Forest service planning pile burning this week

WILLIAMS - Kaibab National Forest fire managers announce plans to burn slash piles in various locations of the forest in the next few weeks. The recent moisture, higher humidity and the outlook for the current weather pattern to continue, is providing an opportunity for fire crews to implement the burns. If conditions allow and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality approves the requests, burning may begin Friday. The following areas on the Williams Ranger District are being considered for burning -

• Spring Valley - 30 acres, located just south of Spring Valley Road, in the Elk Spring area.

• Elk Lee - 25 acres, 15 miles southeast of Williams, near JD Dam.

• Reneke Knoll - 50 acres, 3 miles southeast of Williams and southwest of Woods Subdivision.

• Frenchy - 50 acres, 2 miles south of Interstate 40, northeast of Horse Hill.

During the day, smoke will transport to the northeast of the project units given our prevailing southwest winds. With cloud cover overnight, some smoke will settle into areas such as Spring Valley, Woods Subdivision, Tule Canyon, Sycamore Canyon, and Garland Prairie. On Friday, fire crews will decide which piles to burn depending on direction of wind, location of recent rain and ventilation.