Prescribed Burn Planned for Pinetop-Area Wednesday

Pinetop, AZ (11/19/19)  -  This week’s forecasted storm system provides an ideal window for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to begin a prescribed burn project in Navajo County.

Starting tomorrow, November 20, ignitions begin to a portion of the 60-acre Tokoph-Terrell RX Burn, in the Pinetop-Lakeside area, ¼ mile east of Highway 260, and west of the Safeway Plaza.

The pile burn allows DFFM crews to safely and effectively reduce ponderosa pine hand piles leftover from prior hazardous fuels reduction work. The main objective is to safeguard nearby communities.

State Forestry crews will begin ignitions at 7 am and expect to have them completed by early afternoon to help reduce smoke impacts. Fire managers will also adjust firing operations as necessary to help lessen the smoke.

Daytime smoke will be visible to State Route 260/White Mountain Boulevard, near the Safeway shopping center, and to surrounding communities. During the evening, there is a potential for light to moderate smoke to impact the Pinetop-Lakeside area, including along SR 260, and Show Low. Drivers are urged to use caution in the vicinity.  

Before ignitions begin, all agency burn plans must be approved by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Ignitions on any prescribed fire project are always weather dependent.

Prescribed fire information will be posted to DFFM social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter, and on the agency’s mobile phone application.

To download the app, search the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management in the iTunes or Google Play stores.

For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at [email protected]