No New Ignitions On The Kaibab National Forest Until Possibly Saturday

A prescribed burn on the Kaibab National Forest, which had been sending smoke into the Flagstaff area this week, has completed ignitions for now. Officials say nearly 800-acres were treated yesterday near Williams and crews will go into a “holding and patrolling” pattern today and tomorrow. However, more ignitions on the project are planned and could resume Saturday if higher winds that are forecast the next couple of days subside. Fire managers realize the impacts to air quality may be unpleasant at times, however they can significantly reduce the amount and limit the duration of smoke more effectively using prescribed burning methods than in an uncontrolled wildfire situation. Prescribed burns remove fuels from the forest floor to reduce the threat of future, large wildfires.