InciWeb the Incident Information System: Coconino Prescribed Fires

ANNOUNCEMENT

Tentative prescribed fire plans for the week of October 26
Pending favorable conditions, fire managers are planning prescribed fires on the following projects for the week of October 26.All prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability,... more

INCIDENT UPDATED 10/23/2009

Incident Overview

Approximately 19 prescribed fire projects -- about 44,000 acres total -- are planned throughout the Coconino National Forest for the 2009-2010 season. Acreages may not all be accomplished this year depending on how often and how long conditions are suitable. Fall and winter weather typically provides the most opportunities for applying low-intensity fire to the landscape.

Prescribed burns are part of an ongoing program to improve forest health and reduce hazardous fuels. The forest depends on low-intensity fire to reduce accumulated vegetation, enhance wildlife habitat, and recycle valuable nutrients into the soil. "Fire is natural and necessary, and will occur. Prescribed burning will not eliminate the chances of wildfires," said Vic Morfin, Coconino National Forest Fuels Management Officer. "However, prescribed burning reduces the likelihood of extreme behavior during an unplanned fire, creating a safer situation for the community and our firefighters."

To accomplish these forest health goals, forest managers use two types of prescribed burns:

· Broadcast burns involve applying fire across the forest floor. Small flames make their way along the surface consuming logs, branches, and accumulated leaves and needles while recycling nutrients back into the soil. Broadcast burns typically produce the most noticeable smoke.

· Pile burns require more moisture in the surrounding vegetation and are usually conducted when snow is on the ground. Piles consist of the slash from forest thinning projects, which includes small logs and branches. Pile burning usually produces less smoke than broadcast burns.

Prescribed burns are termed such because they are conducted within a "prescription" that defines the fuel moisture levels, air temperatures, wind conditions, and relative humidity levels that are appropriate. All prescribed fire activity is dependent on personnel availability, weather - including ventilation conditions, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).

Fire managers work closely with ADEQ to monitor air quality throughout the burning process. "We strive to minimize smoke impacts to our communities," said Morfin. "But smoke will be in the air, so we encourage folks to learn where, when, and how prescribed burns are conducted so they can be better prepared to handle any impacts."

Regular news releases will be distributed to local media with planned prescribed fire activity. The public can also obtain information via the following:

Prescribed Fire Hotline: 928-226-4607

Coconino National Forest Website: www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino Click on the Prescribed Fire Link to the right of the page

Sign-up to receive regular email notifications: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/subscription Choose "Southwestern Region"

Local Ranger Stations: Peaks Ranger District (Flagstaff), 928-526-0866; Red Rock Ranger District (Sedona) 928-203-2900; Mogollon Rim Ranger District (Blue Ridge) 928-477-2255