game, improve wildlife habitat, and recycle nutrients back into the soil to promote regeneration of trees and other plant species. Likewise, prescribed burns also help protect forest visitors, firefighters and the local community by reducing accumulated fuels that could contribute to more intense
fire behavior under hotter and drier conditions. Smoke could potentially be visible from Mile-and-a-Half Campground, Highways 67 and 89A, and the Jacob Lake Developed Area. Prescribed fire is a valuable land management
tool; however, prescribed fire produces smoke. Typically, that smoke is short-lived and managed to minimize impacts unlike wildfires. Prescribed fire and other fuels treatments help to reduce the severity of wildfires and minimize adverse smoke impacts on
public health and safety. Fire fighters will make every attempt to burn during times of the day when ventilation is optimal. Prescribed fire signs will be placed several miles north and south of the burn on FSR 282, east and west on FSR 212, and signs will also be posted in any areas with
temporary road closures. Additionally, fire vehicles will be in the area patrolling and monitoring the roads. Visitors are reminded to please drive carefully in the area, as visibility might be lowered due to smoke.
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Attachment:
1650-1_d3_Moquitch 4 Rx_2015_0619.pdf
Description: 1650-1_d3_Moquitch 4 Rx_2015_0619.pdf
