Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

The Springerville Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests plans to conduct 20 acre prescribed slash pile burns January 14 through January 17, 2020, if weather conditions allow. This unit consists of piled debris left over from timber thinning operations, and spans across approximately 140 acres. The unit is located near Forest Service Road 117, Forest Service Road 8453, the Greens Peak Lookout, and Hall Ranch. Ignitions during snow storms and/or snow pack minimize pile creep (the burning through duff and litter (forest soil organic matter) surrounding the pile).

The Alpine Ranger District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is planning pile burns beginning Monday, January 13 through March 15, 2020, as weather conditions permit. The units consist of piled debris which are left over from the recent timber sales surrounding the community of Alpine. Ignitions during snow storms and/or snow pack are necessary in order to minimize pile creep.

The Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests plan to conduct a prescribed slash pile burn January 14 through January 17, 2020, if weather conditions allow. This unit consists of piled debris left over from the Billy Mountain Timber Sale and spans across approximately 10 acres. The unit is north of Stone Pine Estates along Buck Springs Road.

Ignitions during snow storms and/or snow pack minimize pile creep (the burning through duff and litter (forest soil organic matter) surrounding the pile).

Discovered:  May 2, 2019 

Location: Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

• Approximately 3 miles southwest of Heber Overgaard 

Size: 503 acres Percent Containment: 60%

Cause: Natural    Personnel Assigned: 30                          

Incident Commander: Joshua Salazar

The Black Mesa Ranger District plans to conduct a prescribed burn within the Heber-Overgaard Green Waste Site on Forest Road 488F Rd in Township 12N, Range 17 East, and Section 16 starting Monday, October 15, just north of Overgaard on State Highway 277. Smoke will be seen from Highways 260, 277, and 377 and will have light to moderate impacts to Heber and those highways throughout the week but should decrease significantly each evening after the primary ignition occurs.

The 377 Fire is 70 percent contained at 4,514 acres in size. The fire was human-caused. 63 personnel are assigned to the 377 Fire.

Summary: The 377 Fire was first reported at 1:26 p.m. Monday afternoon as 15 individual ignitions along a 21 mile stretch of state highway.  The spot fires ignited within forested land quickly grew together and consumed 4,514 acres of pinyon-juniper vegetation before sundown on Monday. A robust initial attack resulted in a halt of forward fire progression by Monday evening. 

The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING for Thursday May 17 from 11 am to 7 pm for all of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) and most of eastern Arizona due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Relative humidity levels are expected to drop into the single digits and wind gusts are expected to be between 30 to 40 mph over the White Mountains and Mogollon Rim Country.

Due to increasing drought conditions and high to very high fire danger across the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs), area closures will be implemented in some parts of the forest. Areas outside of the closures with remain in Stage II Fire Restrictions.

Closure areas are decided upon by district and forest leadership with the primary objective of providing protection to communities at risk of wildland fire. Prevailing southwest winds are consistent to areas within the geographical location of the ASNFs and will play a role in determining locations of area closures.

The Wood Fire is burning northwest of Woods Canyon Lake. Saturday, crews continued to wrestle high winds for control of the fire, not only succeeding in holding the lines but achieving 25% containment. 

Today crews are focused on strengthening the lines where the fire is most active, and mopping up along containment lines.  Lower wind speeds and cooler temperatures are providing relief and facilitating the crews in their efforts.

The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING and/or a Fire Weather Watch for Thursday and Friday, May 10 and 11 for all of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) and most of the state of Arizona due to strong winds and low relative humidity.