FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 17, 2023 – Prescribed fire projects will continue on all three districts of the Coconino National Forest throughout the rest of the week.
Prescribed fire projects are an important part of landscape restoration work being conducted in accordance with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to improve forest resiliency and reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfire in northern Arizona.
Prescribed fire projects are conditional and subject to change if wind and weather conditions are not met.
During prescribed fire, smoke will be visible from several areas across the forest.
Northern Arizona residents and forest visitors are reminded to look for information regarding planned prescribed fire projects if smoke is visible.
Please refrain from contacting dispatch or 911 to report prescribed fire smoke so lines can remain open for emergencies.
Red Rock Ranger District (RRRD)
Upper Beaver Creek Project:
- When: The UBC project began on Sunday, Oct. 15 and will continue intermittently thorough Wednesday, Oct. 25.
- Where: Located near Stoneman Lake
- Why: This project is reducing hazardous fuels around the Stoneman Lake community, which will protect the Apache Maid Cabin.
- Size: Roughly 1,000 acres
- Method/ type of burn: A combination of initial entry and broadcast maintenance. Maintenance burns usually mean wildfire has recently been through the area, which tends to mean less smoke since forest fuels will not be as thick or built up over time. 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 fire is a multi-day project spread out over 10 days. Ignition could occur on any day if weather conditions allow.
- Smoke impacts: Light to moderate smoke impacts will continue. Smoke will continue to impact the Stoneman Lake communities, the Interstate 17 corridor at Forest Road 215 (Stoneman Lake Road and Rattlesnake Canyon), the Beaver Creek area and areas south of Mormon Lake Village.
Closures/ restrictions: There are no anticipated road or trail closures.
Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD)
Horseshoe Project (Wild Bill units)
- When: Ignitions began on Monday, Oct. 16 and will continue through Thursday, Oct. 19
- Where: 5 miles north of Bellemont
- Why: To reduce fuel loading in the project area. By returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem in regular intervals, the FRD will build a healthier and more resilient landscape.
- Size: 6,080 acres
- Method/ type of burn: Broadcast and maintenance
- Duration: Four days
- Smoke impacts: Daytime smoke impacts will be felt along Highway 180 around the Arizona Nordic Village and Kendrick Park. Nighttime impacts will be felt in the Bellemont area and along Interstate 40.
Closures/ restrictions: A temporary closure to Lava River Cave will be implemented during a portion of the burn.
Newman Project (Pine Grove unit):
- When: Friday, Oct. 20
- Where: Between Upper Lake Mary and Mormon Lake, south of Pine Grove campground
- Why: Fire is expected to consume surface fuels less than 3 inches in diameter and will raise tree canopy heights and reduce tree density to reduce the likelihood of crown fire occurring in the project area. This treatment will moderate the effects of any potential future fire in the area.
- Size: 1,100 acres
- Method/ type of burn: Broadcast
- Duration: One day
- Smoke impacts: Smoke will remain highly visible along Lake Mary Road (Forest Highway 3) and from the Lake Mary area.
Closures/ restrictions: A portion of the Arizona Trail will be rerouted during the day of the project.
Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD)
Upper Beaver Creek Project:
- When: 19-20
- Where: The Mule Park area near the Happy Jack Ranger Station
- Why: This project will return fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem and reduce hazardous fuels in the area.
- Size: 500 acres
- Method/type of burn: Broadcast maintenance
- Duration: Two days
- Smoke impacts: North and east wind direction will keep smoke from impacting Lake Mary Road. Smoke will likely settle in Diversion and Mule parks, as well as in the Stoneman Lake area. Smoke impact will be noticeable at the Forest Road 213 (Stoneman Lake Road) and Lake Mary Road junction.
Closures/ restrictions: There are no closures or restrictions in effect, but the public is asked to avoid the immediate project area.
In addition to Coconino NF projects, other land management agencies will also be conducting prescribed fire projects throughout the coming weeks.
The City of Flagstaff plans to implement an 80-acre prescribed fire project Wednesday, Oct. 18 on Naval Observatory land just west of Flagstaff. Information is available via the City of Flagstaff.
Coconino NF prescribed fire information can always be accessed in several ways:
- Via InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov. All projects will be detailed under the “Coconino National Forest prescribed fire (Fall 2023)” page.
- On Twitter at @CoconinoNF
- On Facebook – search “U.S. Forest Service – Coconino National Forest”
- Via news releases. Subscribe to Coconino National Forest news releases by visiting coconinonationalforest.us, and then clicking the “Get News Via Email” link under the “Stay Connected” header
Prescribed fire is always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed fire projects on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino NF prescribed fire projects begin with the designator “COF.”
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 implementing prescribed fire plans, the Coconino NF follows steps outlined in the agency-wide National Prescribed Fire Review. These steps include items such as validating and updating prescribed fire 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 fire is an important part of maintaining forest health. For more information on why prescribed fire is conducted and how it benefits the landscape and help protect communities, please visit our Prescribed Fire and Forest Health webpage.
