(Feb. 19, 2009 – 10:55 a.m.) Red Rock Ranger District fire management crews are conducting a prescribed burn today, Feb. 19 in the area of Stehr Lake and Forest Road 502, which is located to the west of Fossil Creek, north of the Verde River and northeast of the old Childs powerplant.

This activity is part of the continuing restoration process following the Irving/Childs Power decommissioning and deconstruction program. Vegetation to be burned consists of grass and dry cattail debris residual from Stehr Lake itself.

Once full flow was restored to Fossil Creek, Stehr Lake no longer received water from the flume diversion to the Childs Power Plant.

Smoke is expected to be visible from the Fossil Creek area, Verde River area and the community of Strawberry and is anticipated to disperse quickly today and into the weekend.

All prescribed fire activity has prior approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

For more information, please contact the Red Rock Ranger District at 928-282-4119 or the Coconino National Forest Web site.

(Source: Coconino National Forest)