 FLAGSTAFF — With favorable predicted weather conditions, the Coconino National Forest is planning to conduct several prescribed burns next week in areas around Flagstaff to reduce overgrown vegetation to help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.
The following prescribed burns are pending approval and as weather conditions allow:
Flagstaff Urban Interface North – Mt. Elden Base
- Purpose: To mitigate the risk of high severity wildfire to the communities of Timberline, Doney Park and other residents along U.S. Highway 89 by reducing the accumulation of hazardous forest fuels such as pine needles, cones, and dead fallen branches
- Dates: Tuesday, March 24.
- Location: 8 miles northeast of Flagstaff near Doney Park.
- Size: 682 acres.
- Type of Burn: Initial entry and broadcast (see Methods & Types of Prescribed Burns).
- Smoke Impacts: Moderate smoke impacts during the active ignition phase of the burn with possible impacts to U.S. Highway 89, and the communities of Timberline and Doney Park. Smoke is expected to rise and disperse to the northeast. Smoke production should decrease overnight but may settle in the surrounding area. Smoke impacts may persist for several days after the burn as fuels continue to be consumed.
Flagstaff Urban Interface South – Campbell Mesa
- Purpose: This is a multi-jurisdictional project that includes the Forest Service, the City of Flagstaff and Arizona’s Department of Forestry and Fire Management. The purpose is to reduce hazardous fuels, thereby mitigating the risk of high severity wildfire to the communities of Continental, Country Club, and Doney Park.
- Dates: Beginning Wednesday, March 25. This will be a multi-day burn project lasting through March 28.
- Location: East Flagstaff on Campbell Mesa, south of Interstate 40.
- Size: 2,800 acres total.
- Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn (see Methods & Types of Prescribed Burns).
- Smoke Impacts: Moderate smoke impacts in the early ignition phase of the burn and decreasing as smoke begins to lift and disperse to the northeast. Smoke may impact the I-40 travel corridor, eastern Flagstaff and Continental. Smoke will likely settle overnight in the surrounding area during the evening and early mornings. Smoke impacts will persist for several days after ignitions are completed as fuels continue to be consumed.
- Closures/Restrictions: The Campbell Mesa Loop Trails system will be closed for the duration of the burn.
Flagstaff Urban Interface South – Mountainaire
- Purpose: To mitigate the risk of high severity wildfire to the communities of Mountainaire, Flagstaff and other surrounding communities by reducing accumulated forest fuels such as pine needles, cones and branches.
- Dates: Beginning Sunday, March 29. This will be a two-day burn project lasting through March 30. Note, if conditions are more favorable for the West Fork/Crater Sinks project listed below, the Mountainaire project may be postponed and the West Fork/Crater Sinks project will begin March 29.
- Location: 1 mile south/southeast of the community of Mountainaire.
- Size: 1,645 acres total.
- Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn (see Methods & Types of Prescribed Burns).
- Smoke Impacts: Moderate smoke impacts in the early ignition phase of the burn and decreasing as smoke begins to lift and disperse to the northeast. Smoke may impact the I-17 travel corridor, Mountainaire and Flagstaff. Smoke will likely settle overnight in the surrounding area during the evening and early mornings. Smoke impacts will persist for several days after ignitions are completed as fuels continue to be consumed.
- Closures/Restrictions: No official closures, but possible rerouting of trails within the burn area.
West Fork/Crater Sinks
- Purpose: To mitigate the risk of high severity wildfire to the communities of Flagstaff by reducing the accumulation of fine hazardous fuels such as pine needles, cones and branches.
- Dates: Possibly March 29. This project may be conducted in lieu of the Mountainaire project mentioned above if conditions are more favorable at this location.
- Location: 13 miles southwest of Flagstaff.
- Size: 1,441 acres.
- Type of Burn: Broadcast burn (see Methods & Types of Prescribed Burns).
- Smoke Impacts: Moderate smoke impacts in the early ignition phase of the burn which will decrease as smoke begins to lift and disperse to the northeast. Smoke may impact the SR89A travel corridor to the east of this project. Smoke will likely settle overnight in the surrounding area during the evening and early mornings. Smoke impacts will persist for several days after ignitions are completed as fuels continue to be consumed.
Prescribed burns are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including 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. Should wind and weather conditions become unfavorable, ignitions will be halted, and project plans will be postponed, changed or canceled.
For the latest information at any time of the day, details and updates about all prescribed burn projects can be found on the Coconino NF Prescribed Burn Projects InciWeb page, which is updated any time new information is available.
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