PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo., April 8, 2019 –The Pagosa Ranger District in San Juan National Forest is planning to conduct several prescribed burns near Pagosa Springs. Burning operations will take place over several days beginning mid-April. Work may continue through June depending on weather and fuel conditions.

Burn units are located in the following areas northwest of town; adjacent to Turkey Springs (FSR Road 629), East Monument (FSR 630), Brockover (FSR 919) and Newt Jack roads (FSR 923). These burn units are within the Brockover I & II, Turkey Springs Piles and Devil Creek II Burn Plans. This year’s efforts expand upon prescribed burning which took place in August/September 2016. It is part of an overall fuels reduction project involving both mechanical treatment and prescribed fire, encompassing approximately 5,000 acres.

Additional burn units are located in Fawn Gulch, Mill Creek and the Piedra River areas. Fawn Gulch are adjacent to Archuleta County Road 113/FSR 666, an area mowed in 2017. Mill Creek are adjacent to Mill Creek Road (Archuleta County Road 302), Nipple Mountain Road (FSR 665) and Echo Canyon Road (FSR 029). These burn units vary in size from 100 to 500 acres. The Piedra River burns include the Horsefly burn units and the Lower Piedra Campground piles.
Burning operations will be conducted by Forest Service personnel, assisted by fire resources from cooperating agencies. The purpose is to reduce hazardous ground fuels, reduce the risk of unplanned large scale wildfires, restore ponderosa pine ecosystems and improve wildlife habitat.

Vegetation in the burn units consists of ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, grass, and small pockets of logging slash. All of the units have received previous fuels-reduction treatments such as mowing of shrubs and small trees, thinning and piling, and timber harvest. Ponderosa pine forests are a fire adapted ecosystem, which historically experienced frequent, low intensity fires on a large scale. Prescribed fire replicates that fire regime under controlled conditions.

Prescribed fires will only be ignited when all weather, fuels and smoke requirements are met. For additional information, please contact Fred Ellis, Assistant Fire Management Officer (Fuels), Pagosa Ranger District (970) 264-1541.

This Wednesday through Friday, April 6-8, fire managers are tentatively planning to continue treatments on the Reed Prescribed Fire Project near Tusayan.  Pending favorable conditions crews will conduct up to 300 acres of broadcast burning (applying fire across the forest floor) on the Upper Ten-X unit northeast of town.

The National Weather Service is predicting a chance of rain/snow on Monday which could delay operations, potentially to the following week. Precipitation is one of many factors that affect plans to burn. When the ground is too wet, fire cannot effectively move across the forest floor or fully consume the fuels, creating smoke but not meeting restoration objectives.

When crews move forward with ignitions, smoke may be visible from State Route 64, Tusayan, and the Grand Canyon and is expected to disperse northeast during the day. Residual smoke will settle into drainages and low-lying areas around Tusayan overnight. The portion of the Arizona Trail that is nearby will remain open.

This spring, fire mangers on the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts are planning treatments on the following projects:

Williams, Arizona, January 3, 2022 — Prescribed fire pile burning will be occurring across the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest beginning the first week of January on both the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts. 

Winter weather with snow on the ground present excellent opportunities every year for fire crews to burn and consume piled slash and woody debris left over from previous forest restoration projects. For the month of January, approximately 1100 acres of piles south and southwest of the city of Williams are planned for burning with an additional 500 acres on the Tusayan Ranger District.

Operations will be focused on the Williams district this week. On Monday January 3, about 11 acres of piles will be ignited near the peak of Bill Williams Mountain. The following two days crews will be working on the south side of the mountain and along forest road 122 burning another 1100 acres by the weekend.

Smoke will likely be visible from the City of Williams and several areas surrounding these burns including by travelers on Perkinsville Road (FS-73) and Interstate 40.

Smoke production is expected to be minimal after the first few hours with rapid dispersion as piles consume. Some smoke has potential to settle overnight into the lower elevations including on the 73-road due to fluctuating atmospheric temperatures that produce nighttime inversions.

Forest visitors are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through any prescribed fire project vicinity.  

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html

Additional fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:

Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Williams, Arizona, Nov 14, 2021 — Prescribed fire operations will continue in the week ahead on both the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts at three project locations on the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest.

On Monday, November 15, ignitions will occur on the Reed Rx Project: “Skinner North Unit”, 6 miles southeast of Tusayan. This unit is approximately 1400 acres in size. A helicopter may be utilized to conduct aerial ignitions providing conditions are suitable to meet objectives.

On Tuesday November 16, 155 acres on the “Upper Ten X Unit”, 3 miles east of Tusayan will be treated.

Both these burns will produce visible smoke have the potential to impact Highway 64 and the community of Tusayan with early morning smoke caused by overnight inversion. Smoke is expected to lift and ventilate out rapidly by about 9:00 am each morning.

The Grand Canyon National Park may also be conducting prescribed fire operations on the south rim in the same general vicinity which may also have potential smoke impacts on local communities.

On Wednesday November 17, crews will shift operations to the Williams Ranger District and begin ignitions on the Marteen Rx Project: “Backward Unit”, located 5 miles north of Spring Valley, and west of forest road 144. Approximately 1028 acres are scheduled for treatment on this unit. Aerial ignitions from a helicopter may also be used on this project to shorten ignition time and allow more hours in the day for ventilation reducing long term smoke impacts.

Smoke will be visible from Highways 64 and 180 and have potential to drift into the communities of Red Lake and Valle overnight.

Prescribed fire is used fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety. On each day, fire managers evaluate local conditions that include weather patterns, temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, fuel moistures, and smoke ventilation. Daily ignitions will only occur when environmental factors align with the required prescription that will achieve desired results and meet land management objectives.

The Forest Service’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, which includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape.

Although impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, the objective is to significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed methods. Fire managers will actively monitor atmospheric conditions daily and use strategies to minimize smoke impacts to rural developed areas.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities may be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.  For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html

For additional information about prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest, please visit the following sources:

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Tusayan, Arizona, Nov 8, 2021 — A series of prescribed fire projects will begin today and continue throughout the week at various locations across the Tusayan Ranger District on the Kaibab National Forest. Approximately 3200 acres are scheduled to be ignited at the following specific locations beginning Monday, November 8, and continuing through Friday November 12.

A helicopter may be utilized to conduct aerial ignitions on the larger units once operations begin. Burning the units rapidly and earlier in the day provides more time for smoke to lift and ventilate away reducing overnight inversion and long-term impacts to local areas.

Prescribed fire is used fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety. On each day, fire managers evaluate local conditions that include weather patterns, temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, fuel moistures, and smoke ventilation. Daily ignitions will only occur when environmental factors align with the required prescription that will achieve desired results and meet land management objectives.

The Forest Service’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, which includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. A healthy forest is a resilient forest that undergoes fire occurrences on a regular basis. The Kaibab National Forest works with partners, collaborators, and communities to clearly identify objectives and address concerns during the planning process for prescribed fires.

Officials recognize that impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed methods than in an uncontrolled wildfire situation. Additionally, fire managers will actively monitor atmospheric conditions daily and use strategies to minimize smoke impacts to rural developed areas.

During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities may be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.  For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html

Fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained from the following sources:

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Tusayan, Arizona, October 22, 2021 — Kaibab National Forest fire managers will be continuing work on the Reed Prescribed Fire project located on the Tusayan Ranger District beginning Monday October 25. Crews will broadcast burn a low intensity 228-acre block on the upper Ten X Unit of the Reed Prescribed fire project located 3 miles east of the Town of Tusayan.

Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

 Tusayan, Arizona, October 22, 2021 — Kaibab National Forest fire managers will be continuing work on the Reed Prescribed Fire project located on the Tusayan Ranger District beginning Monday October 25. Crews will broadcast burn a low intensity 228-acre block on the upper Ten X Unit of the Reed Prescribed fire project located 3 miles east of the Town of Tusayan.
The operation is expected to be completed in one day with very little smoke impacts to surrounding communities. Smoke is forecasted to ventilate out to the north away from Tusayan and be short in duration. Residual smoke may settle into drainages and low-lying areas overnight. This burn may be visible at times from highway 64, the Town of Tusayan, and areas within the Grand Canyon National Park.
 
A portion of the Arizona Trail adjacent to the area being treated will be affected but will remain open. Hikers and trail users are asked to follow directions posted and comply with any temporary detours that may be in place during operations. Visitors should always use extra caution when passing through any area where prescribed burns are occurring.

The Kaibab National Forest is a fire adapted ecosystem. It is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining vibrant forest health. Lack of fire in the forest has caused an abundance of fuels to build up, which can make the forest vulnerable and susceptible to more dangerous uncontrollable fire incidents. Reintroducing fire back into the ecosystem is a very effective tool to reduce fuel loads and restore the landscape back to a healthier state that is more aligned with historical conditions. 

  Williams, Arizona, Sept 30, 2021 — Fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest are planning for the 2021 fall and 2022 spring prescribed fire burning season that is expected to begin in October of this year. 

A final decision on which units will be ignited will be made based on environmental conditions, resource availability, fuel moisture levels, air quality and forecast weather as outlined in the prescribed fire plan.

 The following project areas are planned for treatments on the Tusayan and Williams Ranger Districts: 

• Three Sisters Rx Project:  Just north of the City Williams, approx. 4000 acres

• Marteen Rx Project: 5 miles northwest of Spring Valley, approx. 4700 acres

• Round Rx Project: 10 miles south of Williams east of Vista Point, approx. 5000 acres

• Reed Rx Project: South and northeast of Tusayan, approx. 6600 acres.

• Russell Rx Project: Southeast of Tusayan, approx. 1000 acres.

• Blue Stem Rx Project: Southeast corner of Tusayan District, approx. 7700 acres.

   

  The following project areas are planned for treatments on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park:

• RX 300 Project: Just south of Duck on a Rock Overlook along Hwy. 64, 391 acres

• Grapevine Rx Project: 1 mile southwest of Hwy. 64 mile marker 247, 865 acres

• Lonetree Rx Project: 0.5 mile east of South Entrance Station along NPS southern boundary, 926 acres

On the North Kaibab Ranger District and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park, the Forest Service and National Park Service operate as a single, interagency fire program referred to as the “North Zone” that is responsible for all fires on National Forest and National Park lands.  The following projects areas are planned for treatments on the North Kaibab Ranger District (NKRD) and the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA):

• Big Ridge East Rx Project (NKRD):  2 miles east of Jacob Lake, 472 acres.

• Buffalo Hill Rx Project (NKRD):  1 mile SE of Jacob Lake, 4519 acres.

• Road Hollow North Rx Project (NKRD):  9 miles S of Big Springs, 1739 acres.

• Road Hollow South Rx Project (NKRD):  9 miles S of Big Springs, 2281 acres.

• Big Saddle Rx Project (NKRD):  1/2 mile north of Crazy Jug, 957 acres.

• Dry Park Tower Rx Project (NKRD): 3 miles west of DeMotte, 1400 acres.

• Dry Park Blowdown Rx Project (NKRD): 3 miles west of DeMotte, 1400 acres.

• Dry Park Lakes Rx Project (NKRD): 3 miles west of DeMotte, 4067 acres.

• North Ridge Heavies Rx Project (GRCA): along Kaibab NF boundary, 50+ acres.

• Slopes Rx Project (GRCA): west of North Entrance Station, 500+ acres.

• Harvey Meadow Rx Project (GRCA): north of Grand Canyon Lodge, 43 acres

   

  Fire plays a beneficial role in maintaining the ecological stability of many landscapes including the Kaibab National Forest. Managers use prescribed fire as a practical means to reduce risks associated with uncharacteristic wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety.

  The Forest Service’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, which includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. A healthy forest is a resilient forest that undergoes fire occurrences on a regular basis. The Kaibab National Forest works with partners, collaborators, and communities to clearly identify objectives and address concerns during the planning process for prescribed fires.

   

  Officials recognize that impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed methods than in an uncontrolled wildfire situation. Additionally, fire managers will actively monitor atmospheric conditions daily and use strategies to minimize smoke impacts to rural developed areas.

   

  During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened caution when passing through active project areas.

   

  Individual news releases will be forthcoming throughout the season, detailing specific information about each burn.

   

  All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.  For additional information about the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burn authorizations, please visit: legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html

   

  Fire information for Kaibab National Forest can be obtained from the following sources:

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Kaibab Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Kaibab website “Recent News”: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Kaibab South Zone Rx Fire: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

 Tusayan, Arizona, April 28, 2021 — Kaibab National Forest fire managers will be continuing work on the Reed Prescribed Fire project located on the Tusayan Ranger District approximately 3 miles northeast of the town of Tusayan beginning Saturday of this week.
Crews will begin ignitions on a 117-acre unit near the junction of forest roads 9121G and 9121GA northeast of the Ten X Ranch. Additional units may be burned into the week ahead providing weather conditions remain favorable to achieve desired effects that meet land management objectives.
Smoke may be visible at times from highway 64, the Town of Tusayan, and areas within the Grand Canyon National Park. Fire managers strive to minimize smoke impacts and only conduct ignitions when conditions exist that will allow smoke to ventilate away from sensitive areas. Smoke is expected to disperse to the south during the day away from the community however residual smoke may settle into drainages and low-lying areas overnight.
The Kaibab National Forest is a fire adapted ecosystem. It is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining vibrant forest health. Lack of fire in the forest has caused an abundance of fuels to build up, which can make the forest vulnerable and susceptible to more dangerous uncontrollable fire incidents. Reintroducing fire back into the ecosystem is a very effective tool to reduce fuel loads and restore the landscape back to a healthier state that is more aligned with historical conditions.
During operations, fire personnel and vehicles working in these vicinities will be visible to the public. Motorists are asked to avoid active hot areas and are reminded to use caution and drive with heightened awareness when passing through the project vicinity.