Huachuca Mountains Prescribed Burn May 11-13

The Sierra Vista Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest, in collaboration with multiple partners to include Bureau of Land Management – Gila District, U.S. Border Patrol, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Fort Huachuca, U.S. Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Wild Turkey Federation, and Quail Forever will be conducting a prescribed burn May 11-13, 2023 on the west side of the Huachuca Mountains, if environmental and safety conditions are met.  The burn block occurs in the vicinity of Bodie Canyon, south of National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 61 along the U.S. and Mexico border, and south of Parker Canyon Lake (map attached).

The Border V Prescribed Burn will include approximately 522 acres of miscellaneous fuels in the area (grass, juniper, dead and down fuels, etc.).  This will be a broadcast burn with the intent to reduce hazardous fuels loadings, improve forest health and wildlife habitat, stimulate new growth to improve range conditions, and reduce juniper encroachment.  Intended objectives will be to consume 60% to 100% of the fine fuels, 25% to 75% of dead and down fuels, and reduce juniper regeneration by 50% to 100%.

Smoke will be mostly light with some periods of heavier smoke which may be seen coming over the west side of the Huachuca Mountains and will likely be visible from the Parker Canyon Lake community and recreation area, as well as Sierra Vista and the surrounding communities.  This burn will be taking place with light wind and the smoke is expected to carry up and out of the area upon completion of the ignitions.

There are no National Forest System Road closures planned as a part of this prescribed burn.