Prescribed burning in the Pinaleño Mountains near Safford — aimed at watershed restoration and reduction of woody fuels — is expected to begin Thursday, Coronado National Forest officials said in a news release.
The initial operation will be a test burn to determine if burning conditions are favorable. If test burns are successful, approximately 15,000 acres will be burned within the next two weeks depending on weather conditions. Aerial and ground ignitions will be used to complete the project.
The area to be burned is along Arizona 266 in the vicinity of Greasewood Mountain, about 17 miles south of Safford.
A closure to accommodate the project will be in effect beginning Thursday for all national forest land south of Arizona 266 and east of Forest Road 661.
