burns

Fire specialists will conduct a prescribed burn to reduce vegetative debris piles in the Diamond Point area and Forest Road 65 on the Payson Ranger District beginning Monday, Feb. 28 through Wednesday, March 2, 2022.

Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see and smell light-to-moderate amounts of smoke during the three-day 71-acre prescribed fire operation. To minimize the impact of smoke, fire personnel will end ignitions each day by 3 p.m.

The Flagstaff Ranger District plans to conduct five pile burn projects that are scattered across the district, but mostly north of Flagstaff, beginning tomorrow (Feb. 23) and continuing through Friday.

These projects are comprised of very large piles of forest materials from previous mechanical treatments, which are best burned in conditions that are predicted over the next several days where adequate snowfall is present. Having a good base of snow around the piles allows fire managers easier control and keeps fire from moving beyond the intended target.