THE WINTER MOISTURE RECEIVED ON THE PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST HAS PROMPTED FIRE MANAGERS ON THE VERDE RANGER DISTRICT PLAN TO BURN 90 ACRES OF PILES ON BEGINNING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) THROUGH THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 3RD.

THE PILES ARE LOCATED ON ON MINGUS MOUNTAIN AT FOREST SERVICE ROAD 104 NEAR THE HANG GLIDER LAUNCH SITE, AND FOREST SERVICE ROAD 106 NEAR THE WOODCHUTE TRAILHEAD. FIRE MANAGERS EXPECT SMOKE IMPACTS TO BE LIGHT IN THE SURROUNDING AREA WITH NO ROAD OR TRAIL CLOSURES.

PILE BURNING HELPS TO REDUCE HAZARDOUS FUELS ADJACENT TO THE WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE AND INCREASE ECOSYSTEM AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

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 BURN AS FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRE-RELATED TRAFFIC WILL BE IN THE AREA.

MESSAGES WILL BE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHEN MANAGED FIRES ARE IGNITED ON THE PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST.