FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Public Works Department has lowered the top speed limit to 35 mph along the southernmost 10 miles of Lake Mary Road in support of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) backburning operations for the Wolf Fire. The 35-mph speed limit is in effect on Lake Mary Road between Milepost 300.5, which is located about five miles south of Happy Jack, to the junction with State Route 87. Electronic message boards are also in place to notify motorists of the speed limit reduction.
The reduced speed limit is being implemented for the safety of firefighters who are working alongside Lake Mary Road, and for the traveling public due to potentially heavy smoke from backburning operations that could obscure visibility and create hazardous driving conditions.
USFS fire managers and the County are continually monitoring the smoke density in the backburning operations area, which is located adjacent to Lake Mary Road. Increases in smoke density could necessitate further speed limit reductions in the interest of public safety.
Located approximately three miles northwest of Clints Well, the lightning-caused Wolf Fire began on April 29, 2024. The USFS is now managing wildfire as a prescribe fire project to remove forest fuels – such as pine needle accumulation, dead and down trees, and other dry plant matter – that create hazardous conditions that could lead to potential catastrophic wildfire.
The reduced speed limit will remain in effect until conditions allow for the County to safely restore the normal speed limit along this section of Lake Mary Road.
