Fire managers on the Verde Ranger District plan to burn 2,805 acres of the Crater RX. Ignitions are planned to start on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, through Thursday, November 9, 2023, pending favorable weather conditions and resource availability.
The Crater RX is located near the community of Cherry, north of Hwy 169 and east of County Road 75 (T14N, R3E, Sec 29, 30, 31, 32). A combination of ground and aviation resources will be used to meet the project objectives. The 132 Blacklining RX that occurred last week created a fuel break or buffer between the community of Cherry and the perimeter of the Crater RX.
Smoke will be visible from Prescott Valley, Dewey, Prescott, Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Camp Verde, and the I-17 corridor. Expect large volume of smoke during day light hours and overnight smoke impacts in Prescott Valley, Dewey and surrounding low lying area. Those traveling County Road 75 can expect road delays and are advised to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the burn as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.
The project also furthers the goals of the Forest Service’s national Wildfire Crisis Strategy to restore forests so they are less vulnerable to extreme wildfires that can risk lives and property, impact watersheds and wildlife habitat. Values to be protected include private inholdings on Mingus Mountain (the University of Arizona 4 H Camp, Brindle Pup Mine and Recreation Residence), communications sites on the top of Mingus Mountain, the communities of Cherry and Whitehorse and Forest Infrastructure in the Mingus Mountain Recreation Area. Ecological benefits include increasing vegetation diversity, improving wildlife habitat and reducing invasive plants.
Prescott National Forest’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health and the strategy includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Using low to moderate fire behavior, we can better protect communities, while improving watersheds, wildlife habitat, and forest health.
All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).
Messages will be posted on social media when prescribed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:
For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.