Media Advisory

USDA Forest Service

Tonto National Forest

Tonto National Forest fire officials plan prescribed fires near Whispering Pines and Pine this week

Payson, AZ (November 2, 2009) –More prescribed fire operations are planned for this week near Whispering Pines and Pine announced Tonto National Forest fire specialists today.

Prescribed fire is always dependent on optimum weather conditions such as temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture content, and wind speed and direction, prior to ignition.

A shaded fuel break was started last week in the Gordon Canyon Estates area. The extensive hazardous fuels reduction work will encompass 345 strategic acres and is expected to be completed by the end of December. Residents and visitors to the area can expect to hear chainsaws during the day until the project is completed.

Two prescribed fires are planned for this week, Mon. – Fri (Nov. 2-6):

• A maintenance prescribed fire of 1,000 acres west of Whispering Pines off Control Road 64 in the Verde Glen and Washington Park areas. Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see light to moderate amounts of smoke until sundown during each day of the operation. Diurnal air flow in the evening hours will move residual smoke down the East Verde River.

• A first-entry broadcast fire of 1,000 acres west of Pine in the Hardscrabble Mesa area. The objective of the prescribed fire is to reduce hazardous fuels. Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see moderate to heavy amounts of smoke until sundown during each day of the operation. Diurnal air flow in the evening hours will move residual smoke down Hardscrabble Creek. Residual smoke may be seen in the area thru Sun., Nov. 8.

“On the Payson Ranger District, the wise use of fire is an important tool used to restore a healthy balance to our forest ecosystems while reducing catastrophic wildfire danger,” stated Gary Roberts, Payson Ranger District, Fire Prevention Officer.

Before human settlement increased in the late 1800s, lightning frequently started fires which rejuvenated plant growth, recycled nutrients, cleared undergrowth, and increased diversity of wildlife habitat. Fire suppression, grazing, and other land management practices altered this natural cycle and created unhealthy forest ecosystems with dangerous accumulations of dense trees and underbrush throughout the Southwest and Mogollon Rim country.

For information about the prescribed fire, please call the Payson Ranger District at 928-474-7900. Residents can also stay updated on forest prescribed burns at www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto. To report a wildland fire, the fire emergency number is 480-457-1555, or 866-746-6516.

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