Fire managers on the Coconino National Forest began prescribed pile burns in Oak Creek Canyon on Tuesday Dec. 6. An updated burn notice was reissued the morning of Thursday, Dec. 8.
Some 15 acres located north of Sedona in Oak Creek Canyon, southeast of Cave Springs campground and west of Bootlegger Day Use Area are being be burned. During the burn days, the majority of smoke will rise and disperse to the west.
Residual smoke will settle into private inholdings near Cave Springs campground. Expect smoke to be noticeable on State Route 89A.
Coconino National Forest fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to the communities while continuing to address the critical need to reduce the risk of severe wildfires around those communities, according to a press release. Tactics to keep smoke impacts as minimal as possible include cancelling burns when conditions aren’t favorable, finding alternative uses for the debris in slash piles, timing ignitions to allow the majority of smoke time to disperse prior to settling overnight, and burning larger sections at a time when conditions are favorable to reduce the overall number of days smoke is in the area.
In addition, the Coconino National Forest coordinates prescribed fire plans with the partners of the Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council, which includes local fire departments and districts, as well as neighboring forests, to reduce the impact of smoke on the communities.
The public can obtain prescribed fire information via the following:
- Prescribed Fire Hotline: (928) 226-4607
- Coconino National Forest Website. Click on the Prescribed Fire Link to the right of the page
- Sign-up to receive regular email notifications. Choose “Southwestern Region”
- Follow the Coconino National Forest on Twitter.
Local Ranger Stations:
- Peaks Ranger District in Flagstaff, (928) 526-0866;
- Red Rock Ranger District in Sedona, 203-2900;
- Mogollon Rim Ranger District in Blue Ridge, (928) 477-2255
