Prescott, AZ (October 5, 2012) – As part of a continuing program to improve forest health, reduce hazardous fuels and return fire to the ecosystem, fire managers are preparing for this season’s prescribed fire program on the Prescott National Forest. Pending favorable conditions burning is planned for the week of October 9.
Groom Creek RX (T13N, R2W, S26, 27, 34, 35) – Tuesday October 9th and Wednesday October 10th approximately 202 acres near Horse Camp and Road 707 will be treated. Smoke is expected to travel to the NE with a SW wind; at night the majority of the smoke will settle into Hassayampa Creek to the SW of the burn site.
Sierra Prieta RX (T14N, R3W, S35) – Thursday October 11 approximately 183 acres will be treated near Willow Springs Camp. Smoke is expected to travel to the NE with a SW wind; at night smoke is expected to settle into Miller Creek and Willow Creek.
Prescribed fire is one tool managers use to lower the risk of severe wildfires. While this is an effective tool to reduce the potential for large wildfires, there is a trade-off, and that is dealing with smoke. 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 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.
All prescribed fires activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as best as possible and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).
The public can obtain additional prescribed fire information via the following:
- Prescott NF Fire Information Hotline: (928) 777-5799
- Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
- Local Ranger Stations: Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 443-8000; Chino Valley Ranger District (928) 777-2200; Verde Ranger District (928) 567-4121
