Williams Ranger District to burn Moonset Pit debris pile Friday October 18

With forecasted moisture expected to arrive by the weekend ahead, fire managers on the Williams Ranger District are hopeful to burn and consume the woody debris pile at the Moonset Pit green waste disposal site near the community of Parks on Friday October 18.

Although this pile is usually burned in the winter months, fire managers elected to burn it now anticipating faster and more complete consumption, better smoke ventilation, and ultimately reducing the long lingering heat in the pit that usually occurs in the colder weather. Smoke production is expected to be minimal after the first few hours with rapid dispersion and shorter duration. Some Smoke may linger over the weekend.

The Moonset Pit serves the local area by providing a location for the disposal of natural forest debris.

Moonset Pit is located just west of the Parks community on a dirt road east of Spitz Springs on the north side of Old Route 66. The pit is scheduled to reopen for local use in the late spring/early summer of 2025.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these areas will be visible to the public. Motorists are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through the project vicinity.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html.

Additional information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, X, Facebook, and Flickr or by calling or local ranger stations.