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West Escudilla Pile Burn planned on Springerville Ranger District
The Springerville Ranger District is planning prescribed fire pile burns across 600 acres within the West Escudilla pinyon-juniper treatment units. Encroaching junipers were thinned in an effort to decrease tree density and canopy cover, and to prevent regrowth of new juniper to restore the fuel type to grassland, its original fire regime. A ‘fire regime’ is the term given to the general pattern in which fires naturally occur in a particular ecosystem over an extended period of time.
Winter is an optimal time to burn piled slash and woody debris because snow on the ground keeps the fire from spreading to adjacent vegetation. Recent weather has provided ideal conditions and fire managers will look for opportunities to initiate burning between February 16 and February 29, 2024.
The project area is located 10-15 miles southwest of Springerville-Eagar. Smoke from these prescribed fire pile burns is expected to be minimal but may impact Highways 60 and 180/191 and the communities of Springerville-Eagar. Drivers are cautioned that visibility may be reduced, especially in the overnight hours when smoke settles near the ground.
Each prescribed fire is designed to accomplish specific objectives and is managed with firefighter and public safety as the highest priority. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds. Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health.
Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
BLM plans prescribed burns in Yavapai County
The Bureau of Land Management’s Phoenix District is planning prescribed burning operations to burn cut and piled brush from public lands in Yavapai County near Skull Valley and Yarnell. Burning may occur over multiple days through February as conditions allow.
BLM fire personnel will burn juniper piles cut from 50 acres of public lands about three miles east of Skull Valley. They will also burn piles from 30 acres of public lands about one mile south of Yarnell east of State Route 89. Thinning and burning juniper that has encroached into grasslands helps open wildlife corridors, reduce predator cover, and improve wildlife forage. Reduced fuel loads also help to lessen the intensity of unplanned wildfires and their impact on nearby communities.
To ensure public safety, BLM firefighters will ignite the piles only when weather conditions are conducive to safely burning. They will remain on scene to monitor public and resource safety. Area residents may see some light smoke during the burn operation. No local road closures are expected.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 provided funding for this prescribed burn. The legislation funds fuel treatments to help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and benefit neighboring communities.
For more information, contact Public Affairs Specialist, Chris Wonderly, at (602) 818-8295, or [email protected].
Measles Case Confirmed in Maricopa County as Cases Rise in U.S., Overseas
As measles cases rise across the United States and overseas, a measles case has been confirmed within Maricopa County involving an international visitor. Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is currently conducting an investigation.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can spread through the air. Those who are unvaccinated are at highest risk of developing the disease if exposed. Measles virus can survive in the air for several hours and may be transmitted to unvaccinated individuals even after the infected person left the room. Almost every person exposed to measles will get sick if they have not been vaccinated with the Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine or had the disease in the past. A person with measles can give the disease to other people even before they feel sick. Measles can cause serious illness, especially in young children, pregnant women and people with depressed immune systems.
“Measles is both highly infectious and completely preventable,” said Dr. Nick Staab, assistant medical director for MCDPH. “We encourage residents to stay up-to-date on their vaccines and watch for symptoms of measles, especially if you are high risk or unvaccinated,” Dr. Staab added.
Measles usually begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes. A rash usually appears 3 to 5 days later. The rash often begins on the forehead and spreads downward to other parts of the body. Individuals with a depressed immune system and those vaccinated with MMR between 1964 and 1967 may not have a typical rash.
Symptoms consistent with measles include:
- Fever
- Cough
- White spots in the throat
- Runny nose
- Red and/or watery eyes
- Rash
It can take up to 21 days after their last exposure for a person infected with measles to start showing symptoms.
In the event you experience fever, cough, runny nose, rash, or any other symptoms of measles:
- Please self-isolate, stay away from others and contact your healthcare provider by phone and let them know you are concerned you may have measles. They will let you know when to visit their office so as not to expose others in the waiting area.
- If you do not have a health care provider and need to seek care, please contact the urgent care or hospital before visiting and let them know that you suspect measles.
If your healthcare provider thinks that you have measles, please have your provider call (602) 506-6767 to notify MCDPH immediately so that appropriate follow-up can be initiated.
MCDPH will provide more information as the investigation continues.
For additional information on measles, please visit the MCDPH measles website.
Potential avalanche hazard and other winter hazards
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit and the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center would like to remind those recreating in the winter backcountry, particularly on the San Francisco Peaks, about some potential hazards.
Northern Arizona is currently experiencing a significant winter weather event. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning, as the first in a series of three storms descends on the region. Storm totals above 10,000 feet on the
San Francisco Peaks could reach nearly 4 feet over the next 4 days. If maximum totals accumulate, dangerous avalanche conditions could result near and above tree line.
As new snow loads the current snowpack, weak layers at the bottom and middle, could release, resulting in large to very large avalanches. This storm is accompanied by high winds, which could further load some slopes. Human-triggered avalanches will be likely. This storm could lead to the first natural avalanche cycle of the season. Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center is recommending that skiers and riders avoid near tree line and above tree line slopes at all aspects until the danger subsides. For updated information, please see the avalanche forecast at www.Kachinapeaks.org.
In addition to the potential avalanche hazard on the San Francisco Peaks, winter weather hazards will exist throughout portions of Northern Arizona. Deep snow will make travel by foot and vehicle difficult. Some area roadways may be closed due to the snowfall and drivers should not be tempted to take alternative routes suggested by navigation apps, especially roads that are not routinely plowed or patrolled. It is generally best to wait out the closure in your vehicle or in town rather than attempt an unknown alternate route. Travelers should be prepared with extra supplies in their vehicles with an expectation of longer travel times and occasional road closures.
Those recreating on foot in the backcountry should be prepared for over the snow travel in deep snow and have the necessary equipment to safely negotiate the environment including navigation equipment (map, compass, GPS), food and water, extra warm clothing, headlamp or flashlight, first aid kit, emergency shelter materials, fire starting kit, pocket knife/multi-tool, whistle and signal mirror, and a fully charged cell phone with a back-up battery.
In potential avalanche terrain it is important to carry an avalanche transceiver, avalanche probe, and avalanche shovel with the knowledge of how to use those tools and backcountry travelers should not travel alone. Leaving a detailed trip plan with a trusted person not on the trip is important so that search and rescue knows where to look in the event that a someone is overdue.
Alpine Ranger District looks to complete prescribed fire operations on West Escudilla Restoration Project piles
Fire managers on the Alpine Ranger District have completed prescribed fire pile burns across 1,165 acres in the West Escudilla Restoration Project where timber thinning was conducted. The Pace Creek and ELC units were successfully burned and met the objectives of treating cumulative fuel loading and reducing potential threats from wildfires.
The remaining 49 acres to be burned in the Loco Knoll unit is located 11 miles north of Alpine and 14 miles southeast of Springerville. Slash piles are east of Forest Road (FR) 275, along FR 8889D, north of FR 851, and west of the Arizona-New Mexico State line.
Ignitions on the Loco Knoll project, weather and site conditions permitting, is slated to begin February 6, and is expected to be completed by February 9, 2024 if weather conditions allow.
Smoke will be visible and may impact Highway 180/191 and the communities of Alpine and Nutrioso. Drivers are cautioned that visibility may be reduced, especially in the overnight hours when smoke settles near the ground.
Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health.
Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
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Coconino County Flood Control District completes step in Post-Wildfire Flood Mitigation Project
The Coconino County Flood Control District has delivered another substantial element of post-wildfire flood mitigation to Flagstaff’s Spruce Avenue Wash Flood Corridor/Museum Flood Area with completion of the second and final phase of the Park Way Sediment Basins Project.
The Park Way Sediment Basins Project is one of a suite of ongoing post-wildfire flood mitigation projects in Spruce Avenue Wash, which was heavily impacted by flood flows from the Museum Fire scar in 2021. Phase I was completed in June 2023, and with the completion of Phase II, the project now includes three sediment basins with a total capacity of nine acre-feet—about the same as four and a half Olympic swimming pools.
“We know that sediment loads are a large contributor to overwhelming the infrastructure and flooding within post-wildfire flood corridors,” said Lucinda Andreani, Coconino County Flood Control District Administrator. “These sediment basins, in conjunction with the watershed restoration we have conducted upstream, will be key to minimizing the amount of flood sediment and debris that ends up downstream, which is important to the significant infrastructure investment the City is making downstream.”
The Park Way Sediment Basins were constructed on a parcel owned by the City of Flagstaff. They were engineered by Natural Channel Design Engineering to include three sediment basins, erosion control structures, and a re-establishment of a trail that previously occupied the area. The project was funded through the District and a grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at total cost of over $1.4 million. Two separate contractors—Tiffany Construction and Kinney Construction Services (KCS)—participated in the construction effort, which was challenging due to its placement within a dense residential area.
“KCS coordinated with the team from Natural Channel Design and the City of Flagstaff for pre-determined hauling routes to ease congestion in the Park Site neighborhood,” said Will Odell, spokesperson for KCS. “Safety and public awareness were key elements for project success in this busy corridor along Linda Vista.”
City of Flagstaff flood mitigation projects in the Spruce Avenue Wash Flood Corridor are ongoing. For more information, visit www.museumfloodprojects.com.
Pile burns planned today on Coconino National Forest
The Coconino National Forest will conduct pile burns in two different locations today.
The Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD) will burn 1,320 acres of piles located at Willard Springs, 5 miles north of Munds Park.
Smoke impact is anticipated to be minimal but may briefly affect Interstate 17.
The Mogollon Rim Ranger District (MRRD) will burn 2 acres of piles located at Bly Pit, 14 miles northeast of Clints Well.
There are no anticipated road or trail closures due to any of the pile burn projects. Please refrain from calling dispatch lines if you see smoke from these pile burns so lines can remain open for any emergencies.
Burn plans may change at any time due to wind and weather conditions and forecasts.
Pile burns are an important part of forest restoration projects planned in accordance with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
Pile burns work alongside both prescribed fire and mechanical thinning to remove fuels such as woody debris and logging scraps from the forest floor during times of opportune weather.
Fire managers make every effort to effectively plan and execute burn plans at times when weather allows for smoke impacts to be minimized and transport up and over communities.
For more information about prescribed burns and why wildfire is a necessary part of this ecosystem, please visit our Prescribed Fires and Smoke web page and view the video Misconceptions and Benefits of Fire.
Lakeside Ranger District continues pile burning
Fire managers on the Lakeside Ranger District plan to continue prescribed fire operations on the Cabin unit slash piles. The project area is approximately 40 acres and is expected to be completed either today or tomorrow. Piles are composed of timber slash created from thinning projects or wildfire suppression activities and are treated to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations. Prescribed fire operations are contingent on multiple factors, including favorable weather conditions, air quality, and resource availability.
The Cabin project area is located 2 miles northeast of Lakeside, AZ. The project boundary is the Osprey Connector Trail, Forest Road (FR) 9712C, and FR 45. Fire crews will patrol the burn area each day until there is no threat of fire movement.
The objective for these prescribed fires is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations and minimize the risk of high-severity wildfires, aligning with the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal and may be visible from Highways 60, 77, and 260. Travelers are advised to use extra caution when driving in the vicinity during project implementation.
Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
Mesa Ranger District plans pile burns to reduce wildfire risk to facilities and high-use recreational sites
Tonto National Forest firefighters will begin a two-day, prescribed pile burn on the Mesa Ranger District beginning Jan. 31.
Firefighters will burn piles containing dead brush and limbs to reduce hazardous fuels from administrative sites and recreational areas near the Lower Salt River, Saguaro Ranch, Tortilla Flat and Canyon Lake.
Reducing these hazardous fuels from high-use recreation areas can help to limit the threat of wildfires to infrastructure and other values at risk. In addition, burning piles mitigates potential smoke impacts to the area by reducing the amount and duration of smoke in the air.
These treatments improve plant and wildlife habitat to increase biodiversity for wildlife corridors. Prescribed fires also help protect culturally significant native foods and plants, improve timber stands and recreational opportunities, and reduce the threat of invasive species on the landscape.
Prescribed fire operations are part of the USDA Forest Service’s overarching wildfire crisis strategy to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests. For more information about the Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to address the wildfire crisis, visit the Confronting the Wildfire Crisis web page.
For additional information, contact the Mesa Ranger Station located at 5140 E. Ingram Street, Mesa, Arizona. Or phone the station at (480) 610-3300 Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and noon and from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or X (formally Twitter) @TontoForest.
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