March 25 update:
The Scotia Prescribed Burn originally scheduled for March 13-15 [see March 10 news release below], has been rescheduled and is now set to begin on Sunday, March 26, and continue through Monday, March 27, if the correct environmental and resource parameters are met.
The burn will include approximately 490 acres of miscellaneous fuels in the area (grass, juniper, pinyon, oak, etc.) with the intent to reduce hazardous fuels loadings, improve forest health and wildlife habitat, stimulate new growth to improve grazing, and reduce juniper encroachment.
Smoke will be mostly light with some periods of heavier smoke which may be seen coming over the west side of the Huachuca Mountains and will likely be visible from Sierra Vista and the surrounding communities. This burn will be taking place with light wind and the smoke is expected to carry up and out of the area upon completion of the ignitions.
News Release (March 10)
The Sierra Vista Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest, in collaboration with multiple partners to include BLM GID, Border Patrol, Arizona Game and Fish, Fort Huachuca, U.S. Park Service, BIA, Wild Turkey Federation, and Quail Forever, will be conducting a prescribed burn March 13-15, 2023, on the west side of the Huachuca Mountains, Scotia Canyon, Sunnyside (NSFR 228), and the areas north of Lone Mountain and east of Parker Canyon Lake if environmental and safety conditions are met.
The Scotia Prescribed Burn will include approximately 490 acres of miscellaneous fuels in the area (grass, juniper, pinyon, oak, etc.). This will be a broadcast burn with the intent to reduce hazardous fuels loadings, improve forest health and wildlife habitat, stimulate new growth to improve grazing, and reduce juniper encroachment. Intended objectives will be to consume 95% of piled materials, 60% to 100% of the fine fuels, 25% to 75% of dead and down fuels, and reduce juniper regeneration by 10% to 50%.