The Clifton Ranger District plans to implement the Mesa prescribed fire project between April 12 and April 22, 2024. The 8,767 acre project area is located approximately 16 miles north of Morenci, Arizona. The project boundaries are Turkey Creek/Cow Canyon to the east, Forest Road (FR) 515 (Pine Flat Rd) to the north and west, and FR 475 (Juan Miller Rd) to the south.
Meeting project objectives with the use of prescribed fire and thinning treatments will help improve wildlife habitat by increasing grassland vigor and productivity and increasing diversity in vegetation age and size classes (seral stages) in browse species for a variety of wildlife species including, but not limited to, mule deer and antelope. Fire managers will conduct additional burning treatments, or maintenance treatments, as needed until the project objectives are met.
An estimated 1,600 acres of the Mesa burn unit falls under the Tribal Forest Protection Act (TFPA). The TFPA is a cooperative effort between the Forest Service and the San Carlos Apache Tribe and is aimed at implementing cross-boundary landscape restoration projects. The TFPA involves various partners including the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) which has identified the project area as a priority for habitat restoration to increase forage for Mule deer and other species in the Unit 27 habitat plan. Continued restoration of the grasslands in the area would also expand Antelope habitat. As part of the TFPA cooperative agreement, a wildland fire crew with a type 6 engine from the San Carlos reservation will be assisting with the Mesa prescribed fire project.
Smoke will be visible from US 191 and the community along Eagle Creek. Smoke will impact portions of US 191 and FR 475 (Juan Miller Rd). All private landowners near the project area, including the San Carlos Indian Reservation and Gila National Forest, will be notified prior to project implementation.
Landscape treatments on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape and other treatments to improve forest health. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/. Visit the A-S National Forests website and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter).