Prescribed Burns Information

WILLIAMS, AZ – With the onset of the monsoons, Kaibab National Forest fire managers are evaluating conditions and looking at opportunities to use wildland fire to achieve multiple resource objectives. Recent precipitation, higher humidity and increased fuel moisture has changed the forest noticeably from that of just a few weeks ago and the fire danger has decreased significantly.
Over the coming months, if conditions are appropriate, managers may decide to use lightning-caused fire and prescribed fire, including broadcast burning and pile burning, to improve forest health, reduce hazardous fuels, protect cultural resources, and enhance wildlife habitat.    

Some people may question why fire would be managed across the landscape of the Kaibab National Forest when so many acres have already burned in Arizona this year.  One of the important goals of the fire management program is to return fire to its proper role in a fire-adapted ecosystem. Many areas of the forest have had fire excluded for too long which has lowered the forest’s defense against insects, disease, and high intensity fire. However, every time fire can be managed safely across the landscape, another protective layer is added to the forest that can help prevent future intense wildfires.  

If there is smoke in the air, it may mean wildland fire is being used to achieve multiple resource objectives on the Kaibab National Forest. Concerted efforts will be made to keep the public informed about fire activity and smoke.

For more information, please call Punky Moore, Fire Information Officer, 928-635-5653.

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December 2, 2005

Coconino National Forest

Prescribed Fire Accomplishments

Flagstaff- Across the national forests of the Southwest, restoring fire-adapted ecosystems is the central priority of much of the work of the US Forest Service. Returning fire to the landscape under carefully planned conditions, also known as prescribed fire, is a key component. This fall prescribed fire specialists on the Coconino National Forest accomplished substantial progress in meeting that goal.

Selective thinning and prescribed fire meet the dual forest restoration objectives of reducing the wildfire risk to adjacent communities and improving forest health. Through the current fiscal year, 22,000 acres on the Coconino are targeted to be treated with either thinning, broadcast or pile burning. So far this fall, 18,000 acres have been treated with prescribed fire, with about two-thirds of that acreage considered Wildland Urban Interface, that critical overlap of forest and communities at risk of catastrophic wildfire. Last year, the Coconino treated 16,000 acres with thinning and prescribed fire.

“We appreciate the patience of residents affected by smoke from prescribed burning. We’ve heard from folks who say they understand the importance of this work, and can put with some smoke if they know to expect it,” according to Russ Copp, Coconino National Forest Fuels Specialist.

With the onset of winter precipitation, crews plan to burn piles of slash, branches and small trees leftover from thinning projects. In northern Arizona, fire season can linger until winter brings adequate snowpack. Fire fighters may ignite a planned prescribed fire one day, and suppress an unplanned, human-caused fire the next. Since abandoned campfires are still a concern, campers are reminded to drown with water and dirt, stir, and feel to make sure your campfire are cold and dead out.