Black Mesa Ranger District planning prescribed burn this week in the Hilltop area
Release Date: Jan 7, 2015
Contact(s): Pamela Baltimore or Marta Call 928-333-4301
Springerville, AZ—January 7, 2015; The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests fire managers on the Black Mesa Ranger District are planning to conduct pile burning on Wednesday, January 7 and Thursday, January 8.
The planned prescribed burns are in the area near Hilltop Circle K, and west of Heber-Overgaard (and north of Upper Sharp – T12N, R16E, Sec. 29 and 32). Black Mesa Ranger District fire crews will be doing pile burns which require more moisture.
The most effective method for removing slash piles is by igniting when weather and conditions are conducive for burning, yet surrounding vegetation is less likely to spread from airborne fire brands and to prevent fire from spreading. For this reason, having snow on the ground is important for a successful burn. The piles consist of woody debris from thinning projects removed from hazardous fuels on U.S. Forest Service lands. Burning these piles will further reduce the hazardous fuel buildup in these areas. In addition, pile burning is an emission control technique frequently used by land management agencies. By concentrating the fuels they are consumed quicker and burn cleaner reducing the emission output.
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 canceling approved burns when conditions aren’t favorable, finding alternative uses for the debris in slash piles, timing daytime ignitions to allow the majority of smoke to disperse prior to settling overnight, and burning larger sections at a time when conditions are favorable, reducing the overall number of days smoke is in the area.
All prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability, weather – including winds and ventilation, and approval from the ADEQ (www.azdeq.gov).
For more information about the prescribed burn, please contact the Northeastern Arizona Public Information line by dialing #311 for Verizon customers; *311 for Cell One Customers or by calling 928-333-3412, which has daily prescribed burn schedules and any wildfires that might be occurring. Smoke sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality and protecting your health can be found online at the ADEQ website http://www.azdeq.gov/function/programs/wildfire.html#smoke. To be added to a smoke notification call list for this occurrence, contact the Black Mesa Ranger District @ (928) 535-7300
For more information on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and its district offices, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf
Follow the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests on Twitter @A_SNFs and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnf
Alerts & Warnings
- Lakeside Ranger District - Show Low Lake Nesting Area
- Lakeside Ranger District - Fool Hollow Lake Nesting Area
- Black Mesa Ranger District - Winter Motor Vehicle Closure Order
- Regional Closure Order - Fireworks, Explosives and Sparks
- 14-Day Stay Limit in 30-Day Period on Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests