The Black Mesa Ranger District plans to conduct prescribed fire operations on 10 acres to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations and minimize the risk
of high-severity wildfires.
Ignitions on the 10-acre Black Mesa Admin burn are planned to begin on April 28, 2024 and the project is expected to be completed the next day. The prescribed project area is located at 2748 East Highway 260 in Overgaard at the Black Mesa Ranger District administrative site. The prescribed burn
will be bounded by Forest Road 50 and previously constructed fire control lines.
Smoke is expected to impact the communities of Heber-Overgaard and Highway 260. Drivers are cautioned that smoke may cause reduced visibility in the area. The objective is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations around the Black Mesa Ranger District and return the landscape to a more fire-
resistant condition. This prescribed burn will also be utilized as a teaching tool as it is part of the curriculum for the S-219 Firing Operations class for wildland firefighters.
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. These prescribed fires align with the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy to reduce wildfire risk to nearby communities and natural resources. Air quality information can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/.
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