Prescribed burns this week for Payson area

Prescribed fire operations planned for

Payson area next Tuesday

Operations planned for piles along Colcord Rd., Pine, Pine-Perley and Blattner pits

Payson, Ariz. (November 8, 2012) – Payson Ranger District fire specialists plan to eliminate accumulated vegetative material in the Pine, Pine-Perley, and the Blattner pits on Tuesday, November 13, 2012. Visitors near these areas may see and smell moderate amounts of smoke for the duration of the day.

About 20 acres of vegetative debris piles will also be burned along Colcord Road beginning Wednesday, November 14. Residents and visitors to the Colcord Estates area can expect to see and smell moderate amounts of smoke during the day during prescribed fire treatment. Diurnal air flow will move residual smoke down Colcord Canyon in the evening hours.

            When fire operations begin, signs will be posted along roads that are likely to be affected by smoke. Motorists are urged to use caution while driving through these areas and to slow down for the safety of firefighters and the public.

            Prescribed fire treatments are always dependent on optimal weather conditions before ignitions begin, such as fuel moisture content, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, temperature, and other variables.

            For information about prescribed fire and mechanical fuels reduction operations, please call the Payson Ranger District at 928-474-7900.  Residents can also stay updated on forest prescribed fires at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.  To report a wildland fire, the fire emergency number is 480-457-1555, or 866-746-6516.