BLM plans prescribed burns in Yavapai County
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PHOENIX — The Bureau of Land Management’s Phoenix District is planning prescribed burning operations to burn cut and piled brush from public lands in Yavapai County. Burning may occur over multiple days through February 2024 as conditions allow.
BLM fire personnel will burn tamarisk piles cut from about 40 acres of public lands northwest of Lake Pleasant, about 8.5 miles north of State Route 74. This vegetation was removed around springs to improve spring health and habitat for the lesser long-nose bat. Fire crews will also burn juniper piles from about 200 acres in the Agua Fria National Monument, east of Interstate 17. Thinning and burning juniper that has encroached into grasslands helps open wildlife corridors, reduce predator cover, and improve wildlife forage. Reduced fuel loads also help to lessen the intensity of unplanned wildfires and their impact on nearby communities.
To ensure public safety, BLM firefighters will ignite the piles only when weather conditions are conducive to safely burning. They will remain on scene to monitor public and resource safety. Area residents may see some light smoke during the burn operation. No local road closures are expected.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 provided funding for this prescribed burn. The legislation funds fuel treatments to help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and benefit neighboring communities.
For more information, contact Public Affairs Specialist, Chris Wonderly, at 602-818-8295, or jwonderly@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.