Additional prescribed fires planned for Arizona Strip

To decrease the risk of future wildfires and protect cultural and natural resources, the Bureau of Land Man­agement (BLM) Ari­zona Strip District an­ticipates initiating two prescribed fire treat­ments this fall and winter from December through March, as weather and fuel mois­ture conditions allow.

The Kanab Creek prescribed fire treat­ment will take place 20 miles south of Fredo­nia, Arizona. This treatment is focused on burning invasive vegetation as part of an ongoing ripar­ian restoration project in the Kanab Creek drainage. The ripar­ian restoration project works to enhance wild­life habitat and protect cultural and natural resources.

The Buck Pasture pile burns will take place 22 miles east of Fredonia, Arizo­na (along BLM Road 1025). This prescribed fire treatment will focus on reducing the surface fuels, and fuel continuity, helping maintain the desired vegetation conditions, while enhancing the overall health and re­siliency of the pinyon pine, juniper, and clif­frose stands.

To ensure public safety, BLM fire­fighters will conduct treatments only when weather conditions are conducive to safely burn. They will remain on scene to monitor public and resource safety.

Visitors to this re­gion of the Arizona Strip may see some light smoke during the burn operation. Smoke emissions will be man­aged in accordance with the Arizona De­partment of Environ­mental Quality regu­lations. No local road closures are expected but public access may be restricted during ignition to ensure pub­lic safety. Signs will be posted to notify the public.

Please use caution when traveling near the project area. If a member of the public is intending to camp, hunt or recreate on the Arizona Strip, they are advised to call the BLM public lands information center at 435-688- 3200, for information on potential prescribed fires in the area.