Fire managers on the Alpine Ranger District are planning prescribed fire pile burns in four locations within the West Escudilla Restoration Project
where timber thinning was conducted. Burning these piles will treat cumulative fuel loading and reduce potential threats from wildfires. Project burn dates, weather and site conditions permitting, areplanned for January 23 through February 2, 2024. The total project areas comprise 1,214 acres.
Smoke from these prescribed fire pile burns will be visible and may impact Highway 180/191 and the communities of Alpine and Nutrioso. Drivers are cautioned that visibility may be reduced, especially in the overnight hours when smoke settles near the ground.
Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health.
Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).