Payson Ranger District to burn debris Thursday and Friday

150 Acres of debris piles to be eliminated
in Pine, Christopher Creek, and Hunter Creek

        Payson, Ariz. (March 1, 2011) – Payson Ranger District fire specialists plan to eliminate 50 acres of vegetative debris piles in and around the community of Pine and another 100 acres of vegetative debris piles in the Christopher Creek and Hunter Creek areas using prescribed fire on Thursday, March 3 and Friday, March 4.
       
        Fire personnel will mitigate the impact of smoke by ending ignitions each day by 3 p.m.
Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see and smell light to moderate amounts of smoke each day of the prescribed fire operation as smoke moves up and over the Mogollon Rim.  Diurnal air flow in the evening hours will move residual smoke down Pine Creek, Hunter Creek and Christopher Creek.

        “Weather conditions this past week prevented us from conducting prescribed fire treatments planned for the Christopher Creek and Hunter Creek areas,” said Gary Roberts, fire prevention officer.  “Hopefully, weather conditions will cooperate with us by late next week so we can implement these essential prescribed fire treatments we have planned.”

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

        During fire operations, signs will be posted along the 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.

        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.