THE ANNUAL MULTI-AGENCY “BASIN OPERATION DRILL” IS PLANNED FOR APRIL 14TH AND 15TH IN THE GROOM CREEK AREA SOUTH OF PRESCOTT. THE ANNUAL BASIN OPERATIONS DRILL PROVIDES ALL PARTICIPANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN TOGETHER, AND TO TEST COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT IN PREPARATION FOR THE UPCOMING WILDFIRE SEASON.

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.

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES FIRE MANAGERS WILL SIMULATE 3 TO 6 SMALL FIRES OVER THE TWO DAYS NEAR SCHOOLHOUSE GULCH, PENDING FAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

SMOKE WILL BE VISIBLE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREAS OF THE BURN ACTIVITY, INCLUDING PORTIONS OF FOREST ROAD 79, SENATOR HIGHWAY, AND WHISPERING PINES CAMP.

IF VISITING THE NATIONAL FOREST DURING THE DRILL, YOU ARE REMINDED TO OBEY ALL TRAFFIC SIGNS AND USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING IN THE VICINITY OF THE FIRE SIMULATIONS, AS FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRE-RELATED TRAFFIC WILL BE IN THE AREA.