The Coconino National Forest plans to implement several planned prescribed fire projects beginning Sunday and running throughout next week as wind and weather conditions become favorable for these landscape restoration projects.
Fire – both prescribed fire and wildfire – is an important part of the Coconino NF’s landscape. A combination of carefully planned prescribed fire and low-intensity lightning-sparked wildfire helps reduce hazardous fuels, such as downed trees and pine needle accumulation, across the forest floor.
Removing hazardous fuels during times of opportune weather – when winds are moderate, temperatures are lower and humidity is higher – helps prevent high-intensity and catastrophic wildfire during summer months.
The Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments across the landscape to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.
During prescribed fire, smoke will be visible from several areas across the forest.
Northern Arizona residents and forest visitors are reminded to look for information regarding planned prescribed fire projects if smoke is visible.
Please refrain from contacting dispatch or 911 to report prescribed fire smoke so lines can remain open for emergencies.
Red Rock Ranger District (RRRD)
Upper Beaver Creek Prescribed Fire project:
Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD)
Horseshoe Project (Wild Bill units)
Prescribed fire information can always be accessed in several ways:
Prescribed fire is always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed fire projects on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino NF prescribed fire projects begin with the designator “COF.”
We recognize that smoke impacts can affect residents and visitors in addition to our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with partners and communities to keep people informed about projects and potential smoke. Affected communities can learn more at airnow.gov.
Prior to implementing prescribed fire plans, the Coconino NF follows steps outlined in the agency-wide National Prescribed Fire Review. These steps include items such as validating and updating prescribed fire plans with the most recent science and modeling, incorporating new drought monitoring data, ensuring the patrol plan and long-term patrol strategy is documented and communicating with and involving landowners, cooperators, elected officials and partners as we implement prescribed fires.
Prescribed fire is an important part of maintaining forest health. For more information on why prescribed fire is conducted and how it benefits the landscape and help protect communities, please visit our Prescribed Fire and Forest Health webpage.
A map of the Upper Beaver Creek Prescribed Fire project:
A map of the Horseshoe Project: