Flagstaff Prescribed Burns

 

flagstaff prescribed burns

 

 

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Flagstaff prescribed burns are a familiar occurrence to those living in and around the Coconino National Forest.

Flagstaff prescribed burns are conducted each fall, winter, and early spring. These seasons provide conditions suitable for conducting small prescribed burns.

Wind, humidity and other factors must be within acceptable tolerances for the Forest Service to conduct a specific prescribed burn.

Each of the prescribed burns is planned and scheduled in advance... and a specific prescribed burn may be delayed because conditions change.

Crews conduct the burns with an emphasis on safety and control. Crews are on-scene before, during, and after each burn is conducted.

Reducing the fuel available to a wildfire and protecting our communities and forests are worth the occasional smoky (and sometimes stinky) conditions.

 

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flagstaff prescribed fire

 

Prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability, weather – including winds and ventilation, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (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 cancelling burns when conditions aren’t favorable, finding alternative uses for the debris in slash piles, timing 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.

The public can obtain additional prescribed fire information via the following:

  • Prescribed Fire Hotline: 928-226-4607
  • Coconino National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/coconino
    • Click on “Prescribed Fire” on the right of the page
  • Sign-up for regular email notifications of planned burns:  http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription
    • Choose “Southwestern Region”
  • Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
  • Local Ranger Stations: Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-526-0866; Red Rock Ranger District (Sedona) 928-203-2900; Mogollon Rim Ranger District (Blue Ridge) 928-477-2255

 

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As a reminder, when fire managers are deciding whether to suppress a wildland fire, manage it for resource benefits, or even to begin ignition on a prescribed fire project, they consider conditions such as location, weather, and potential size, behavior, and direction.  Conditions may warrant suppression strategies in some locations while conditions in other areas are suitable for prescribed fire ignition.

 

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Prescribed Burns for February, 2012

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February 2, 2012

Kaibab National Forest

 

Managers Cancel Government Prairie Prescribed Fire

 

WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Kaibab National Forest fire managers have canceled the 1,300-acre Government Prairie grassland prescribed fire planned for today. Officials determined the current conditions are not favorable for meeting the objectives of the burn. The unit is located 16 miles northeast of Williams and northeast of Parks. 

Fire specialists will continue to evaluate weather and fuels conditions for possible implementation at a later date. The objectives of the grassland prescribed burn are to reduce the encroachment of trees and shrubs, enhance grass and forbs production, and return fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem. 

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

 

 

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January 31, 2012

Coconino National Forest

 

Prescribed burns planned for Wednesday

 

Flagstaff, AZ – Pending favorable conditions, fire managers on the Coconino National Forest are planning to conduct prescribed burns on the Bar T Bar ad Mountainaire projects tomorrow, Wednesday February 1.

 

Bar T Bar Project – 200 acres located southeast of Mormon Lake, east of Lake Mary Road (Forest Highway 3), approximately 5 miles northeast of Hutch Mountain. Smoke will disperse to the north.

 

Mountainaire Project – 100 acres located south of Flagstaff, approximately one mile north of the community of Mountainaire. Smoke will disperse to the north. Some smoke may be noticeable around Lake Mary Road, the communities near Pumphouse Wash, and in the vicinity of the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.

 

 

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January 31, 2012

Kaibab National Forest

 

Crews Prepare for Government Prairie Prescribed Fire

on the Williams Ranger District

 

WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Kaibab National Forest fire managers are preparing to implement a 1,300 acre prescribed fire in the Government Prairie project Thursday, February 2. The unit is 16 miles northeast of Williams and northeast of Parks. 

The National Weather Service predicts northwest winds Thursday with a slight chance of showers. Smoke will be visible along portions of I-40 during operations and will likely settle in the local area overnight.

The objectives of the burn are to reduce the encroachment of trees and shrubs, enhance grass and forbs production, and return fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem.  The ignition of all burns is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, favorable environmental conditions, and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality approval. Fire crews implement, monitor, and patrol each project to ensure it meets the goals and objectives outlined in prescribed fire plans.

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

 

 

coconino prescribed fire

 

Prescribed Burns Information

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July 13, 2011

Kaibab National Forest

 

Using Fire to Achieve Resource Objectives

 

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.

 

 


 

 

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