Prescott National Forest

Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to burn debris piles near the community of Groom Creek, in and around Iron Springs, Lynx Lake, Walker Road, Goldwater Lake and near White Spar Campground.  Recent moisture and higher humidity provide desired conditions to burn piles created from previous fuels reduction projects.  Ignitions are planned to start as early as Wednesday, October 13,  2021 and will continue through the month of October as long as favorable weather conditions allow.  Fire managers expect smoke impacts to be light in the surrounding areas.

Warning for Granite Basin Lake and Horsethief Basin Lake located on the Bradshaw Ranger District and Mingus Lake located on the Verde Ranger District: An increase in vegetation growth has occurred on Granite Basin Lake this summer. As the vegetation dies and decomposes there is greater biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The consequence of high BOD causes low dissolved oxygen that stresses aquatic organisms. This has ultimately resulted in fish kill at Granite Basin Lake.

Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to burn debris piles near the community of Groom Creek, in and around Lynx Lake, Walker Road, Goldwater Lake, and near White Spar Campground.  Recent monsoon moisture and higher humidity provide desired conditions to burn piles created from previous fuels reduction projects.  Ignitions are planned to start as early as Thursday, August 19, 2021 and will continue as long as favorable weather conditions allow.  

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team has completed the post-fire assessment on the Rafael Fire, and Forest officials on the Coconino and Prescott National Forests have re-evaluated and reduced the Rafael Fire area closure.

Due to monsoonal activity and sufficient rainfall, the Prescott National Forest will rescind all fire restrictions as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 21, 2021. 

Fire danger is moderate across the forest. Visitors are still asked to remain vigilant and avoid activities that could accidentally cause wildfires – refrain from campfires on dry and windy days and remember that it is always illegal to leave a campfire unattended. In addition, fireworks are never allowed on any National Forest land.

With scattered precipitation received across the forest, Prescott National Forest will reduce current Fire and Shooting Restrictions and enter back into Stage I Fire Restrictions on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 8:00 AM.  Restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire.

Stage I fire restrictions prohibit the following:

A BAER team was established to begin a burned area assessment of the Tiger wildfire. BAER assessments are rapid evaluations of the burned area to identify unacceptable risks on National Forest Service (NFS) lands from post-fire threats. The team’s focus is on the emergency actions necessary to protect life and safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources on NFS lands.

Management of the Tiger Fire has transitioned to a Type 4 Team.  Early morning rain yesterday arrived over the Tiger Fire footprint bringing wetting rains over the perimeter until mid-morning. Amounts of rain recorded in the fire area varied from between .01 to .6 inches. These amounts further suppressed fire activity on the fire and will allow the fire scar to begin new growth. Future rain events do have the possibility of flooding if ger amounts of rainfall occur.

Firefighters have mapped the Buzzard Fire and reduced its size to 48 acres.  With a secured perimeter the fire is now 100% contained; firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor.  All roads in the fire area are open. 

For information on the Prescott National Forest, check out the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.   

There will be no additional Facebook Live broadcasts with the IC for the Tiger Fire. 

FIRE CLOSURE: 
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and Prescott National Forest have closed County Road 177 and national forest lands generally south of County Road 177 from Mayer west to Palace Station, except for Crown King residents with identification. For detailed information see: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7595/