Prescott National Forest Plans Goldwater Prescribed Burn May 20–31 to Reduce Wildfire Risk and Improve Forest Health
Fire managers on the Prescott National Forest plan to conduct prescribed fire operations in the Prescott Basin on the Bradshaw Ranger District south of Prescott, Arizona.
Ignitions are planned to start Tuesday May 20 through 31 depending on weather conditions and resource availability. The Goldwater Prescribed Burn is located east of Highway 89 and Ponderosa Park Road; west of School House Gulch Road; north of Marapai Road; and west of Goldwater Lake.
Resources will remain on scene to monitor and patrol in the days following the prescribed burn.
Trails in the Bean Peaks area may be temporarily closed during prescribed fire operations for public and firefighter safety, trails include the following.
• Green Bean #0007,
• Magic Bean #0015,
• Spicy Bean #0017,
• Baked Bean #0015,
• Beany Baby #0018,
• Mr. Bean #0007,
• Bean Sprout #0019,
• Rice and Beans #0018,
• Limey Bean #0023,
• Jelly Bean #0025,
• Ponderosa Trail #0382,
• Schoolhouse Gulch Trail #0067
Marapai Road and dispersed camping sites in this area may also be temporarily closed during prescribed fire operations for public and firefighter safety.
A variety of ground and aerial resources are being used to meet the project objectives. Expect smoke impacts to be light to moderate and visible from multiple locations including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Wilhoit, Chino Valley, and surrounding area communities.
As nighttime temperatures cool, smoke may linger in drainages and valleys. All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov). In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs, temporary road and trail closures, and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of prescribed burns as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.
Prescott National Forest’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health and reducing forest fuels. Prescribed fire with low to moderate fire behavior can reduce hazardous fuels and increase forest and community resilience. In the wildland-urban interface, prescribed fire also help create buffer zones where we have a higher probability of safely stopping future unwanted wildfires. We would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding as we work to treat hazardous fuels and restore resilient landscapes.
On days with prescribed fire activity there will be an information booth established to provide up to-date prescribed fire information. Follow us on our social media accounts for times and location.
For fire information please call the Bradshaw Ranger District at 928-443-8000 during regular office hours: Monday, Wednesdays, and Friday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm & 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm and Thursdays 11:oo am - 3:00 pm. Stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and X.
