Feed aggregator
Cave Creek Ranger District will conduct pile burning to reduce wildfire risk to multiple communities and critical infrastructure
Tonto National Forest firefighters will begin a one-day, prescribed pile burn on the Cave Creek Ranger District, April 25.
Firefighters will burn piles containing dead brush and limbs to reduce hazardous fuels on national forest land that is immediately adjacent to the communities of Rio Verde, Box-Bar Ranch, Ft. McDowell Indian Community, agriculture property and utility infrastructure. The unit is a 100-foot fuel break that totals 17 acres. In addition, the hazardous fuels reduction operation conducted along the community of Rio Verde will help residents maintain their Firewise status.
Reducing these hazardous fuels on national forest land bordering private/state lands can help limit the threat of wildfires to communities and infrastructure. All prescribed fires on the Tonto National Forest are approved through the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (AZDEQ) before ignitions begin. AZDEQ monitors air quality and determines whether it will be a good day for smoke dispersion. Although smoke from prescribed fire can still be noticeable, it is usually for a shorter time and considerably less smoke than wildfires produce. It is recommended that individuals with breathing issues should consider staying indoors and avoid smoke if present. For more information visit AZDEQ air quality webpage.
The completion of these projects reflects our partnerships with Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM), Rio Verde Fire Department and Scottsdale Fire Department in our collaborative efforts to reduce hazardous fuels around these communities.
Prescribed fire operations are part of the USDA Forest Service’s overarching wildfire crisis strategy to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests. Visit the Confronting the Wildfire Crisis webpage for information about the USDA Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to reduce the risk of wildfires to communities, critical infrastructure and natural resources from the nation’s ongoing wildfire crisis.
For additional information, contact the Cave Creek Ranger Station located 40202 North Cave Creek Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona. Or phone the station at (480) 595-3300 from Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or X (formally Twitter) @TontoForest.
unnamed (47).jpgSpring prescribed fires planned on Kaibab National Forest
Fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest are planning to conduct prescribed fires throughout the spring season as conditions allow. Crews plan to begin ignitions the in the coming weeks with the goal of treating up to 8,597 total acres this spring.
Williams Ranger District
Three Sisters Rx (956 acres): located on the north shore of Kaibab Lake, ~1.5 miles northeast of the City of Williams.
Marteen East Rx (three units of 5,613 total acres): located west of Pumpkin Center Road, ~12 miles north of the community of Parks – ignitions may occur on this unit as a back-up should conditions not be appropriate to safely conduct the Three Sisters Rx.
Tusayan Ranger District
Blue Stem Rx (2,724 acres): located east of Forest Road 311, ~16 miles east-southeast of the Town of Tusayan –Russell Tank will be inaccessible and approximately 4.5 miles of the Arizona Trail will be rerouted around the perimeter of the burn unit on Forest Roads 320 (north side), 311 (west side), and 310 (south side) for public safety.
North Kaibab Ranger District
Billy Sink Phase 2 Rx (260 acres): located along .25 miles south of Jacob Lake along and east of State Route 67.
Grand Canyon National Park also plans on conducting the 50-acre Bright Angel Rx on the North Rim near the developed area.
Exact ignition dates are unknown as burning is dependent upon daily agency administrator approval and conditions within the ranges outlined in each prescribed fire plan. However, we are committed to providing the public with ongoing updates and as much advance notice as possible. Sign up to receive Kaibab NF news releases in your email.
Our land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health, including reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Prescribed fires help reduce hazardous fuels that have accumulated due to drought, climate change, insects and disease, and decades of fire suppression. Fire also recycles nutrients back to the soil, promotes the growth of trees, wildflowers, and other plants, and improves habitat for threatened and endangered species. These efforts align with the Forest Service’s 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy which aims to increase prescribed fire and other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.
We recognize that smoke can impact residents, visitors, and our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with our partners and communities to minimize smoke impacts as much as possible. All prescribed fires on the Kaibab National Forest are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. The department’s Air Quality Division: Smoke Management webpage provides details about its air quality program.
Information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the local ranger stations.
A map of the Three Sisters prescribed fire April 19 2024.jpg A map of the Marteen prerscribed fire April 19 2024.jpgA map of the Blue Stem prescribed fire April 19 2024.jpg
A map of the Billy Sink prescribed fire April 19 2024.jpg
Arizona Forestry conducting two prescribed fire projects in Coconino County
Next week, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) plans to implement two prescribed fire projects located east and northeast of Flagstaff. On Monday, April 22, DFFM begins the Walnut RX Fire then on Tuesday, April 23, the agency begins the Turkey Hills RX Fire. Project managers expect both broadcast burns to take one day to complete, dependent on favorable and safe weather conditions.
Walnut RX Fire:
The 200-acre Walnut RX project is located on State Trust lands approximately eight miles east of Flagstaff and one mile south of Interstate 40. Walnut is a continuation of a project DFFM started in October. At that time, crews were able to complete 250 acres of the total 450-acre project, but inclement weather and other factors required burn managers to stop the second day of firing until more advantageous weather conditions prevailed. Predicted winds out of the southwest may push smoke off the Walnut RX Fire to the northeast with potential impacts to Interstate 40 and nearby communities. Overnight, smoke may settle into the Walnut Canyon National Monument and drainages near the project work.
Turkey Hills RX Fire:
The 150-acre Turkey Hills RX Fire is also located on State Trust lands north of Interstate 40, 11 miles northeast of Flagstaff, and approximately four miles south of Doney Park. Winds may push smoke off the project to the northeast with minimal impacts to Interstate 40 and nearby communities.
Both projects consist of Ponderosa Pine and fine fuel components. The main goal for these two projects includes, reducing hazardous vegetation around infrastructure and private lands. Broadcast burning reduces the threat of wildfires, improves the health of Arizona’s forests and safeguards critical infrastructure like the state’s watersheds. Prescribed fire managers strategically plan projects in higher risk areas where forest fuels continue to accumulate and therefore pose a greater danger of producing extreme fire behavior.
All prescribed fire operations must have prior approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Unfavorable weather can also delay or cancel burns out of public and firefighter safety. Once ignitions begin, notifications will be made on DFFM’s Facebook and X pages and through the agency’s mobile phone application. That app can be downloaded at https://www.apexmobile.net/app/azdffm/.
Walnut & Turkey Hills.pngPile Burning planned April 22 - May 31 in the Prescott Basin
Fire Managers on the Bradshaw Ranger District plan to conduct prescribed fire operations in the Prescott Basin (Ponderosa Park, Copper Basin, Walker Road, and Deering Park), burning debris piles from hazardous fuels reduction and thinning projects. Ignitions are planned to start on Monday, April 22, and continue through Friday, May 31, if conditions remain favorable.
Expect smoke impacts to be light and visible from multiple locations including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and surrounding areas. As nighttime temperatures cool, smoke may linger in drainages and valleys. In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of prescribed burns as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.
Prescott National Forest’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health and includes reducing forest fuels and using prescribed fire on the landscape. Reducing hazardous fuels will help reduce the threat of high- severity, high-intensity wildfire to the public, adjacent private property, and communities.
The project also furthers the goals of the Forest Service’s national Wildfire Crisis Strategy to restore forests so they are less vulnerable to extreme wildfires that can risk lives and property, and impact watersheds and wildlife habitat.
All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment; weather; fuels; conditions that minimize smoke impacts as much as possible; and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).
Messages will be posted on social media when prescribed fires are ignited on the Prescott National Forest:
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PrescottNF/
- X/Twitter https://twitter.com/PrescottNF
For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and X/Twitter.
041624_PonderosaParkPileRX_Topo_port_MAP.jpgLakeside Ranger District plans prescribed fire and public meeting
The Lakeside Ranger District plans to conduct prescribed fire operations on the Lakeside Ranger District starting as early as April 22 and may continue through May 15, 2024 as weather and vegetation conditions allow for successful operations. Fire managers will be monitoring weather conditions leading up to, during, and after implementation to ensure conditions are favorable.
The Rodeo-Chediski Prescribed Fire project includes the Bear unit at 1,321 acres, and the Yellow Jacket unit at 1,186 acres. The Bear and Yellow Jacket Units are 3 miles to the south of Pinedale and to the east of Pinedale Estates along Forest Road (FR) 131, FR 300, FR 263, and FR 143.
A public meeting will be held at the Pinedale Work Center on Friday, April 19, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Forest Service Fire Managers and other fire officials will be in attendance to provide a briefing about the prescribed fire project, and will answer questions for those that may be impacted by smoke or are just interested in getting additional information.
Smoke may be visible from the City of Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, communities of Pinedale, Clay Springs, and Snowflake. Smoke could also travel across Highways 260, 77 and 60. Smoke could last for several days after initial ignitions take place but should be significantly less each day afterwards. Air quality information can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is a partner on this prescribed fire project which aims to improve wildlife habitat within hunting unit 3C. The burn treatment will improve range habitat for elk, mule deer, turkey, pronghorn, and bear. Prescribed fires support land management objectives by improving plant and wildlife habitat, reducing the threat of invasive species on the landscape, and help protect communities from extreme wildfires. This prescribed fire is within the Four Forest Restoration Initiative area (4FRI) and is part of the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy to reduce wildfire risk to nearby communities and natural resources.
Visit the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
Capture.PNGEast Eagle prescribed fire project resumes on the Clifton Ranger District
Firefighters plan to conduct prescribed fire operations on the Clifton Ranger District beginning April 17 through May 15, 2024 weather permitting. The East Eagle project area is 13,416 acres and is 30 miles north of Morenci. The East Eagle prescribed fire is within the San Carlos Tribal Forest Protection Project which is one of the National Priority Landscapes. These landscape treatments are a cooperative effort with the San Carlos Apache Tribe and includes; the National Forest Foundation, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Mule Deer Foundation, and the Salt River Project. Approximately 2,000 acres were accomplished in November, 2023.
The boundaries of the project are along Trail #18 (Salt House Creek) to the east, Forest Road 54 to the north, Forest Road 8369 to the west, and East Eagle Creek to the south. Air quality monitors have been placed in Alpine, AZ and Luna, NM. More information on air quality is available at https://www.airnow.gov/.
Smoke will be visible from portions of State Highway 191 and the community along Eagle Creek. Fire managers will make every effort to keep people, including private landowners near the project, informed of the project before, during and after the prescribed fire.
Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health.
Visit the ASNFs website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
EastEagleRX_PIOmap_20231109 (3).jpg
Pile burn operation at Lost Dutchman State Park next week
Starting Tuesday, April 16, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management in conjunction with Arizona State Parks and Trails and Superstition Fire and Medical District conduct a one-day pile burn project at Lost Dutchman State Park, northeast of Apache Junction in Pinal County.
DFFM project managers intend to start ignitions around 9:00 am taking into consideration appropriate and safe weather conditions. Smoke may be visible to nearby residences and to drivers along State Route 88. Smoke is expected to move to the southeast during the morning and northwest by the afternoon with very little impact to residential areas or roads. Once crews finish ignitions, resources will remain on the project through the weekend to monitor the piles. The project will not impact Lost Dutchman State Park visitors.
For the last few years, DFFM has collaborated with Arizona State Parks and Trails to help with their wildfire risk reduction projects at various parks throughout the state. Arizona State Parks and Trails conducts the routine, on-going vegetative maintenance and DFFM provides the qualified resources to burn off the piles. The project area consists of lands within the designated park boundaries. Prescribed burning of debris piles provide a more efficient way to reduce the leftover fuel from hand or mechanical treatments and helps further safeguard the park and nearby communities. DFFM recently completed similar projects at Picacho Peak State Park and Deadhorse Horse Ranch State Park with plans to continue project work at state parks as necessary.
All prescribed fire operations must have prior approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
Unfavorable weather can also delay or cancel burns out of public and firefighter safety. Once ignitions begin, notifications will be made on DFFM’s Facebook and X pages and through the agency’s mobile phone application. That app can be downloaded at https://www.apexmobile.net/app/azdffm/.
Deadline approaching for SBA Working Capital Loans due to Drought
Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today reminded small nonfarm businesses in 10 New Mexico counties and neighboring counties in Arizona and Texas of the May 13, 2024, deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury. These low‑interest loans are to offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary counties that began Sept. 5, 2023.
Primary New Mexico counties: Catron, Doña Ana, Grant, Luna and Sierra;
- Neighboring New Mexico counties: Cibola, Hidalgo, Lincoln, Otero and Socorro;
- Neighboring Arizona counties: Apache and Greenlee;
- Neighboring Texas county: El Paso.
According to Sánchez, small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. “Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact,” said Sánchez.
“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the applicant suffered any property damage,” Sánchez added.
The interest rate is 4 percent for businesses and 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on Sept. 11, 2023.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Mesa prescribed fire planned on Clifton Ranger District
The Clifton Ranger District plans to implement the Mesa prescribed fire project between April 12 and April 22, 2024. The 8,767 acre project area is located approximately 16 miles north of Morenci, Arizona. The project boundaries are Turkey Creek/Cow Canyon to the east, Forest Road (FR) 515 (Pine Flat Rd) to the north and west, and FR 475 (Juan Miller Rd) to the south.
Meeting project objectives with the use of prescribed fire and thinning treatments will help improve wildlife habitat by increasing grassland vigor and productivity and increasing diversity in vegetation age and size classes (seral stages) in browse species for a variety of wildlife species including, but not limited to, mule deer and antelope. Fire managers will conduct additional burning treatments, or maintenance treatments, as needed until the project objectives are met.
An estimated 1,600 acres of the Mesa burn unit falls under the Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA). The TFPA is a cooperative effort between the Forest Service and the San Carlos Apache Tribe and is aimed at implementing cross-boundary landscape restoration projects. The TFPA involves various partners including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) which has identified the project area as a priority for habitat restoration to increase forage for Mule deer and other species in the Unit 27 habitat plan. Continued restoration of the grasslands in the area would also expand Antelope habitat. As part of the TFPA cooperative agreement, a wildland fire crew with a type 6 engine from the San Carlos reservation will be assisting with the Mesa prescribed fire project.
Smoke will be visible from US 191 and the community along Eagle Creek. Smoke will impact portions of US 191 and FR 475 (Juan Miller Rd). All private landowners near the project area, including the San Carlos Indian Reservation and Gila National Forest, will be notified prior to project implementation.
Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
Capture.PNG
Walnut Fire located east of Flagstaff fully contained
The small Walnut Fire, located east of Flagstaff along Interstate 40, is fully contained at a quarter of an acre.
Three engines and two hand crews responded to suppress the fire, which was originally estimated at two acres, but determined to be a quarter-acre at the time of containment.
The interior portion of the fire may continue to produce minimal smoke and may remain visible from I-40 for a short period of time.
I-40 motorists are asked to remain cognizant of fire suppression efforts along the roadway as firefighters continue to monitor the fire.
The Walnut Fire was first reported the morning of April 10. Its cause is unknown.
Resources responding to 2-acre Walnut Fire east of Flagstaff
Resources are responding to the 2-acre Walnut Fire located east of Flagstaff along Interstate 40.
Resources responding include three engines and two hand crews.
I-40 motorists are asked to remain cognizant of firefighters working alongside roads in the area.
The fire was reported at roughly 11 a.m. April 10 and its cause is under investigation.
Payson Ranger District plans to burn over 5,000 acres near Diamond Rim
Fuel Treatment Project to Begin April 16, 2024
Tonto National Forest firefighters will conduct a 5,465-acre fuel treatment project on the Payson Ranger District beginning April 16 to May 3, 2024.
The Diamond Point/Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire will occur on Diamond Rim near Diamond Point Summer Homes and Diamond Point Lookout. Fire experts will ignite surface fuels such as ponderosa pine, juniper and shrubs under specified weather conditions.
These treatments modify wildfire behavior and effects by reducing surface fuels (dead vegetation on the forest floor such as branches or needles from ponderosa pine and juniper) and ladder fuels (small- to medium-sized trees with low-lying branches as well as shrubs that can carry fire from the ground into the tree canopy). In turn, this helps protect communities from extreme fires.
Prescribed fires support land management objectives by improving plant and wildlife habitat to increase biodiversity for wildlife corridors. Prescribed fires also help protect culturally significant native foods and plants, improve timber stands and recreational opportunities, and reduce the threat of invasive species on the landscape.
The planned burn also will improve the Ellison Creek watershed by reducing ground fuels and the risk of a large-scale wildland fire. Burned watersheds are prone to increased flooding and erosion, which can negatively affect water-supply reservoirs, water quality, and drinking-water treatment processes.
Smoke from the Diamond Point / Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire will be visible from State Routes 87 and 260 as well as Forest Service Roads 198 and 65 on neighboring national forests. Smoke will impact the following communities: Diamond Point Summer Homes, Ellison Creek Summer Homes, Ellison Creek Estates, Meads Ranch, Tonto Village, Bonita Creek Estates, Freedom Acres, Beaver Valley Estates, Whispering Pines, Thompson Draw Summer Homes Units 1 and 2, Diamond Point Shadows, Star Valley, and Payson. Residual smoke will remain in the air for several days after the final ignitions.
Forest Service officials urge the public to stay out of the project area and use caution when driving nearby to ensure the safety of fire management crews.
This upcoming prescribed fire supports the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. Commonly referred to as 4FRI, this landscape-level effort is restoring the structure, pattern, composition, and health of fire-adapted ponderosa pine ecosystems across 2.4 million acres in northern Arizona. The project uses a full suite of restoration approaches that are carried out by Forest Service personnel, partners, volunteers, and contractors. Additionally, the Forest Service consults with 17 Native American Tribes, as well as 10 Navajo Nation chapters on 4FRI.
Fuels reduction projects are part of the USDA Forest Service’s overarching wildfire crisis strategy to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests. For more information about the Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to address the wildfire crisis, visit the Confronting the Wildfire Crisis web page.
For additional information about this project, contact the Payson Ranger Station located at 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, Arizona. Or phone the station at (928) 474-7900 Monday – Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or Twitter @TontoForest.
A map of the Diamond Rim-Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire April 10 2024.jpgPayson Ranger District plans to burn to improve forest health, reduce risk of wildfire
Tonto National Forest firefighters will conduct a 5,465-acre fuel treatment project on the Payson Ranger District beginning April 16 to May 3, 2024.
The Diamond Point / Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire will occur on Diamond Rim near Diamond Point Summer Homes and Diamond Point Lookout. Fire experts will ignite surface fuels such as ponderosa pine, juniper and shrubs under specified weather conditions.
These treatments modify wildfire behavior and effects by reducing surface fuels (dead vegetation on the forest floor such as branches or needles from ponderosa pine and juniper) and ladder fuels (small- to medium-sized trees with low-lying branches as well as shrubs that can carry fire from the ground into the tree canopy). In turn, this helps protect communities from extreme fires.
Prescribed fires support land management objectives by improving plant and wildlife habitat to increase biodiversity for wildlife corridors. Prescribed fires also help protect culturally significant native foods and plants, improve timber stands and recreational opportunities, and reduce the threat of invasive species on the landscape.
The planned burn also will improve the Ellison Creek watershed by reducing ground fuels and the risk of a large-scale wildland fire. Burned watersheds are prone to increased flooding and erosion, which can negatively affect water-supply reservoirs, water quality, and drinking-water treatment processes.
Smoke from the Diamond Point / Pyeatt Draw prescribed fire will be visible from State Routes 87 and 260 as well as Forest Service Roads 198 and 65 on neighboring national forests. Smoke will impact the following communities: Diamond Point Summer Homes, Ellison Creek Summer Homes, Ellison Creek Estates, Meads Ranch, Tonto Village, Bonita Creek Estates, Freedom Acres, Beaver Valley Estates, Whispering Pines, Thompson Draw Summer Homes Units 1 and 2, Diamond Point Shadows, Star Valley, and Payson. Residual smoke will remain in the air for several days after the final ignitions.
Forest Service officials urge the public to stay out of the project area and use caution when driving nearby to ensure the safety of fire management crews.
This upcoming prescribed fire supports the Four Forest Restoration Initiative. Commonly referred to as 4FRI, this landscape-level effort is restoring the structure, pattern, composition, and health of fire-adapted ponderosa pine ecosystems across 2.4 million acres in northern Arizona. The project uses a full suite of restoration approaches that are carried out by Forest Service personnel, partners, volunteers, and contractors. Additionally, the Forest Service consults with 17 Native American Tribes, as well as 10 Navajo Nation chapters on 4FRI.
Fuels reduction projects are part of the USDA Forest Service’s overarching wildfire crisis strategy to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources while sustaining and restoring healthy, resilient fire-adapted forests. For more information about the Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to address the wildfire crisis, visit the Confronting the Wildfire Crisis web page.
For additional information about this project, contact the Payson Ranger Station located at 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, Arizona. Or phone the station at (928) 474-7900 Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or Twitter @TontoForest.
unnamed (15).jpgYavapai County Office of Emergency Management Launches New Website
The Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management (YCOEM) is pleased to announce the launch of its new user-friendly website, designed to provide residents with a quicker and simpler way to access information and enhance their ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.
The website is now live and accessible at www.yavapaiready.gov. This comprehensive online platform offers a wide range of resources to help residents stay prepared and informed. Key features of the website include:
1. Comprehensive Guide to Preparedness: The website provides a comprehensive guide to personal and family preparedness.
2. Emergency Information and Actions: Residents can find current emergency information and specific actions to take during various emergencies.
3. Recovery Resources: In the aftermath of a disaster, the website offers a dedicated section on recovery resources. This includes guidance on clean-up efforts, information on financial assistance, and assistance for individuals returning home after a disaster.
4. Local News and Updates: Stay up to date with recent news and updates on local disasters and emergencies through the website's news section.
5. RAVE Prepare Registration: The website provides a link for residents to sign up for RAVE Prepare, a web-based citizen-powered access and functional needs registry.
6. Genasys Protect: Information on Genasys Protect, our new evacuation zone system. The public can view all emergency advisories, warnings, and orders in Yavapai County. It also allows the public to view incident-specific evacuation points, Red Cross shelters, animal shelters, road closures, sandbag stations, and other resources.
7. Community and Volunteer Resources: A centralized hub for community and volunteer resources. It serves as a platform to connect residents with local organizations, volunteer opportunities, and additional support services that contribute to community resilience.
"Launching yavapaiready.gov represents a significant step forward in our mission to enhance resilience and preparedness in Yavapai County," stated Ashley Ahlquist, Emergency Manager "This website is more than a tool; it's a lifeline for our community, offering plenty of resources tailored to enhance preparedness, response, and recovery efforts."
Residents are encouraged to visit www.yavapaiready.gov and take advantage of the wealth of resources available. By proactively accessing this information, individuals can better prepare for emergencies and ensure the safety and well-being of themselves, their families, and their community
For information about the Yavapai County Community Office of Emergency Management, please contact Sarah Townsley at 928-771-3321 or email [email protected]. Or visit www.yavapaiready.gov
Small Burns Planned as part of Annual Basin Operation Drill
The annual multi agency Basin Operation Drill is planned for April 12-13, 2024 in the Groom Creek area south of Prescott, Arizona (T 12 ½ N, R2 W, Sec 23). The drill will involve the Prescott National Forest, Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, City of Prescott Fire, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, Bureau of Land Management and many other emergency response agencies including Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, and several volunteer organizations. The annual basin operations drill provides all participants an opportunity to train together, and test communication systems and equipment in preparation for the upcoming wildfire season.
For training purposes, fire managers will ignite three to six small fires over the two days pending favorable weather conditions. Smoke will be visible in the immediate areas of the burn activity, including portions of Forest Road 79, Forest Road 80, Senator Highway, and Whispering Pines Camp. In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of the prescribed fire burn units as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.
Media who would like to attend the live fire portion of the drill on Friday, April 12, 2024 will need to contact Prescott NF Fire Prevention Specialist Ansgar Mitchell at (928) 713-6349 by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2024.
For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter/X
West Escudilla Pile Burn planned on Springerville Ranger District
The Springerville Ranger District will continue planning prescribed fire pile burn efforts across 500 acres within the West Escudilla pinyon-juniper treatment units. Recent weather has provided ideal conditions and fire managers will look for opportunities to initiate burning between April 8 and April 30, 2024. The project area is located approximately 10 to15 miles southeast of Springerville-Eagar.
Winter is an optimal time to burn piled slash and woody debris because snow on the ground keeps the fire from spreading to adjacent vegetation. Encroaching junipers were thinned to decrease tree density and canopy cover, and to prevent regrowth of new juniper to restore the fuel type to
grassland, its original fire regime. A ‘fire regime’ is the term given to the general pattern in which fires naturally occur in a particular ecosystem over an extended period of time.
Smoke from these prescribed fire pile burns is expected to be minimal but may impact Highways 60 and 180/191 and the communities of Springerville-Eagar. Drivers are cautioned that visibility may be reduced, especially in the overnight hours when smoke settles near the ground.
Each prescribed fire is designed to accomplish specific objectives and is managed with firefighter and public safety as the highest priority. Fire managers use prescribed fire to improve forest health, remove hazardous fuels, increase firefighter safety, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect communities and watersheds. Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health.
Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
A photo of the West Escudilla pile burn April 5 2024.jpgPile Burn Project At Picacho Peak State Park Thursday
Starting Thursday, April 4, 2024, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) begins a one-day pile burn operation at Picacho Peak State Park outside of Eloy. Over the past few years, DFFM has been collaborating with Arizona State Parks and Trails to help with their wildfire risk reduction projects at various parks throughout the state.
Arizona State Parks and Trails conducts the routine, on-going vegetative maintenance and DFFM provides the qualified resources to burn off the piles. Pile burning provides a more efficient way to reduce leftover fuel from hand or mechanical treatments and helps further safeguard the park and nearby communities.
DFFM project managers plan to begin ignitions at 10:00 am with no impact to park visitors. Due to the location of the park, this project will be highly visible to drivers along Interstate 10, southeast of Eloy. Smoke is expected to drift to the north/northeast and may affect the highway. Drivers should use caution in the area. Crews and an engine will monitor the project through the weekend.
All prescribed fire operations must have prior approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality. Unfavorable weather can also delay or cancel burns out of public and firefighter safety. Once ignitions begin, notifications will be made on DFFM’s Facebook and X pages and through the agency’s mobile phone application. That app can be downloaded at https://www.apexmobile.net/app/azdffm/.
For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at [email protected]
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Arizona Small Businesses
Small nonfarm businesses in 15 Arizona counties and neighboring counties in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary counties that began Jan. 1, 2024.
- Primary Arizona counties: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yavapai;
- Neighboring Arizona counties: La Paz, Mohave and Yuma;
- Neighboring Colorado county: Montezuma;
- Neighboring New Mexico counties: Catron, Cibola, Grant, Hidalgo, McKinley and San Juan
- Neighboring Utah counties: Kane and San Juan.
“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Sánchez said.
Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.
“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4 percent for businesses and 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Sánchez said.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on March 25, 2024.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for economic injury is Nov. 25, 2024.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Small Businesses; Neighboring Arizona Counties Now Eligible
Small nonfarm businesses in 20 Colorado counties and neighboring counties in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary counties that began Nov. 1, 2023.
Primary Colorado counties:
- Alamosa
- Archuleta
- Conejos
- Costilla
- Hinsdale
- Huerfano
- La Plata
- Mineral
- Montezuma
- Rio Grande
- Saguache
Neighboring Colorado counties:
- Chaffee
- Custer
- Dolores
- Fremont
- Gunnison
- Las Animas
- Ouray
- Pueblo
- San Juan
Neighboring Arizona county:
- Apache
Neighboring New Mexico counties:
- Colfax
- Rio Arriba
- San Juan
- Taos
Neighboring Utah county:
- San Juan
“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Sánchez said.
Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.
“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4 percent for businesses and 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Sánchez said.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on March 25.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for economic injury is Nov. 25, 2024.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Small Businesses
Small nonfarm businesses in New Mexico and neighboring counties in
Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah are eligible
Small nonfarm businesses in 33 New Mexico counties and neighboring counties in Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah are now eligible to apply for low‑interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by drought in the following primary counties that began Nov. 1, 2023.
- Primary New Mexico counties: Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, Colfax, Curry, De Baca, Doña Ana,
- Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Harding, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Los Alamos, Luna, Mckinley, Mora, Otero, Quay, Rio Arriba, Roosevelt, San Juan, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Sierra, Socorro, Taos, Torrance, Union and Valencia;
- Neighboring Arizona counties: Apache, Cochise and Greenlee;
- Neighboring Colorado counties: Archuleta, Baca, Conejos, Costilla, La Plata, Las Animas and Montezuma;
- Neighboring Oklahoma county: Cimarron;
- Neighboring Texas counties: Andrews, Bailey, Cochran, Culberson, Dallam, Deaf Smith, El Paso, Gaines, Hartley, Hudspeth, Loving, Oldham, Parmer, Reeves, Winkler and Yoakum;
- Neighboring Utah county: San Juan.
“SBA eligibility covers both the economic impacts on businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers that have suffered agricultural production losses caused by the disaster and businesses directly impacted by the disaster,” Sánchez said.
Small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.
“Eligibility for these loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster only and not on any actual property damage. These loans have an interest rate of 4 percent for businesses and 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations, a maximum term of 30 years and are available to small businesses and most private nonprofits without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship,” Sánchez said.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the initial disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
By law, SBA makes Economic Injury Disaster Loans available when the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an agricultural disaster. The Secretary declared this disaster on March 25.
Businesses primarily engaged in farming or ranching are not eligible for SBA disaster assistance. Agricultural enterprises should contact the Farm Services Agency about the U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance made available by the Secretary’s declaration. However, nurseries are eligible for SBA disaster assistance in drought disasters.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to apply for economic injury is Nov. 25, 2024.