Globe Ranger District prepares for prescribed burn

Release Date: Nov 10, 2022

Fire officials on the Globe Ranger District are preparing for a prescribed burn near the Timber Camp Campground on the Globe Ranger District beginning Wednesday, Nov. 16-18, 2022.

The purpose of this 290-acre burn along Ash Creek is to reintroduce fire into the ponderosa pine stands to help protect them from the negative impacts of uncharacteristically intense wildfire. The management action of introducing fire helps move the area towards the desired conditions by allowing for watershed protection, wildlife habitat improvement and the improvement of ecosystem function.

The Tonto National Forest land management strategy is centered on long-term forest and watershed health and that strategy includes using prescribed burns to reduce fuels for the protection of communities and critical infrastructure.

Experienced fire and fuels specialists on the Tonto National Forest build prescribed burn plans using the most up-to-date science and modeling along with their combined on the ground fire and fuels experience. Prescribed burns are conducted within the parameters of these “prescription” burn plans that determine the appropriate fuel moisture, temperature, humidity, wind and ventilation that is needed to conduct these operations safely.

“While prescribed burns are effective at reducing hazardous fuels, there are risks, and we take every precaution to conduct prescribed burns across the landscape in the safest way possible,” said Fire Staff Officer Taiga Rohrer. “Prescription burns can change the behavior of a future wildfire to a less intense, more manageable surface fire making it safer for firefighters to engage.”

Fire specialists anticipate smoke impacts to highway US 60. Officials urge motorists to use extreme caution while driving through these areas and to slow down for the safety of firefighters and the public.

Affected communities should remain aware of smoke advisories and conditions. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or Twitter @TontoForest.