The Granite Lake Fire was detected on September 21 in the Hunter Fryingpan Wilderness, approximately 13 miles southeast of Meredith, Colorado. It has been relatively inactive until recent dry, windy weather increased fire activity. Smoke from the fire may be visible from surrounding communities.

The fire resulted from a natural ignition on a steep slope at approximately 11,000 feet in elevation. Wind has pushed the fire across patches of high alpine vegetation and avalanche paths. An infrared flight Saturday evening estimated the fire at 113 acres.

The Granite Lake Fire is in the South Fork drainage of the Fryingpan River above South Fork Pass trail (1940), 2 miles past the end of Forest Road 504. It is near the center of the Hunter Fryingpan Wilderness and is not presently threatening any structures of infrastructure.

Fire managers are using aviation resources to monitor and manage the fire.

Carson City, NV., Sept 27, 2019 – The Evans Creek Fire, located on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Carson Ranger District in the Evans Canyon area is 25 acres and now 75% contained. The fire started early Thursday morning, approximately two miles from the Ballardini Ranch Trailhead southwest of Reno, Nevada. The fire is human caused and currently under investigation by law enforcement.

Firefighters engaged in initial attack early yesterday morning and continued to work with air resources to build containment lines throughout the day. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest worked closely with cooperators and would like to thank Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, Storey County Fire Protection District, Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Reno Police Department and the Washoe County Sherriff’s Office for their assistance in suppressing the fire.

Resources remained on scene overnight and saw no fire growth and very minimal activity. Two engines and two handcrews continue work today and hope to have the fire fully contained by this afternoon. Fire managers are aware of a strong low-pressure system and cold front approaching the region, so they are expecting an increase in winds this afternoon, but don’t anticipate any containment issues. This is the final update for the Evans Creek Fire.

Carson City, NV., Sept 26, 2019 – The 25-acre Evans Creek Fire started today around 2 a.m. and is located southwest of Reno, Nevada, on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Carson Ranger District in Evans Canyon area approximately two miles from the Ballardini Ranch Trailhead. The fire was human-caused and under investigation by law enforcement.

The Evans Creek Fire is burning in grass, brush, and timber and is 25 percent contained. Since there is no road access, fire crews have hiked into the fire and are working closely with aviation resources. Resources on the scene include two handcrews, seven engines, one water tender, one helicopter, and various overhead. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the lead on this incident.

“We really want to thank all the cooperators who are assisting with suppression efforts,” said Paul Washam, Incident Commander. “They include Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, Story County Fire Protection District, Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Washoe County Sherriff’s Office, and Reno Police Department.”
Fire officials ask the public to refrain from using the Ballardini Ranch Trailhead, which is being used as the fire staging area for personnel and equipment.

Willard Pit burn today on the Flagstaff Ranger District. Expect smoke to be seen from Interstate 17; miles northwest of Munds Park, I-17 & Willard exit, Coconino County Willard Transfer Station
GPS: 34.972515, -111.690913  
Expect to see smoke for several weeks.

WinWindmill Piles

• When: Monday (Dec. 16 to 20).

• Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Approximately 6 miles northeast of Clints Well at the FR 211 and FR 211E junction. GPS: 34.6327, -111.3057

• Size: up to 50 acres each day of burning.

• Duration: All week if within prescribed conditions.

• Method/type of burn: These are slash piles to burn using drip torches for ignition.

• Smoke Impacts: Smoke will be visible from FR 211 and Lake Mary Road moving to the northeast, could be some impacts to Lake Mary Road and Clear Creek Pines Units 1&2 later in week.

   

  Allen Lake Piles

• When: Monday (Dec. 16).

• Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District.  Eight miles south of Mormon Lake, along the west side of Lake Mary Road. GPS: 34.826, -111.437

• Size: 5 acres of hand piles.

• Duration: This will be a one-day operation.

• Method/type of burn: These are slash piles to burn using drip torches for ignition.

• Smoke Impacts: Smoke will be visible from Lake Mary Road and may impact travel, along with putting smoke on the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

• Closures/restrictions: None.

   

  Buck Mountain Piles

• When: Tuesday (Dec. 17).

  Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Five miles south of Happy Jack, around Buck Mountain Lookout.  GPS: 34.666, -111.415

• Size: 25 acres of hand piles.

• Duration: This will be a one-day operation.

• Method/type of burn: These are slash piles to burn using drip torches for ignition.

• Smoke Impacts: Smoke will be visible from Lake Mary Road, no impacts are expected to populated areas or local highways.

• Closures/restrictions: None.

   

  Bly Pit

• When: Wednesday (Dec. 18)

• Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District, state Route 87’s mile post 307, 7 miles north of Mogollon Rim Ranger Station. GPS: 34.667250, -111.110082

• Size: 2 acres of community green waste.

• Duration: 1 day of burning, followed by a few weeks of monitoring.

• Method/Type of burn: Hand ignition of machine piled slash.

• Smoke Impacts:  Generally moving to the NE, impacts to SR 87 and Mogollon Ranches subdivision.

• Closures/restrictions: None. 

Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns next week in several areas that have been previously postponed due to earlier conditions that would have heavily impacted communities with smoke.

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire treatment across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order and may occur on days other than noted, depending on favorable weather conditions. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin around 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Mint 5

• When: Monday (Nov. 18), depending on weather conditions and smoke impacts.

• Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. Approximately 31 miles south of Flagstaff, immediately south of Mormon Lake Village. GPS: 34.848744, -111.452362

• Size: 322 Acres
  Duration: This will be a one-day operation.

• Method/Type of burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health and protect private property.

• Smoke Impacts: Smoke is forecast is to move toward the west and southwest. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, potentially effecting Bear Park, Mormon Lake Village and other communities near the Lake Mary Road corridor.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. 

   

  Victorine

• When: Monday, and possibly Tuesday (Nov. 18, 19).

• Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Approximately 6.5 miles southeast of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District office, west of Leonard Canyon and east of Forest Road 137. GPS: 34.540829, -111.104980

• Size: 1,000 acres.

• Duration: This will be a one- or two-day burn operation.

• Type of Burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. This burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, protect private property, benefit wildlife habitat and improve forest health.

• Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are forecast from the northeast. Smoke should lift and disperse toward the southwest of the project area over the Verde Valley during the day. Overnight smoke could settle in the local burn area, Blue Ridge communities, and will probably drain down East Clear Creek. Smoke may end up in the eastern side of the Verde Valley until daytime temperatures rise enough to lift the smoke into the transport winds.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Nov. 8, 2019 — Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns next week in areas that will lessen smoke impacts to surrounding communities.

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order and may occur on days other than noted, depending on favorable weather conditions. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Victorine

• When: Tuesday-Thursday (Nov. 12-14).

• Where: Approximately 6.5 miles southeast of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District office, west of Leonard Canyon. GPS: 34.540829, -111.104980

• Size: 2,900 acres total. Daily acreage varies upon the conditions. Day 1 is planned for 600 acres.

• Duration: This is a four-day burn operation.

• Type of Burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. This burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, protect private property, benefit wildlife habitat and improve forest health.

• Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are forecast from the southwest. Smoke should lift and disperse toward the northeast of the project area during the day. Overnight smoke could settle in the local burn area, Blue Ridge communities, and will probably drain down East Clear Creek. Smoke may end up in the eastern side of the Verde Valley until daytime temperatures rise enough to lift the smoke into the transport winds.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

• Additional Information: Each day the burn block will be ignited independently after the project's burn prescription and smoke impacts are evaluated.

   

  Maxwell Springs 1 & 2

• When: Wednesday (Nov. 13).

• Where: Five miles northwest of Flagstaff.

  GPS: 35.250812, -111.824213 & 35.263236, -111.806195

• Size: 833 acres total in two burn blocks.

• Duration: One-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. These burns are located south of Wing Mountain and north of Bellemont.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the northeast. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, Interstate 40 and the west side of Flagstaff. This will likely impact Fort Valley, Snowbowl Ski Resort area and possibly U.S. Highway 180.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Nov. 1, 2019 — Coconino National Forest firefighters plan to conduct prescribed burns next week in areas that will lessen smoke impacts to surrounding communities.

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order and may occur on days other than noted, depending on favorable weather conditions. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Fort Valley 1 & 4

• When: Monday (Nov. 4).

• Where: Approximately 8 miles northwest of Flagstaff, near the Fort Valley Trailhead. GPS: 35.270153, -111.677685

• Size: 302 acres total, in two burn blocks.

• Duration: 1-day operation.

• Method/Type of burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn is an operation in partnership with the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Center, Northern Arizona University and the Ecological Research Institute to study the effects of consistent return intervals of low-intensity fire. 

• Smoke Impacts: With a westerly wind forecast, smoke should move northeast towards Schultz Pass. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, potentially impacting Doney Park, Baderville, Fort Valley, the U.S. Highway 180 corridor and Rio de Flag river drainage.

• Closures/Restrictions: The Arizona National Scenic Trail will be rerouted during the burn operations for visitor’s safety.

   

  Victorine

• When: Monday-Thursday (Nov. 4-7).

• Where: Approximately 6.5 miles southeast of the Mogollon Rim Ranger District office, west of Leonard Canyon. GPS: 34.540829, -111.104980

• Size: 2,900 acres total. Daily acreage varies upon the conditions. Day 1 is planned for 600 acres.

• Duration: This is a four-day burn operation.

• Type of Burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. This burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, protect private property, benefit wildlife habitat and improve forest health.

• Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are forecast from the southwest. Smoke should lift and disperse toward the northeast of the project area during the day. Overnight smoke could settle in the local burn area, Blue Ridge communities, and will probably drain down East Clear Creek. Smoke may end up in the eastern side of the Verde Valley until daytime temperatures rise enough to lift the smoke into the transport winds.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

• Additional Information: Each day the burn block will be ignited independently after the project's burn prescription and smoke impacts are evaluated.

   

  Slate 4

• When: Possibly Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 5-7), dependent on weather conditions and possible smoke impacts. An alternative to this burn is the Mint 4 & 5 project listed below.

• Where: Approximately 3 miles northeast of Kendrick Park. GPS: 35.437863, -111.705663

• Size: 2,528 acres total. Daily burn blocks will be smaller.

• Duration: This will be a 2- or 3-day operation.

• Method/Type of burn: This is an initial-entry broadcast burn using drip torches and helicopter aerial ignitions. The use of a helicopter is to ensure the burn is conducted in a quicker timeframe, as well as access areas typically unreachable for firefighters. The burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health and protect private property.

• Smoke Impacts: Due to this being an initial-entry broadcast burn, smoke will be thicker than normal, as forest fuels will be dense. Smoke is forecast to move toward the northeast, away from Kendrick Park and the U.S. Hwy 180 corridor. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn impacting Kendrick Park, White Horse Park and the U.S. Hwy 180 and 89 north corridors.

• Closures/Restrictions: The Arizona National Scenic Trail will be rerouted during the burn operations for visitor’s safety.

   

  Mint 4 & 5 (Alternate to Slate 4)

• When: Possibly Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (Nov. 5-7) dependent on weather conditions and smoke impacts. This operation is an alternative to the Slate 4 burn operation.

• Where: Approximately 31 miles south of Flagstaff, immediately south of Mormon Lake Village. GPS: 34.848744, -111.452362

• Size: 754 acres total, burning 322 acres the first day.

• Duration: If selected as the alternate, this will be a 2- or 3-day operation.

• Method/Type of burn: This is a broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn operation will reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health and protect private property.

• Smoke Impacts: Smoke forecast is to move toward the west and southwest away from Bear Park community and the Lake Mary Road corridor. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, potentially effecting Bear Park, Mormon Lake Village and other communities near the Lake Mary Road corridor.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. 

   

  Notifications of upcoming prescribed burns are provided regularly by news releases throughout the season. Timely updates about ignitions and whether or not a project is cancelled can be found on the Forest's social media sites:

• Coconino NF’s Twitter account

• Coconino NF’s Facebook page

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2019 — As the weather continually changes this time of year, Coconino National Forest firefighters make plans to conduct prescribed burns and also alternate plans to focus on burns at locations where weather changes may help mitigate smoke impacts.

These burns are among the prescribed burn projects planned for the Flagstaff Ranger District and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District this fall and are part of a strategy to allow fire across the landscape in order to restore forests to healthier conditions, protect watersheds and improve the safety of the communities around them.

Frequent, low-intensity fire removes accumulated smaller fuels and recycles nutrients in the soils to promote healthy vegetation and wildlife habitat. A healthier forest is a safer forest for firefighters and residents when wildfires inevitably occur.

The prescribed burn projects listed below are in chronological order and may occur on days other than noted, depending on favorable weather conditions. Firing ignitions for each of these projects begin at approximately 10 a.m. on the mornings indicated.

Sawmill

• When: Likely Monday (Oct, 28).

• Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Six miles south of Mormon Lake Village. North of Stoneman Lake Road on the immediate east side of Lake Mary Road. GPS: 34.8177200, -111.4269700

• Size: 800 acres.

• Duration: This is a one-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn using drip torches. The burn is being conducted to reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, and to protect private property.

• Smoke Impacts: Daytime winds are predicted to be out of the southwest, so smoke will disperse to the northeast of the project area. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas near Hutch Mountain.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. If smoke is on Lake Mary Road, traffic control may be used.

   

  Slate 4

• When: Possibly Tuesday (Oct. 29).

• Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. 16 miles north of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.446216, -111.703208.

• Size: 2,528 acres.

• Duration: One-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter. This burn is located in a strategic area to protect Kendrick Park, White Horse Park and Snowbowl Estates by removing dense forest fuels that could endanger the communities if a severe wildfire started in the area.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the north and then switch southerly later in the day. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn and White Horse Canyon. This will likely impact U.S. Highways 180, 89, Kendrick Park, White Horse Park and Snowbowl Estates. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker than normal.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected.

   

  Victorine

• When: Planned for Tuesday and Wednesday (Oct. 29 & 30).

• Where: Mogollon Rim Ranger District. Five miles east of C.C. Cragin Reservoir along Leonard canyon GPS: 34.540840, -111.104972

• Size: 600+ acres per day (3,000 acres total).

• Duration: Four to five days (unlikely to be in the same week).

• Method/Type of Burn: Maintenance burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter to protect private lands and wildlife habitat.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the south. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn. Smoke could impact the local community and Payson.

   

  Upper Lake Mary 3

• When: Wednesday (Oct. 30). 

• Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. Approximately 15 miles southeast of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.014971, -111.463811 

• Size: 919 acres.

• Duration: This is a one-day operation. 

• Method/Type of Burn: This is a initial-entry burn conducted by drip torch and helicopter. This burn’s specific objectives are to protect Pine Grove Campground and Lake Mary Road corridor from any southwesterly fire threats and to help lessen any potential wildland fires that may start near Pinegrove Campground. Since this is an initial-entry burn, smoke will be thicker and more noticeable than a maintenance burn due to the amount of forest fuels in the burn area. 

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the southwest, which may impact Lake Mary Road in the area, Interstate 17, Mormon Lake Village, and Munds Park.  

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. 

   

  89A - Block 25

• When: Wednesday (Oct. 30).

• Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. Four miles southwest of Flagstaff adjacent to Fort Tuthill county park. GPS: 35.131526, -111.697872

• Size: 421 acres.

• Duration: One day operation.

• Method/Type of burn: This is an initial-entry broadcast burn using drip torches and conducted jointly with Flagstaff Fire Department. The burn is being conducted to reduce the chance of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, protect private property and helping the health of the forest.

• Smoke Impacts: Ventilation is predicted to move smoke toward the southwest away from I-17. Cooling temperatures in the evenings will cause smoke to settle in the low-lying areas surrounding the burn, Pumphouse Wash and Kelly Canyon.

• Closures/Restrictions: None expected. 

   

  Experimental Forest

• When: Friday (Nov 1).

• Where: Flagstaff Ranger District. Six miles northwest of Flagstaff. GPS: 35.272710, -111.691766.

• Size: 302 acres.

• Duration: This is a one-day operation.

• Method/Type of Burn: Broadcast maintenance burn conducted by drip torch. This burn is being conducted for fire research purposes and in partnership with NAU, RMRS, and Ecological Restoration Institute in order to measure things such as pine regeneration, tree mortality, and other factors associated with wildfire in this fire-dependent ecosystem. Note: the heavy fuels will be seen burning from U.S. Highway 180 for a week or longer. They look similar to a small campfires in the middle of the forest.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2019 — Fire managers have canceled all prescribed burns across the Coconino National Forest today after considering the high winds forecast by the U.S. National Weather Service.

Firefighters will focus on ensuring any prescribed burns on the Coconino NF from earlier in the week remain within their operational boundaries today and will look at plans for resuming important prescribed burns next week.

Information about any prescribed burns planned for next week will be distributed tomorrow through a news release.