Prescribed Burns Planned on Black Mesa; Highway 260 Smoke Expected
The U.S. Forest Service announced planned prescribed burns on the Black Mesa Ranger District Nov. 4–13, weather permitting, aimed at reducing fuels and protecting nearby communities and infrastructure. Apache County residents and travelers on Highway 260 should prepare for possible temporary area closures and reduced visibility from smoke; county emergency management will be notified when ignitions begin.
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The U.S. Forest Service has scheduled a series of prescribed burns on the Black Mesa Ranger District for Nov. 4–13, according to a Forest Service release dated Oct. 31. The operations are intended to reduce accumulated forest fuels and lower the risk of larger, uncontrolled wildfires threatening local communities and infrastructure across Apache County.
Forest Service planners emphasized that the ignitions are contingent on favorable weather and fuel conditions, meaning the start and progress of the burns could change. Temporary area closures within the burn units are possible while crews work to contain and manage the fires. Officers of local emergency management will receive formal notification from Forest Service officials when the ignitions begin to allow county agencies to coordinate public safety and traffic management.
The Forest Service also warned that smoke from the burns may affect visibility along Highway 260, a primary east–west corridor through the region. Reduced visibility on that highway could affect commuters, commercial traffic, school transportation, and emergency responders. Drivers should plan for potential delays and exercise caution in smoky conditions. Officials have advised that changes in conditions may lead to adjustments in the operations schedule.
Prescribed burning is a commonly used wildfire mitigation tool that removes underbrush and other fuels that can contribute to high-intensity wildfires. For communities in Apache County, these preventative actions are intended to protect structures, utilities, and roadways by creating more defensible landscapes around populated areas. While the burns are controlled, they do produce smoke that can temporarily impair air quality and visibility downwind of the operations.
Local impacts are likely to focus on recreation access and travel. Trails, forest roads, and popular public lands within or adjacent to the burn areas may be closed during operations for public safety. Businesses that rely on Highway 260 traffic should expect possible short-term disruptions. Residents with respiratory sensitivities may experience smoke-related irritation and should track local air quality advisories during the scheduled period.
Residents seeking updates on timing, closures, and safety recommendations are encouraged to monitor the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests news release pages and Apache County emergency management channels for real-time announcements. The Forest Service release serves as the primary public notice for this operation and notes that all schedules remain weather-dependent.
