Arizona’s Coconino National Forest is planning to conduct prescribed burns in the Flagstaff Ranger District as well as in the Mogollon Rim Ranger District as of October 30, 2023. No closure or restrictions are expected.
Fort Valley Experimental Forest
The project is planned for Oct. 31 or Nov. 1 along Fort Valley Road, one mile west of Basecamp at Snowbowl. This project is part of a study on prescribed fire by Northern Arizona University to burn a small piece of land on a five-year rotation. The area was last burned in fall 2018.
The burn area is about three acres and the duration of the project is just one day. There may be light smoke impacts on Highway 180, but no closures or restrictions related to the burn are planned.
Local trails where smoke might be sensed:
- Freidlein Prairie Trail: This 5.1-mile out-and-back trail is considered moderate in difficulty and offers forest views.
- Bismark Lake Trail via Arizona Trail: This is a 16.8-mile out-and-back trail that is often used for mountain biking and is very popular among recreationists.
Upper Beaver Creek
Your outdoor plans are likely not impacted by this prescribed fire in the Mule Park area near the Happy Jack Ranger Station, as there are no calls for closures or restrictions in the area.
The burn is set to go from Oct. 30 through Nov. 3 and cover 6,000 acres. The Mogollon Rim Ranger District says in the advisory, “Rare easterly winds will minimize smoke impact to Lake Mary Road. Smoke impact will be felt in the Camp Verde and other Verde Valley communities.”
When heading to these trails, you may encounter work crews on your route:
- Arizona Trail: Passage 29 – Mormon Lake: This 14.7-mile point-to-point trail begins off of Lake Mary Road north of the Mule Park burn area.
- Buck Mountain via F South Road 229: This 15.6-mile point-to-point has a terminus on Lake Mary Road south of the burn area.
Always be prepared before setting off on your trails.
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