The Flagstaff Fire Department’s Wildland Fire Management Division plans to conduct a 40 acre prescribed broadcast burn tomorrow at the US Naval Observatory located approximately 5 miles west of downtown Flagstaff (T21N, R6E, Sec. 22). Ventilation is forecast to be “Very Good” and smoke is expected to disperse north with the forecasted winds. Little smoke impact is expected to area residents. Smoke may be visible during the day from parts of Flagstaff and along Interstate I-40.
This burn is being conducted to reduce surface fuel accumulations to benefit forest health and to reduce wildfire risk around the Naval Observatory facilities. The final decision to burn is dependent upon favorable weather conditions and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Please call (928) 213-2500 with any questions.
Additional prescribed fire information can be obtained from the USFS Prescribed Fire Hotline at (928) 226-4607.
Crews finished ignitions on the Mountainaire prescribed burn at 11:45 this morning, allowing time for winds today and tonight to continue pushing the majority of smoke out of the community, however, some residual smoke will likely settle around south and east Flagstaff during the early morning hours. Smoke from the Mint project planned for tomorrow will be visible on the horizon, but should not impact the Flagstaff area.
For Wednesday October 10:
Mint Project – 1,425 acres located 2 miles east of Lake Mary Road, southeast of Mormon Lake (approximately 25 miles south of Flagstaff, 20 miles east of Sedona, as the crow flies). Smoke will be seen from the Flagstaff and Sedona areas, as well as Mormon Lake Village, and will disperse away from the communities to the east/northeast. Residual smoke may settle around Mormon Lake Village overnight.
Victorine Project – 550 acres located approximately 5 miles southeast of Highway 87, 8 miles northeast of Blue Ridge Reservoir. Smoke will disperse to the north. Overnight residual smoke may be noticeable in the Blue Ridge Communities. This is a maintenance burn, meaning this area has been previously treated with fire; fuel accumulation and thus smoke production, should be lighter.
All prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability, weather – including winds and ventilation, and approval from the ADEQ (www.azdeq.gov).
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.
In addition, the Coconino National Forest coordinates prescribed fire plans with the partners of the Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council (which includes state and local fire departments), as well as neighboring forests, to reduce the impact of smoke on the communities.
The public can obtain additional prescribed fire information via the following:
- Prescribed Fire Hotline: 928-226-4607
- Coconino National Forest Website: www.usda.gov/coconino
- Click on “Prescribed Fire” on the right of the page
- Sign-up for regular email notifications of planned burns: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/
subscription - Choose “Southwestern Region”
- Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CoconinoNF
- Local Ranger Stations: Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-526-0866; Red Rock Ranger District (Sedona) 928-203-2900; Mogollon Rim Ranger District (Blue Ridge) 928-477-2255