Williams, Ariz., Jan. 31, 2019—For Immediate Release. Fuels reduction efforts on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest will begin on Friday of this week and continue into next week as weather conditions permit. Machine piles on two separate timber sale units on the district have been evaluated and are suitable for ignition at this time.

383 acres of piles in the Wright Timber Sale area located north of Parks on the south side of Government Hill will be ignited Friday, and an additional 200 acres will begin on Monday of next week on the Shiner Timber Sale project located just southwest of Dogtown Lake along forest road 140.

Fuels specialists will continue to assess conditions in the weeks ahead and plan to continue implementing prescribed fire activities as opportunities arise.

Crews will use tactics to minimize smoke production and reduce the potential for impacts to the surrounding roadways and adjacent communities.
During ignition operations, smoke will be visible from areas surrounding these units but is expected to be light in volume and short in duration.

These pile burns are just a couple of many ongoing forest restoration projects happening that are critical to improving forest health and increasing vital protection of forest resources and community values.
As with all prescribed burns, weather conditions will determine the day’s most suitable for ignitions that have the least amount of negative effects on air quality and the best possible ventilation.

The public can view approved prescribed fires for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/.
To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly throughout the year. Additional information can also be obtained through the following sources:

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Williams, Ariz., Dec. 20, 2018—For Immediate Release. Fuels reduction efforts on Bill Williams Mountain on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest are set to commence next week after the Christmas holiday. Prescribed burning of several units of slash piles along forest road 111 on the north and east slopes of the mountain will begin taking place as weather conditions permit.

Crews will start by treating small blocks each day in order to minimize smoke production and reduce the potential for impacts to the surrounding roadways and adjacent community.
During ignition operations, smoke will be highly visible from the City of Williams and from the Interstate 40 corridor from both the east bound and west bound lanes approaching the city.

Minimal to light smoke impacts may occur, however winds are expected to transport smoke to the south away from the developed areas and be very short in duration.

These pile burns are just one of many ongoing forest restoration projects happening on Bill Williams Mountain that are critical to improving forest health and increasing the protection of vital watershed resources for the city.

Work will also be continuing in the weeks ahead between Parks and Spring Valley on the south side of Government Hill, where crews began pile burns earlier this month.
As with all prescribed burns, weather conditions will determine the day’s most suitable for ignitions that have the least amount of negative effects on air quality and the best possible ventilation.

The public can view approved prescribed fires for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/.
To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.
Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly throughout the year. Additional information can also be obtained through the following sources:

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Williams, Ariz., Dec. 18, 2018—For Immediate Release. Kaibab National Forest fire officials are alerting the public that recent prescribed fire activities may be visible at several locations across the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts over the next several days and could possibly linger into the approaching Christmas holiday.

Forest visitors may see fire activity from recent pile burning operations that have been occurring over the past two weeks on the Kaibab National Forest. Low intensity surface creeping, smoldering logs, and light smoke in the vicinity of these project areas will continue to be visible as unseasonable warmer and dryer weather continues into the week ahead. All of these active burns are confined within their containment boundaries, and pose no control problems as they continue to consume debris.

Prescribed fire project areas are being monitored daily by fire personnel to ensure public safety and to continue meeting fuels reduction and forest restoration objectives.

As winter weather conditions continue on the Kaibab National Forest, fire managers will look for additional opportunities to treat landscapes whenever appropriate. Additional information will be provided as specific prescribed fire projects are scheduled in the future.

The public can view approved prescribed fires for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/.

To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly throughout the year. Additional information can also be obtained through the following sources:

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Williams, Ariz., Dec. 7, 2018—For Immediate Release. Persistent wet weather has presented favorable opportunities for fire crews to continue burning piles at numerous locations across the Kaibab National Forest. Fire personnel on the Williams Ranger District will be moving to an area known has Kaufman Springs today approximately 4 miles north of the community of Parks to continue with operations.

Several Units of slash piles on the south side of Government Hill, west of county road 141 are scheduled to be treated over the weeks ahead. 114 acres will be ignited today just west of Wright Hill and crews hope to continue working in this area next week if weather conditions allow.

Objectives for these pile burns include reducing fuels resulting from previous forest restoration projects and improving overall forest health and resiliency. Piles typically burn rapidly and produce far less smoke for shorter durations than larger broadcast burns over the landscape.

Minimal to light smoke impacts are anticipated, however air quality will be monitored closely and actions will be taken as necessary to minimize the effects to residential developed areas.

The public can view approved prescribed fires for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/.

Prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest begin with the forest’s designator “KNF.” To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly throughout the year. Additional information can also be obtained through the following sources:

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Williams, Ariz., Dec. 6, 2018—For Immediate Release. Fire managers will continue to burn piles on the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest today and tomorrow.

On the Williams district, 139 acres of piles off of Forest Road 186 just south of Forest Road 108 near Coleman Lake will be ignited Thursday with an additional 52 acres to be treated on Friday.
On the Tusayan district, 19 acres of piles will burned on Thursday approximately 2 miles west of the Grand Canyon Airport.

Minimal to light smoke impacts are anticipated at both these sites. Smoke will disperse quickly due to rapid consumption and short duration.

As winter weather conditions continue on the Kaibab National Forest, fire managers will continue to seek opportunities to burn piles across both the Tusayan and Williams ranger districts. Additional information will be provided as specific prescribed fire locations are scheduled.

The Kaibab National Forest is part of a fire-adapted ecosystem and is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining vibrant forest health. Objectives for these pile burns include reducing fuels resulting from previous forest restoration projects and improving overall forest health and resiliency.

The public can view approved prescribed fires for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov/. Prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest begin with the forest’s designator “KNF.” To learn more about smoke and public health, visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly throughout the year. Additional information can also be obtained through the following sources:

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

Fire managers plan to burn piles on the Tusayan and Williams ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest starting tomorrow and continuing through next week, as conditions allow. The piles are the result of forest restoration efforts, and the goal of burning them is to further reduce fuels that could feed high-intensity wildfire.

Tusayan Ranger District

Tusayan Ranger District fire managers plan to burn a total of about 290 acres of piles in four general project locations beginning tomorrow and continuing through all of next week, if snow pack is appropriate.

• Forest Road 688 pit. Fire managers plan to burn a single, large natural debris pile off of Forest Road 688 east of State Route 64. The pile will likely be ignited tomorrow but will continue smoldering for several days to weeks because of its large size. Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal and highly localized.

• Tusayan Ranger District compound. Fire managers plan to burn scattered piles surrounding the Tusayan Ranger District office of the Kaibab National Forest, which is located just east of State Route 64 and south of the boundary with Grand Canyon National Park. Fire managers will ignite the piles in small groups in order to lessen any potential smoke impacts to the office and residents living in the compound. Smoke impacts are expected to be light and highly localized.

• Flying J project. Piles will be ignited in three small units within the Flying J project area, which is located just west of Grand Canyon Airport. Light smoke impacts to the airport are possible. However, fire managers will be monitoring smoke production and adjusting the number of acres of piles to be ignited at any one time based on observed impacts.

• Russell project. Piles are scheduled to be ignited within the Russell project area, which is located just south of Forest Road 310 and north of Russell Tank. Smoke impacts are expected to be minimal and highly localized.

There are no road or trail closures expected with any of the pile burns planned for the Tusayan Ranger District.

Williams Ranger District

Williams Ranger District fire managers plan to burn about 139 acres of piles starting Monday off of Forest Road 186 just south of Forest Road 108 and west of County Highway 73. Minimal to light smoke impacts are anticipated and should be highly localized based on the small size of the piles.

No road or trail closures are expected with the pile burning planned for the Williams Ranger District.

General Information

As winter weather conditions continue on the Kaibab National Forest, fire managers will continue to seek opportunities to burn piles across both the Tusayan and Williams ranger districts. Additional information will be provided as specific prescribed fire locations are scheduled.

The Kaibab National Forest is part of a fire-adapted ecosystem and is dependent on fire to play a natural role in maintaining vibrant forest health. Objectives for these pile burns include reducing fuels resulting from previous forest restoration projects and improving overall forest health and resiliency.

The public can view approved prescribed fires for any given day on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s website at https://smoke.azdeq.gov/. Prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest begin with the forest’s designator “KNF.” To learn more about smoke and public health, visit http://bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness.

Notifications of upcoming prescribed fire projects are provided regularly throughout the year. Additional information can also be obtained through the following sources:

• Kaibab National Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF

• Fire Information Recorded Hotline: 928-635-8311

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/

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Williams, Ariz., Nov 08, 2018—For Immediate Release. Fuels reduction efforts will be continuing on both the Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts beginning Friday of this week. Both districts will be conducting broadcast burns that could extend over the next several days as environmental and weather conditions permit.

The 12,000 acre Sunflower Prescribed Fire Project located approximately 8 miles southeast of Williams has been ongoing over the past year with nearly 7000 acres successfully treated to date. Aerial ignitions will continue as crews work toward completing the remaining 5000 acres on this project.

Fire managers will also ignite a 245 acre unit approximately 3 miles south of Tusayan on the Reed Prescribed Fire Project beginning Friday and may treat an additional 354 acres just west of the town over the weekend ahead.

Opportunities to use prescribed fire to accomplish forest restoration objectives only exist during specific times of the year. Environmental conditions in the forest as well as precise weather patterns determine when these opportunities arise. The fall months usually present the most favorable time of year to achieve the most desirable effects for successful treatments.

During prescribed firing operations, campers and hunters are asked to avoid establishing campsites near the fire activity and seek alternative sites away from active burn areas.

Northeast winds are forecasted for several days as these burns begin which should alleviate impacts and transport smoke away from developed areas at both of these project locations.
Smoke may be visible from the communities of Parks, Sherwood Forest Estates, Garland Prairie, Bellemont, Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan, and Valle.

Officials understand that smoke impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration more effectively using prescribed methods as opposed to an uncontrolled wildfire situation with long term effects.

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.

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

Information about prescribed fire projects on the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources:
InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
Kaibab National Forest Website; www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311.
For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Williams, Ariz., Oct 01, 2018—For Immediate Release. With moisture imminent in the immediate weather forecast, prescribed fire operations will temporarily cease on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest.

Over the past week, 6193 acres were successfully treated on the Sunflower project located 8 miles southeast of Williams. Although the smoke was very noticeable and large in volume at times, crews had no control problems throughout the operation. All containment lines held and fuels reduction objectives were accomplished. 5710 acres remain to complete the Sunflower Rx project which fire managers are confident will be finished prior to the 2019 fire season.

Fire crews will also begin working on the Green Base Prescribed Fire project just north of Williams in an area known as Three Sisters. 7500 acres are scheduled for treatment on this project however weather and fuel moistures will determine when this project will begin. In the interim crews may burn slash piles during the rainy days as piles are easier to consume in the wet environment.

Officials understand public concern when smoke is effecting many of the surrounding communities. The strategy is to burn larger parcels which ultimately will reduce the number of days smoke will be present in the atmosphere. Burning smaller units would require more burn days which can prolong the duration of lingering smoke.

Kaibab National Forest officials would also like to thank the public for understanding the complexities of this critical work being done that is vital for long term sustainability of national forests across the state.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorizations, please visit www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html. Information about prescribed fire projects on the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/KaibabNF Facebook: www.facebook.com/KaibabNF
Kaibab National Forest Website; www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311.
For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Williams, Ariz., Sept 28, 2018—For Immediate Release. Fire managers on the south zone of the Kaibab National Forest will continue ignitions on the Sunflower Prescribed Fire Project through the weekend ahead as forest conditions remain favorable. Over the past three days, 3731 acres have been treated with an additional 2100 acre unit scheduled to be ignited on Saturday, and a 1000 acre block on Sunday.
During the remaining firing operations this week campers and hunters are asked to avoid establishing campsites near the fire activity and seek alternative sites away from the burn area.

Outflowing moisture remnants from Hurricane Rosa are expected to arrive into the local area early next week which will likely curtail prescribed fire activities for several days. Crews may move into burning slash piles in the interim as forest conditions become wetter.

Smoke will be visible and impacts may occur in the communities of Parks, Sherwood Forest Estates, Garland Prairie, Bellemont and outlying areas throughout Verde Valle. Smoke production should noticeably decrease by Sunday as operations cease on the Sunflower project.

Officials understand that smoke impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration more effectively using prescribed methods as opposed to an uncontrolled wildfire situation with long term effects.

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.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorizations, please visit www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html. Information about prescribed fire projects on the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5922/
Kaibab National Forest Website; www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311.
For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness

Williams, Ariz., Sept 21, 2018—For Immediate Release. Fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest have completed plans for the 2018 fall prescribed fire burning season and will begin working on a range of projects this month. The specific units to be ignited will be chosen based on fuel moistures and weather conditions that are within prescriptive levels that meet fuels reduction objectives.

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

Sunflower Rx Project: Southeast of Williams, approximately 12,000 acres.

Green Base Rx Project: North of Williams near Three Sisters, approximately 7500 acres.

Reed Rx Project South and northeast of Tusayan, approximately 3200 acres

Russell Rx Project Southeast of Tusayan, approximately 4000 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.

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. Furthermore, 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.

All prescribed burning on the Kaibab National Forest is subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. For additional information on the Smoke Management Division of the ADEQ and to view prescribed burns authorizations, please visit www.azdeq.gov/environ/air/smoke/index.html. Information about prescribed fire projects on the Kaibab National Forest can be obtained through the following sources: InciWeb inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Kaibab National Forest Website; www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab
Kaibab National Forest Fire Information Phone Line (928) 635-8311.
For information about air quality and health awareness visit bit.ly/SmokeHealthAwareness