Prescribed Burns Planned For Navajo County
Phoenix, AZ (9/30/19) - The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management set to begin its fall prescribed burn projects starting in October in Northeastern Arizona.
State hand crews will begin ignitions on three different projects in Navajo County, including:
October 7th: 10-acre Parker Rx Burn, 20 miles east of Heber, three miles north of Pinedale, on the east side of Highway 260.
October 8th-10th: 35-acre Brownlow-Lee Rx Burn, 4 ½ miles northwest of Pinetop, south of the Maverick gas station, on the south side of Highway 260.
November 4th-7th: 61-acre Tokoph-Terrell Rx Burn – behind the Safeway in Pinetop.
Prescribed burning provides a variety of benefits to the landscape. It provides a more efficient way of removing leftover debris from fuels mitigation projects, reduces the risk of wildfires, stimulates forest health by ridding diseased vegetation, and helps to improve wildlife habitat.
Weather plays a significant role in the prescribed burn planning process, therefore dates may change if conditions are unfavorable to burning.
The safety of our firefighters and the public is our first priority and the department monitors conditions closely before test ignitions even start. In addition, DFFM must obtain prior approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Smoke may be visible to communities near the prescribed burn areas, along with, possible smoke impacts to Highway 260. DFFM will utilize roadside messaging boards to alert drivers to the prescribed burning operations.
Burn information can be found on the agency’s Twitter and Facebook pages and will also be provided through the department’s mobile phone application.
To download the free app, go to the iTunes or Google Play store and search - Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.
