 FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest is planning to conduct pile burns next week as conditions allow. Pile burns are a type of prescribed fire. Certified prescribed fire specialists will use these upcoming pile burns to help reduce unwanted fuels – notably by cleaning up debris left over from area timber sales. More information about the importance of prescribed fire is available on the Coconino National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/fire/management.
Upcoming Work:
Natural Tanks (pile burn)
- Date: Oct. 12 and Oct. 13, 2026
- Size: 40 acres
- Location: 2.5 miles northeast of Clints Well on the Mogollon Rim Ranger District.
- Type of Burn: Pile. Learn more about types of prescribed fire here.
- Smoke Impacts: Smoke will be noticeable along state Route 87 during ignitions. Smoke may persist in the area for roughly a week following ignitions.
- Why: This project will remove unwanted fuels in the area.
Walker Hill (pile burn)
- Date: Oct. 13, 2026
- Size: 784 acres
- Location: 12 miles northwest of Flagstaff, just north of Bellemont on the Flagstaff Ranger District. View map.
- Type of Burn: Pile. Learn more about types of prescribed fire here.
- Smoke Impacts: Smoke will be noticeable northwest of Flagstaff by travelers on Interstate 40. Nearby forest roads 171 and 222 will experience notable smoke impact during ignitions. The Bellemont and Brannigan Park communities will be most impacted the evening of Oct. 13 following ignitions.
- Why: This pile burn is being conducted to reduce fuels leftover from the Walker Hill timber sale.
- Closures: A formal closure order is in effectfor the Walker Hill area from Oct. 11 through Nov. 11, 2026.
Smoke Information:
While smoke may be visible, the Forest Service works closely with air quality specialists and closely monitors smoke during prescribed fires. Prescribed fires are timed for best smoke management. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for current air quality information. Please do not report these fires, as firefighters will remain on scene throughout ignitions and patrol afterwards.
Additional Notifications:
The Forest Service will evaluate conditions in the days and hours before ignition. If conditions are not favorable, planned prescribed fire activities may be postponed or canceled.
Stay Informed:
For current updates about the prescribed fire schedule, visit:
• Forest website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino
• InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azcof-coconino-national-forest-prescribed-burn-projects
About the Forest Service: The Forest Service has brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation for more than 100 years. Grounded in world-class science and technology — and rooted in communities — the Forest Service connects people to nature and recreation opportunities. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, supports the nation’s forest industry and energy needs, and operates the largest and most respected wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. By providing assistance to state and private landowners and working with tribes and other partners, the Forest Service also helps steward an additional 900 million forested acres within the U.S.
###
|
