The Bureau of Indian Affairs Fort Apache Agency Fire Management, together with White Mountain Apache Tribal Forestry, will begin pile burning operations on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation on December 1. The controlled burns are intended to reduce the risk of high-intensity wildfires by removing accumulated fuel in targeted areas, according to the Official Website of the State of Arizona.
Planned pile burns will focus on the Grasshopper and South Faught Ridge areas. The Grasshopper unit, west of Cibecue near Grasshopper Ranch House, is set to burn approximately 300 acres, while South Faught Ridge, south of Amos Ranch, could see about 1,200 acres burned. Operations will proceed based on weather conditions, fuel moisture, and smoke management. Residents who notice smoke are advised to limit outdoor activities to reduce potential health impacts.
The prescribed burns will occur in areas that have been previously thinned, with fuel intentionally piled for controlled ignition. These efforts aim to reduce the risk and severity of future wildfires and represent a move toward more managed and deliberate land stewardship practices.
Additional prescribed burn operations are underway at sites including Coyote West, Hon-dah Unit, Elk Canyon Unit, Soldier Butte West, Turkey Creek, Maverick, Odart North, and Seven Mile, with each location under continuous monitoring. This oversight is crucial to prevent unexpected flare-ups and maintain long-term fuel management following the burns. Community members seeking more information or wishing to ask questions about the prescribed burning program can contact Public Information Officer Gwendena Lee-Gatwood at (928) 205-8018.
