The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Fire Management, in partnership with the White Mountain Apache Tribe, has been conducting prescribed burns across the Fort Apache Indian Reservation to reduce wildfire risk and improve ecosystem health. Recent operations included igniting 1,000 acres in the Maverick Unit on Saturday, while the Elk Canyon Unit treated 674 acres and is now under monitoring, and the Hon-Dah Unit’s activities have been paused, according to the Arizona Emergency Information Network.
Other units, including Coyote, Odart, and Turkey Creek, remain under observation, with the Tonto South Unit having burned 984 acres and also now under surveillance. Notably, UAS flights were deployed over the Tonto South Burn Unit for the first time in the BIA Western Region to assist with aerial ignition and support ground crews, as reported by the Arizona Emergency Information Network.
The Bureau has conducted controlled burns on 13,825 acres over eleven days to reduce wildfire risks and improve forest and watershed health. Residents are advised to be cautious, especially when hunting or woodcutting, because of firefighters, vehicles, and cattle on roads. If smoke levels increase, they should close windows and limit outdoor activities. Gwendena Lee-Gatewood, Public Information Officer, can be contacted at (928) 205-8018 for more details, as stated by the Arizona Emergency Information Network.
