As issued by Tonto National Forest, commencing on October 26, 2023 and running through November 17, the Forest’s firefighters, in collaboration with San Carlos Apache Tribe crews, will initiate a prescribed burn spanning 3,760 acres near Carol Spring Mountain.
Carol Spring Mountain
Firefighters will focus on treating 2,500 acres within the northern block of Carol Spring and 1,260 acres in the southern block. These areas are situated approximately 25 miles north of Globe, Arizona, within the Globe Ranger District. This endeavor is an integral component of the Tonto Timber Camp prescribed fire plan, designed to address 7,313 acres within the San Carlos Apache Tribal Forest Protection Act project area.
Caution Drivers
To ensure the safety of both firefighters and the public, authorities strongly advise motorists to exercise extreme caution when traveling on US Route 60, as there may be anticipated smoke impacts between mile markers 272 and 288. Each day, the burning will conclude by 3 p.m. to mitigate smoke-related disruptions along US Route 60.
Trail Possibly Affected
While the prescribed burns are not in the immediate vicinity, road conditions and smoke may affect trail use at:
- Griffin Hilltop Native Ruin, a less-than-one-mile out and back trail which offers sweeping views, native ruin exploration, and little or no trail traffic.
Prep Work for Prescribed Fires
Between September 27 and October 11, a Forest Service hotshot crew from the Pacific Southwest Region, in conjunction with contractors, engaged in mechanical thinning in the northern and southern blocks. This preparatory work involved the removal of ponderosa pine, oak, and juniper in readiness for the prescribed burn.
San Carlos Apache Tribe, Forest Service Cooperation
The Timber Camp prescribed fire plan falls under the broader San Carlos Apache TFPA project, addressing cross-boundary areas to treat national forest system lands and adjoining tribal ancestral lands in Arizona. This is aligned with the USDA Forest Service’s 10-year strategy to combat the wildfire crisis. Collaboratively, the Forest Service and the San Carlos Apache Tribe have been crafting landscape-scale strategies within the San Carlos Apache TFPA project area, with the aim of enhancing forest health and reducing wildfire risks along the borders of the Tonto, Apache-Sitgreaves, and Coronado National Forests, which abut tribal ancestral lands.
Measures to Reduce Risk of Wildfire
Mechanical thinning and fire operations in this region form an integral part of the USDA Forest Service’s wildfire crisis strategy, focused on reducing the risk of wildfires to people, communities, and natural resources while fostering the restoration of resilient, fire-adapted forests.
These endeavors are multifaceted, striving to improve plant and wildlife habitats, enhance biodiversity for wildlife corridors, facilitate clean water and flood control, safeguard culturally significant native foods and plants, improve timber stands, and enhance recreational opportunities. They also work towards mitigating the threat of invasive species within the landscape.
Contact Globe Ranger Station
For more information, contact the Globe Ranger Station at 7680 S. Six Shooter Canyon Rd., Globe, Arizona 85501, or phone the station at (928) 425-7189 Monday – Friday between 7:45 – 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.
To stay updated with the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow on Facebook @TontoNationalForest or X @TontoForest.
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