UPDATE: Prescribed fire treatments north of Young, Arizona postponed due to weather
Update at 2/22/21 10:48 a.m.: Fire officials have postponed prescribed burns on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District due to unfavorable weather conditions. The burns were planned for the southeast side of the 512 Road (also known as the Young Road) between mileposts 315 and 318, Feb. 23-24. The prescribed fire treatments will be rescheduled for the following week pending optimal weather conditions.
For information updates contact the Payson/Pleasant Valley District Ranger Station at (928) 474-7900 or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Original at 2/22/21 8:45 a.m.: Firefighters on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District will be conducting prescribed fire treatments on the southeast side of the 512 Road (also known as the Young Road) between mileposts 315 and 318, Feb. 23-24, 2021.
Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see and smell moderate amounts of smoke during the prescribed fire operation. Smoke will impact the 512 road during the day. In the evening hours, smoke will impact Pleasant Valley, Young and the 512 Road. Fire personnel will end ignitions each day by 3 p.m. to minimize the impact of smoke. Residual smoke may linger in these areas thru Sunday, Feb. 28.
Signs will be posted on roads likely to be affected by smoke and motorists are urged to use caution and slow down for the safety of firefighters and the public.
Broadcast burning allows fire managers the important option of burning under the right conditions to reduce catastrophic wildfire danger by reducing debris off the forest floor from about 20-22 tons per acre to about 5-7 tons per acre. These fire treatments typically continue for several days and are conducted when fuel moisture content of the vegetation and weather conditions are favorable. Low-to-moderate winds are needed to carry flames and to dissipate smoke during and after ignition operations and to achieve beneficial effects sought by land managers.
The decision to conduct a prescribed fire treatment is always dependent on conditions such as: wind speed and direction, temperature, fuel moisture content, relative humidity and other variables. Burning under the right conditions also provides for the protection of valuable natural and cultural resources. Additionally, it decreases danger to the public and firefighters.
Over the years, the Payson Ranger District has been successful integrating focused, cost-effective fire prevention, fire suppression and prescribed fire strategies in a safe and effective manner. The integration of these three efforts help support healthy forest landscapes and ecosystems, while reducing catastrophic wildfire danger and protecting and enhancing natural resources, wildlife habitat and watersheds in the North Zone.
For more information call the Payson/Pleasant Valley District Ranger Station at (928) 474-7900 or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
