The Upper Bear fire was discovered on May 24, 2024 and is located approximately a half-mile south of Forest Road 54 and two miles west of the Blue Vista overlook on Highway 191. The one-acre fire ignited in a pocket of unburned fuels within the East Eagle prescribed fire project area that was implemented between mid-April and early May, 2024.
The Upper Bear fire is in steep, rugged, inaccessible terrain. It will be monitored daily by firefighting personnel to ensure that it stays within the boundaries of the East Eagle prescribed fire project area.
There are no threats to communities, infrastructure, or values at risk currently. To provide for public safety, visitors should use caution while recreating in the area.
Smoke will be visible from Highway 191 and the Blue Vista overlook. To access air quality information and interactive map data go to the AirNow website at https://www.airnow.gov/.
The East Eagle prescribed fire is within the San Carlos Tribal Forest Protection Project which is one of the National Priority Landscapes. These landscape treatments are a cooperative effort with the San Carlos Apache Tribe and includes; the National Forest Foundation, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Mule Deer Foundation, and the Salt River Project.
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