Arizona State Department of Forestry and Fire Management and Coconino National Forest fire managers plan to take advantage of current weather conditions and begin work on a highly visible prescribed burn project southwest of Flagstaff starting tomorrow.

Prescribed burns are always dependent upon multiple conditions, including personnel availability, fuel conditions, weather and approval from the Arizona Department of Environment Quality. Prescribed burns may be changed or canceled last-minute if burn conditions do not meet criteria outlined in advance.

Fire managers plan to continue prescribed fire operations on the Lakeside Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests beginning December 16 through December 20, 2024, as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations.

Over the fall and winter months, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) plans to take advantage of seasonally cooler temperatures to accomplish multiple prescribed fire projects throughout Arizona.

State prescribed fire managers say so far projects are planned for Coconino, Apache, Navajo, Maricopa, and Yavapai Counties.

Project work remains dependent on resource availability and on favorable weather conditions which provide for safe burning efforts and successful project implementation and completion.