The Coconino National Forest plans to conduct up to four prescribed burn projects between April 14 and 18 to reduce hazardous forest fuels and reduce the risk of wildfire to multiple northern Arizona communities.聽
Prescribed burns are always dependent upon multiple conditions, such as personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Arizona Department of Environment Quality. Prescribed burns may be changed or canceled last minute if burn conditions do not meet criteria outlined in advance. If wind and weather conditions become unfavorable, ignitions will be halted and project plans will be postponed, changed or canceled.
On Monday, April 14, 503 acres were starting to be burned as part of the Flagstaff Urban Interface South - Campbell Mesa. Located 7 miles east of聽Flagstaff, adjacent to the neighborhoods of Continental and Country Club, the burn might have smoke impacts to Doney Park and Cosnino, as well as Interstate 40. Some trails within the Campbell Mesa system within the burn area will be closed as a result of the project.
On Monday, April 14 or Tuesday, April 15, 840 acres will be burned 1.5 miles north of Bellemont as part of the Horseshoe Maxwell Springs project. Smoke could impact U.S. Highway 180 around the Fort Valley area during the day. At night, smoke may impact Bellemont and the I-40 in the Bellemont area.
Between Tuesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 17, 2,008 acres will be burned 10 miles east of the Village of Oak Creek, just south of Stoneman Lake for the Upper Beaver Creek project. Ignitions during the day will produce smoke visible from I-17 north of Camp Verde and south of Munds Park. Smoke will also be visible from Stoneman Lake Road and the Stoneman Lake community, potentially settling into the Beaver Creek drainage to the south and shift east to Lake Mary Road and the Happy Jack area. Though there are no associated official closures, the U.S. Forest Service encourages the public to stay out of the immediate surrounding area, and overnight camping and recreation activities could be smoky.聽
Between Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18, 3,181 acres will be burned as part of the Blue Ridge Interface 7 miles northeast of Clints Well. During evenings and early-morning hours after the burn, smoke will likely impact State Route 87 between mile markers 295 and 302. Smoke will also impact the greater Blue Ridge and Clear Creek Pines communities. The Arizona National Scenic Trail will be rerouted to Forest Road 211 in order to go around the burn area.
For the latest information any time of the day, visit the Coconino National Forest Prescribed Burn Projects InciWeb page, which is updated any time new information is available.