Expect week of smoke from Dude Creek Rx burn

UPDATE: DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES

THIS PRESCRIBED BURN HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Payson, Ariz. (July 26, 2011) – Payson Ranger District fire specialists plan to conduct a broadcast fire treatment of 576 acres west of Bonita Creek and east of Verde Glen in the Dry Dude Creek area on Friday, July 29.

The purpose of the prescribed fire treatment is to eliminate dead and down logs and vegetative debris left over from the Dude Fire of 1990.

During fire operations, signs will be posted along the roads that are likely to be affected by smoke. Motorists are urged to use caution while driving through these areas and to slow down for the safety of firefighters and the public.

Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see and smell moderate to heavy amounts of smoke during the prescribed fire operation. Smoke during the day will move up and over the Mogollon Rim.

Diurnal air flow in the evening hours will move residual smoke down the East Verde River corridor and will settle at night in the Verde Glen, Bonita Creek, and Whispering Pines areas. Smoke may linger in the treated areas up to seven days.

Prescribed fire treatments are always dependent on optimal weather conditions, such as fuel moisture content, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and directions, and other variables.

Broadcast fire treatments typically continue for several days or weeks and generally are conducted when grasses have dried and cured and the weather is cooler. Windy conditions are often needed to carry flames in an open area to achieve beneficial effects desired by land managers.

For information about prescribed fire and mechanical fuels reduction operations, please call the Payson Ranger District at 928-474-7900. Residents can also stay updated on prescribed fires at www.fs.usda.gov/Tonto. To report a wildland fire, the fire emergency number is 866-746-6516, or dial 9-1-1.