FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 11, 2023 – The Coconino National Forest plans to implement several planned prescribed fire projects beginning Sunday and running throughout next week as wind and weather conditions become favorable for these landscape restoration projects.

Fire – both prescribed fire and wildfire – is an important part of the Coconino NF’s landscape. A combination of carefully planned prescribed fire and low-intensity lightning-sparked wildfire helps reduce hazardous fuels, such as downed trees and pine needle accumulation, across the forest floor.

Removing hazardous fuels during times of opportune weather – when winds are moderate, temperatures are lower and humidity is higher – helps prevent high-intensity and catastrophic wildfire during summer months.

The Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments across the landscape to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

During prescribed fire, smoke will be visible from several areas across the forest.

Northern Arizona residents and forest visitors are reminded to look for information regarding planned prescribed fire projects if smoke is visible.

Please refrain from contacting dispatch or 911 to report prescribed fire smoke so lines can remain open for emergencies.

Red Rock Ranger District (RRRD)

Upper Beaver Creek Prescribed Fire project:

• When: Beginning Oct. 15 and running intermittently through Oct. 25
• Where: Located near Stoneman Lake
• Why: This fire will reduce hazardous fuels around the Stoneman Lake community and will protect the Apache Maid Cabin.
• Size: Roughly 1,000 acres
• Method/ type of burn: A combination of initial entry and broadcast maintenance. Maintenance burns usually mean wildfire has recently been through the area, which tends to mean less smoke since forest fuels will not be as thick or built up over time. Initial entry burns mean wildfire has not been through the area in a very long time and thus results in thicker smoke due to a large amount of forest fuels being present that must be burned.
• Duration: This fire is a multi-day project spread out over 10 days. Ignition could occur on any day if weather conditions allow.
• Smoke impacts: Light to moderate smoke impacts are expected. Smoke will impact the Stoneman Lake communities, the Interstate 17 corridor at Forest Road 215 (Stoneman Lake Road and Rattlesnake Canyon), the Beaver Creek area and areas south of Mormon Lake Village.
• Closures/ restrictions: There are no anticipated road or trail closures.

Flagstaff Ranger District (FRD)

Horseshoe Project (Wild Bill units)

• When: Oct. 16 through Oct. 19
• Where: 8.5 miles north of Bellemont
• Why: To reduce fuel loading in the project area. By returning fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem in regular intervals, the FRD will build a healthier and more resilient landscape.
• Size: 6,080 acres
• Method/ type of burn: Broadcast and maintenance
• Duration: Four days
• Smoke impacts: Daytime smoke impacts will be felt along Highway 180 around the Arizona Nordic Village and Kendrick Park. Nighttime impacts will be felt in the Bellemont area and along Interstate 40.
• Closures/ restrictions: A temporary closure to Lava River Cave will be implemented during a portion of the burn.

Prescribed fire information can always be accessed in several ways:

• Via InciWeb at inciweb.wildfire.gov. All projects will be detailed under the "Coconino National Forest prescribed fire (Fall 2023)" page.
• On Twitter at @CoconinoNF
• On Facebook - search "U.S. Forest Service - Coconino National Forest"
• Via news releases. Subscribe to Coconino National Forest news releases by visiting coconinonationalforest.us, and then clicking the "Get News Via Email" link under the "Stay Connected" header

Prescribed fire is always dependent upon weather and wind conditions, as well as approval from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ). The public can view approved prescribed fire projects on ADEQ’s website at smoke.azdeq.gov. Coconino NF prescribed fire projects begin with the designator “COF.”

We recognize that smoke impacts can affect residents and visitors in addition to our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with partners and communities to keep people informed about projects and potential smoke. Affected communities can learn more at airnow.gov.

Prior to implementing prescribed fire plans, the Coconino NF follows steps outlined in the agency-wide National Prescribed Fire Review. These steps include items such as validating and updating prescribed fire plans with the most recent science and modeling, incorporating new drought monitoring data, ensuring the patrol plan and long-term patrol strategy is documented and communicating with and involving landowners, cooperators, elected officials and partners as we implement prescribed fires.

Prescribed fire is an important part of maintaining forest health. For more information on why prescribed fire is conducted and how it benefits the landscape and help protect communities, please visit our Prescribed Fire and Forest Health webpage.