The Tonto National Forest will begin the "Payson Pits prescribed fire project" this November as part of a plan to manage and reduce hazardous fuels near Payson. The project is expected to continue until March 2025, depending on suitable weather conditions for safe burning, according to the Tonto National Forest.
The Forest Service conducts pit burns to clear accumulated woody debris from both federal and private lands. Each burn typically covers about two acres and helps reduce wildfire fuel while promoting a healthier forest. Information on the burn dates and times is available on the Tonto's Facebook and 'X' social media pages, as reported by the Tonto National Forest.
The five locations targeted for the burns include Chase Pit, situated 11 miles north of Payson, and Conner Pit, positioned near mile marker 281 on the Globe-Young Highway, about 20 miles south of Young, Arizona. Additional sites comprise Gisela Pit, just a mile north of Gisela; Pleasant Valley Pit, located near mile marker 304, two miles south of Young; and Ponderosa Pit, found 12 miles east of Payson on State Route 260 at mile marker 265. Fire specialists will manage the controlled burns to ensure they are done safely. Residents and stakeholders can contact Tonto National Forest authorities for more information. The Forest Service is committed to maintaining forest health and reducing the risk of wildfires.
