Wildlife habitat improvement project
Fire managers on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are preparing to start a prescribed fire project two miles north of Show Low within the Redhead Marsh area along Forest Road 9701K. The project consists of two units, Redhead Marsh 1 for 18 acres and Polishing Ponds 1 and 2 for 10 acres. Crews plan to start the prescribed fires between Oct. 10 and Oct. 20 pending favorable conditions.
The ponds are treated with prescribed fire every few years on a rotational basis to improve wildlife habitat. This project is a cooperative effort with the City of Show Low Wastewater Treatment Department, the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside Water Department. The objective is to maintain the balance of wetland and riparian ecosystems in the Pintail Lake complex using prescribed fire to reduce dead fuels and stimulate new growth of wetland vegetation.
The public should expect to see smoke from Highway 60, Highway 77 and Highway 260. With the grassy vegetation, considerable smoke is expected for a short duration and then disperse quickly. Fire managers will be closely evaluating environmental conditions leading up to, during, and after ignitions to make sure they are within the criteria outlined in the prescribed burn plan.
Visit the A-S National Forests website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/asnf and follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/apachesitgreavesnfs.