Fire managers on the Prescott National Forest plan to conduct prescribed fire operations in the area of Walker Rd., Lynx Lake area, on the Bradshaw Ranger District south of Prescott, Arizona. Ignitions are planned to start Sunday, Oct. 19 – 26 depending on weather and fuels conditions and resource availability. The Ranch/Walker Prescribed Burn is located ¼ mile south of Highway 69 adjacent to the Ranch of Prescott, southeast of Prescott; west and east of Walker Rd; north of Lynx Lake and the community of Walker; and west of Lynx Lake. Ignitions are likely for 3-4 days with resources remaining on scene to monitor and patrol in the days following the prescribed burn.
Trails in the Lynx Lake/Walker Rd., area should be avoided during prescribed fire operations for public and firefighter safety; trails include the following.
- Ranch Trail #62,
- Homestead Trail #305,
- Seven Mile Gulch Trail #9854
- Lynx Ruin Trail # 301,
- Hoot Owl Springs Trail #745
The public should use extra caution when driving on Walker Rd., immediately south of State Route 69 and north of Lynx Lake Recreation area for public and firefighter safety. Firefighters may be on or adjacent to the roadways during prescribed fire operations.
The use of ground resources and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are being used to meet the project objectives. Expect smoke impacts to be light to moderate and visible from multiple locations including Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewey, and surrounding communities including Yavapai Hills, The Ranch of Prescott and the community of Walker. As nighttime temperatures cool, smoke may linger in drainages and valleys. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality.
All prescribed fire activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels, and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov). In the interest of safety, forest visitors are reminded to obey all traffic signs, temporary road and trail closures, and use caution when traveling in the vicinity of prescribed burns as firefighters and fire-related traffic will be in the area.
Prescott National Forest’s land management strategy is centered on long-term forest health and reducing forest fuels. Prescribed fire with low to moderate fire behavior can reduce hazardous fuels and increase forest and community resilience. In the wildland-urban interface, prescribed fire reduces the risk of wildfire to communities through hazardous fuels reduction which helps create buffer zones where we have a higher probability of safely stopping future unwanted wildfires. We would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding as we work to treat hazardous fuels and restore resilient landscapes.
On days with prescribed fire activity there will be an information booth established to provide up to-date prescribed fire information. Follow us on our social media accounts for times and location.
For fire information please call the Bradshaw Ranger District at 928-443-8000 during regular office hours: Monday, Wednesdays, and Friday, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm & 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm and Thursdays 11 am – 3 pm.
Stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook.
