Pile Burn operations planned for several at State Parks mid February

Over the next few weeks, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) plans to conduct pile burn operations at three Arizona state parks. DFFM supports Arizona State Parks and Trails every year with their fuels mitigation projects by providing qualified fire personnel to burn off debris piles leftover from their project work.

Dead Horse Ranch State Park
On Tuesday, February 11, DFFM will burn off piles along the southwest and northwest sides of Dead Horse Ranch State Park in
Cottonwood. Ignitions to the 25-acre project are planned for 9:00am and should take a few hours to complete. Firing operations will be monitored and adjusted according to the weather and fire behavior. The project may be visible to the community of Cottonwood. Smoke is expected to move to the north/northeast with some minor impacts to the park and the town. Crews will monitor the piles overnight and through the following day checking for any residual heat.

Picacho Peak State Park
On Wednesday, February 12, firing operations will take place at Picacho Peak State Park, southeast of Eloy. This project is also a
25-acre pile burn on the southwest side of the park. Due to the location of the burn, smoke will be very visible to drivers along I-10. Smoke may impact the nearby RV park and homes within the vicinity of the burn. In addition, drivers along I-10 should be advised to use caution through the area. Ignitions are expected to begin around 9:00am.

Lost Dutchman State Park
On Tuesday, February 18, DFFM will start a pile burn operation at Lost Dutchman State Park, northeast of Apache Junction. Project work takes place on the southeast side of the park and away from active campgrounds. Approximately 25-acres in piles will be treated. Smoke will be visible to park visitors, along SR-88, and some residents of Apache Junction. Ignitions are tentatively planned for 10:00am.

These pile burn operations help reduce leftover debris from prior, ongoing fuels work conducted by Arizona State Parks and Trails staff to reduce the fire threat to their parks and adjacent communities. Dead Horse Ranch, Picacho Peak, and Lost Dutchman State Parks will remain open to visitors. All prescribed fire projects, whether pile burns or broadcast burns are weather dependent and can be rescheduled or postponed due to resource availability or unfavorable weather conditions. Projects must have approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality prior to burning.

For day-of prescribed fire project information:
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