Pinto Mesa RX (Legal – T14N, R3E, S26,27,33,34,35,36; T13N, R3E, S1,2,3,4,9,10,11) – Approximately 3000 acres northwest of Interstate 17 and Highway 169 will be treated with the majority of the ignition operations being aerial. Visitors can expect delays on Forest Roads 96, 9604S, 9603F, and 9650A and are reminded to drive defensively and be aware of your surroundings. Smoke will be noticeable to the communities of Cherry, Prescott Valley and the Verde Valley.

Prescribed fire is one tool managers use to lower the risk of severe wildfires. Fire managers make every effort to minimize smoke impacts to the communities while continuing to address the critical need to reduce the risk of severe wildfires around those communities.

All prescribed fires activity is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, weather, fuels and conditions that minimize smoke impacts as best as possible and approval from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (www.azdeq.gov).

The public can obtain additional prescribed fire information via the following:
· Prescott NF Fire Information Hotline: (928) 777-5799
· Prescott NF Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/prescott/
· Local Ranger Stations: Bradshaw Ranger District, (928) 443-8000; Chino Valley Ranger District (928) 777-2200; Verde Ranger District (928) 567-4121