FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., June 13, 2023 – The Flagstaff Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest plans to conduct a 1,332-acre prescribed burn this week northwest of Flagstaff as part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which seeks to restore healthier forest conditions fire-dependent ecosystems.
The Horseshoe-Wild Bill project is located 11 miles northwest of Flagstaff along the west side of U.S. Highway 180. This prescribed burn is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday but may be canceled if weather conditions – such as temperature, wind, or humidity – do not meet the criteria outlined in the burn plan.
Horseshoe-Wild Bill project:
- When: Wednesday through Thursday (June 14-15).
- Where: Located on the Flagstaff Ranger District 11 miles northwest of Flagstaff, (35°19’08.4″N 111°46’40.8″W). See the FRD Wild Bill project map.
- Why: As part of confronting the wildfire crisis, this burn will reintroduce fire into a fire-dependent ecosystem to help maintain forest fuels and help reduce the risk of severe wildfires in the area.
- Size: 1,332 acres.
- Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast initial entry burn. Initial entry burns mean wildfire has not been through the area in a very long time and thus results in thicker smoke due to a large amount of forest fuels being present that must be burned.
- Duration: This burn is planned for two days.
- Smoke Impacts: Winds from the southwest should disperse smoke to the northeast, north of the San Francisco Peaks during the day, and smoke may impact areas along the highway. Firefighters will be coordinating with the Arizona Department of Transportation on timing to implement traffic control as they burn. Nighttime smoke may drain southwest to Bellemont and may impact Interstate 40.
- Closures/Restrictions: There are no anticipated road or trail closures.
Prescribed burns are always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed burns on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino NF burns begin with the designator “COF.”
During prescribed burns, smoke will be visible from several areas across the forest. Please refrain from contacting dispatch or 911 to report prescribed burn smoke so lines can remain open for emergencies.
The Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to increase prescribed burning and other treatments across the landscape to improve forest resiliency for generations to come. With that work comes more smoke which can have an impact on both the public and our responders.
We recognize that smoke impacts can affect residents and visitors in addition to our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with partners and communities to keep people informed about projects and potential smoke. Affected communities can learn more at airnow.gov.
Prior to conducting prescribed burns, the Coconino NF follows steps outlined in the agency-wide National Prescribed Fire Review. These steps include items such as validating and updating prescribed burn plans with the most recent science and modeling, incorporating new drought monitoring data, ensuring the patrol plan and long-term patrol strategy is documented and communicating with and involving landowners, cooperators, elected officials and partners as we implement prescribed fires.
Prescribed burns are an important part of maintaining forest health. For more information on why prescribed burns are conducted and how they benefit the landscape and help protect communities, please visit our Prescribed Fire and Forest Health webpage
