Payson and Tonto Basin prescribed fire operations cancelled

Prescribed fire operations planned for the Payson and Tonto Basin Ranger Districts on Dec. 6 have been cancelled due to rain. 

Fire specialists plan to reschedule these operations when weather conditions are more favorable. The prescribed fires cancelled include the debris pile burns near Christopher Creek Campground and Tonto Basin community pile burns near Punkin Center and the 83 pit south of the Tonto Monument. 

The Forest Service conducts prescribed fires to reduce the build-up of hazardous fuel loads such as leaf litter, grasses, and shrubs to prevent the risk of catastrophic wildfires as well as improve forest health.

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