New blaze erupts east of Tonto Basin

Lightning caused Browns fire managed for resource benefit

PHOENIX (July 27, 2014) – The lightning caused Browns fire was reported July 26, at 2:15 p.m. It is burning on the north side of Browns Peak in the Four Peaks Wilderness area, 6 miles east of Tonto Basin.

The fire is being managed for resource benefit and is estimated at 17 acres. It is burning in chaparral  brush and pinyon-juniper fuel types. Fire activity has been low, mostly creeping and smoldering. Humidity levels will remain high for the next few days and thunderstorm activity is expected to increase. 

Forest Trail 133 (Browns Trail) is currently closed for public safety.

Due to the location and recent monsoonal moisture, the fire poses no immediate risk to life, safety, property or resources.

Management for resource benefit minimizes risk and exposure to firefighters in addition the wildfire will improve and benefit natural resources.  Benefits to natural resources derived from these types of fires include:

• Reduction of heavy fuel loading that diminishes the threat of catastrophic wildfire.
• Reintroduction of fire into the landscape to perform its historical role of cleaning the forest floor of dead and down vegetation, eliminating sickly trees, and generally keeping the ecosystem healthy.
• Raising the crown base height. The crown base simply means the lowest limbs on an individual tree that would allow a ground fire to climb into those limbs and transition the fire vertically up into the tree to create a crown fire. 
• Recycling valuable nutrients back into the soil.
• Maintaining and improving wildlife habitat.

Visitors and residents will see light-to-moderate smoke from the surrounding communities and as far away as Payson.  The possibility of smoke settling in the Tonto Basin are overnight exists.

For further information, please call the Tonto Basin Ranger District at 928-467-3200.  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.