Tag: prescribed burns

Fire managers planning prescribed burns across Coconino National Forest next week as a weather window of opportunity opens for safe implementation

by Community Contributor • April 14, 2025 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Up to four prescribed burn projects are planned across Coconino National Forest next week to reduce hazardous forest fuels and reduce the risk of wildfires to many northern Arizona communities (listed below in chronological order).

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.

Prescribed burns planned around Flagstaff (week of Jan. 27)

by Community Contributor • January 27, 2025 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Area fire managers plan to continue work on local prescribed fire projects – including broadcast burning and pile burning – (week of Jan. 27) while northern Arizona’s wind and weather conditions remain favorable to do so.

Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Coconino National Forest fire managers aspire to continue work on this week’s Crater Sinks prescribed burn project located roughly 12 miles southwest of Flagstaff.

Additionally, Coconino National Forest fire managers hope to begin work on pile burns located in various locations around the Flagstaff Ranger District.

Prescribed burns planned on Coconino National Forest this week

by Community Contributor • October 1, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino National Forest plans to continue work on two prescribed burn projects this week that will help restore healthier conditions to the forest and fire-dependent ecosystems.

Prescribed burns will be canceled if weather conditions – such as temperature, wind or humidity – do not meet the criteria outlined in the burn plans.

Prescribed burns planned within Flagstaff city limits on May 21

by Community Contributor • May 21, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — The Flagstaff Fire Department is planning a prescribed burn on Tuesday, May 21 in the Observatory Mesa Natural Area off Forest Service Rd 515A and Westridge Rd. The burn area is approximately 123 acres. Sections of the Observatory Mesa Trail will be closed to the public during firing operations. The Mars Hill, Tunnel Springs, and Karen Cooper FUTS trails will remain open. There will be an increased firefighter presence in the area during the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Smoke is expected to drift to the northeast over the neighborhoods of Westridge, Anasazi Ridge and Ridge Crest. Fire managers will coordinate with neighboring national forests, national parks, fire departments, and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to monitor smoke impacts.

Coconino National Forest to resume prescribed fire plans next week following rain-induced delay

by Community Contributor • May 3, 2024 • Comments Off

FLAGSTAFF — Coconino National Forest fire managers will resume spring prescribed fire plans following an unexpected delay due to precipitation across northern Arizona.

“Last weekend’s snow and rain is an example of why we always frame our prescribed fire plans as ‘tentative’ until we can conduct our pre-project test fire,” said Jason Clawson, Coconino National Forest Fire Staff Officer.

Successful prescribed fire requires ideal conditions. “Hazardous fuels” – including pine needle accumulation, dead and down trees and decaying plant matter on forest floors – need to be dry enough to burn at a low rate of intensity, but not too dry as to burn hot and fast.