USDA Forest Service
Tonto National Forest
Fire Information - Prescribed Burns
For Immediate Release Contact: Gary Roberts
March 5, 2010 Fire Prevention Officer
928-474-7900
Prescribed fire operations planned for week of March 9-11
near Payson: prescribed fire operations in Pine area almost complete
Payson, Ariz. (March 5, 2010) – Prescribed fire operations are planned for next week, Tues., Mar. 9 through Thur., Mar. 11. This week’s prescribed fire operations are aimed at eliminating about 40 remaining acres of vegetative debris piles on the west side of Pine, and about 50 acres of remaining debris piles on the southeast corner of Pine, announced Tonto National Forest officials today.
Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see moderate amounts of smoke each day of the prescribed fires. During the day, most smoke will loft up and move over the Mogollon Rim. Diurnal air flow in the evening hours will move residual smoke down Pine Creek where it may settle due to cold, inert winter air. The pile ignition will cease each day by 2 pm.
About 20 acres of vegetative debris piles in and around the Whispering Pines area are also targeted, Mar. 9 – 11. Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see light to moderate amounts of smoke during the prescribed fire operation. Ignition will cease by 2 pm. Little to no residual smoke is anticipated in this area during the evening hours due to this prescribed fire activity.
“In the past few weeks, we have worked in and around the Pine area, as weather permitted, to successfully eliminate hundreds of acres of vegetative debris piles with prescribed fire. It was a huge task and we have almost completed the elimination of debris piles in the Pine area,” stated Gary Roberts, Fire Prevention officer.
“This will conclude the lion’s share of debris pile elimination in the Pine area for this year and well into the future,” concluded Roberts. “All that remains to be eliminated are piles located on north-facing slopes and in drainages that are still covered in snow. As conditions warrant, we will eliminate the few remaining debris piles.”
Prescribed fire operations are always dependent on optimum weather conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture content, and wind speed and direction prior to ignition.
For information about prescribed fire and mechanical fuels reduction operations, please call the Payson Ranger District at 928-474-7900. Residents can also stay updated on forest prescribed fires at www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto. To report a wildland fire, the fire emergency number is 480-457-1555, or 866-746-6516.
Check back for updates.
Or go to their website;