Lakeside Ranger District

UPDATE

Fire crews completed ignitions on the Mud Springs prescribed fire on Nov. 8, 2023. Residual smoke is expected to diminish over the next few days and air quality impacts to Vernon and adjacent communities should continue to improve. More information on air quality is available at https://www.airnow.gov/.

Tonto National Forest firefighters with San Carlos Apache Tribe crews will begin a 3,760-acre prescribed burn near Carol Springs Mountain beginning Oct. 26 through Nov. 17. 

Firefighters will treat 2,500 acres within the Carol Springs north block and 1,260 acres in the Carol Springs south block. These areas are located about 25 miles north of Globe, Arizona, on the Globe Ranger District. The operation is part of the Tonto’s Timber Camp prescribed fire plan to treat 7,313 acres in the San Carlos Apache Tribal Forest Protection Act project area.

Lakeside Ranger District

Fire managers plan to move operations to the Lakeside Ranger District this week when they begin the Mud Springs prescribed fire, slated for Wednesday, Oct. 25. The 1,829-acre prescribed fire is 3 miles south of Vernon. Fire managers advise there will be temporary smoke impacts in Vernon and surrounding areas. Check air quality information at https://www.airnow.gov/. 

Fire managers and district rangers on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are looking for appropriate conditions to implement prescribed fires during the fall and winter months.

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests is currently working to begin prescribed fire operations beginning May 30 through June 10, 2023. The following prescribed fires will be initiated if conditions and approvals allow:

Lakeside Ranger District:
•    Lakeside East-Doyle and Ecks Units – May 30 through June 10, 2023, depending on weather. Location: three miles southwest of Vernon, AZ. Project boundary is along and within Forest Road 44, Forest Road 3D and Forest Road 5. The public should expect to see smoke from Highway 60 and possibly 260.

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests plan to conduct multiple prescribed fire operations beginning May 3 and continuing through May 20, 2023. The following prescribed fires will be initiated if conditions and approvals allow:

Lakeside Ranger District: