Fire managers on the Prescott National Forest plan to conduct prescribed fire operations in the area of Walker Rd. on the Bradshaw Ranger District. Ignitions are planned to start Sunday, Oct. 26 through Monday, October 27 depending on weather and fuels conditions and resource availability. Smoke monitoring will continue through Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Smoke from the Walker Prescribed Burn may be seen along Walker Rd. and in the Highway 69 area. As nighttime temperatures cool, smoke may linger in drainages and valleys. We ask that drivers exercise caution and patience as firefighters will be working right along the road during fire operations. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov/ to find more detailed information about air quality.
Ignitions are likely for 1-2 days with resources remaining on scene through Oct. 29 to monitor and patrol following the prescribed burn.
Trails in the Walker Rd. area will not be closed; however, the following trails should be avoided during prescribed fire operations for public and firefighter safety:
- Seven Mile Gulch Trail #9854
- Hoot Owl Springs Trail #745
The Prescott National Forest has completed the Ranch unit for a total of 839 acres. We would like to thank the public for their support during implementation. We were able to successfully keep smoke impacts to a minimum while allowing for only minimal disruption to recreational trail use in the area.
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 express continued gratitude to the community for its patience and understanding as we work to treat hazardous fuels and restore resilient landscapes.
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.
