Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

The Verde Glen area is slated for a 500-acre prescribed burn Wednesday, Dec. 2 through Friday, Dec. 4. The burn will take place east of Whispering Pines and south of Control Road 64.

Residents and visitors to the area can expect to see moderate to heavy amounts of smoke. Most smoke will dissipate by 5 p.m. Diurnal air flow will move residual smoke in the evening hours down the East Verde River toward Whispering Pines, Beaver Valley, and Cold Springs.

“Throughout the 2009-2010 prescription burn season, the Payson Ranger District fire experts will utilize optimal weather windows for prescribed maintenance burns,” said Fire Prevention Officer Gary Roberts, Payson Ranger District. “The best-laid plans or strategies for prescribed burning operations must, at times, be modified or aborted. Weather forecasts and microclimates can change and shift quickly. When they do, it is imperative that we remain flexible to quickly adjust our prescription burning strategy for any location, day, or hour on the Payson Ranger District.”

Prescribed fires are closely monitored and managed by the forest serve to reduce catastrophic wildfire danger, to initiate the restoration of natural ecological systems, and to develop and foster sustainable forest conditions and watersheds. Aggressive suppression action is taken if the fire displays behavior that does meet resource management objectives, Roberts said.