Fire managers on the Prescott National Forest will begin a prescribed pile burn on Big Bug Mesa starting Tuesday. The operations will take place on the Bradshaw Ranger District and include machine and hand piles created through recent forest thinning and fuels reduction projects.
Ignitions could continue through the end of month, as recent rainfall has created favorable conditions for safe burning. Light smoke may be visible from Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, and surrounding communities. Smoke may also linger in valleys during cooler nighttime hours.
The project is part of ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of a wildfire and promote long-term forest health.