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U.S. Forest Service
News Release
Media Contact: Brady Smith
Prescribed burns planned for next week on Coconino NF
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 2, 2015, For Immediate Release —
Fire managers are planning to conduct several prescribed burn projects over the next week, depending upon weather conditions, in areas south of Flagstaff, near Munds Park, Mormon Lake and Clints Well. Smoke from all these burns is expected to disperse toward the northeast and may settle
in low areas northeast of the specific burn, especially during the evening and early morning hours.
Eastside Project (Heckathorn/Herald Ranch): 400 acres; located
approximately one mile southeast of Flagstaff just north of Lake Mary Road. This burn is planned for Tuesday through Wednesday (Oct. 6-7) and will produce noticeable smoke to those in and around Flagstaff.
Munds Park Project: 300 acres; located 17 miles south of
Flagstaff just south of the community of Munds Park. This burn is planned for Wednesday through Thursday (Oct. 7-8) and will produce noticeable smoke to those in Munds Park and travelers in that area along Interstate 17.
Mormon Lake Basin Project: 700 acres; located approximately
two miles west of the community of Mormon Lake. This burn is planned for Thursday through Friday (Oct. 8-9) and will produce noticeable smoke to the Mormon Lake community and be visible to travelers driving along Lake Mary Road near Mormon Lake.
Blue Ridge Project: 1,780 acres; located approximately six
miles northeast of Clints Well. This burn is planned for Monday through Thursday (Oct. 5-8) and will produce noticeable smoke to those in the Clear Creek Pines neighborhood as well as travelers along State Highway 87. Sections of the Arizona Trail will be
rerouted in the areas where the burn is taking place and signs will be posted. Prescribed fires are essential tools for restoring the forests in our fire-adapted ecosystem,
and smoke is an unavoidable byproduct of these vital efforts. Fire managers strive to minimize smoke impacts to the community as much as possible. They burn when winds and other atmospheric conditions will push the majority of smoke away from homes; they’ll
burn larger sections at a time to ultimately limit the number of days smoke is in the air; and they work closely with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, partners in the Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council, as well as neighboring forests to monitor
air quality.
Crews also seek opportunities to use slash from thinning projects around the community instead of burning it – it is often used as filler at the landfill and offered
as firewood to community members. However, no matter how many mechanical means the Forest Service employs to restore forests, fire is a natural and necessary part of this ecosystem, and a restoration tool that cannot be replaced by any mechanical means. Forests
need the frequent, low-intensity fire to remove accumulated smaller fuels and recycle nutrients into the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably
occur.
Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly throughout the season through the following resources:
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Inciweb:
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/303/
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Twitter:
www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
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Coconino website:
www.coconinonationalforest.us, (Under News and Events)
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