Coconino National Forest

A wildfire approximately 4 miles north of Flagstaff on the west side of the San Francisco Peaks was reported at 5:30 a.m. today and is producing a lot of smoke visible to surrounding residents.

The Twisted Fire is currently about 2 acres with minimal activity, and firefighting resources on scene include a Hotshot crew, several engines, a dozer, and water tender.

The Coconino and Kaibab national forests of northern Arizona will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions across both forests at 8 a.m., June 13, due to increasing fire danger and the need to prevent human-caused wildfires during potentially dangerous fire conditions.

The Kaibab National Forest will also temporarily close the Bill Williams Mountain watershed just southwest of the City of Williams due to the area's susceptibility to uncharacteristically severe wildfire and the post-wildfire flooding that would result.

In continuing the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest is in the process of closing its highest-use destinations and day-use sites in the Sedona area in response to large numbers of people hiking, congregating, and not practicing social distancing.

In coordination with Verde Valley and Sedona civic leaders, the following trails and day-use sites will be closed this weekend, until further notice:

Coconino County Public Works, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, has ignited the annual green waste burn at the Willard Springs Transfer Station. The burn is located 17 miles south of Flagstaff on the west side of I-17.

The annual green waste burn reduces the existing stockpile of pine needles, tree trimmings and other green waste at the transfer station prior to the 2020 fire season. The burn is expected to smolder until mid-spring and will be monitored by the Mormon Lake Ranger Station, Pinewood Fire Department and the Coconino County Public Works Solid Waste Division.

Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns next week in two areas south and southeast of Flagstaff.
 
Prescribed burn projects are part of a strategy to allows fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them. In doing so, we reduce the fuels that can otherwise become dangerous elements for extreme wildfires.
 

The Flagstaff Ranger District has recently updated and renewed an important forest order for camping and campfire restrictions around the Flagstaff area that will help reduce the number of abandoned campfires and keep communities safer.
 
Forest Order 03-04-20-5-F prohibits any camping and campfires within Coconino National Forest around Flagstaff and its surrounding communities. A detailed map and explanation of exact boundaries can be found under the Forest Orders link on the Coconino National Forest website, or by viewing the official forest order here.
 

Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct pile burns starting today in several areas taking advantage of today's wind changes to prevent smoke impacts on our communities.
 
These burns are part of the thinning projects planned on the Flagstaff Ranger District, Mogollon Rim Ranger District and the Red Rock Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire treatment to protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct pile burns starting today in several areas taking advantage of today's wind changes to prevent smoke impacts on our communities.
 
These burns are part of the thinning projects planned on the Flagstaff Ranger District, Mogollon Rim Ranger District and the Red Rock Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire treatment to protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

With extreme winter weather conditions approaching, many forest roads across Coconino National Forest will be closed through the weekend, beginning today, in order to keep visitors from getting stranded and also protect forest roads from damage.
 
This means gates will be swung and locked at the entrance of the closed forest roads, or signed barricades will be installed, letting the public know the road is closed.
 
Flagstaff Ranger District

Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns next week in several areas that have been previously postponed due to earlier conditions that would have heavily impacted communities with smoke.