The Coconino National Forest is planning three hand pile burns starting Thursday in conjunction with forecasted snowy weather. The operations will burn piled material remaining from previous mechanical treatments both north and south of the Flagstaff metropolitan area. The Hotshot Ranch and Taylor Woods piles projects are located 8-miles northwest of Flagstaff and just north of Fort Valley, will burn about 73-acres starting tomorrow through Friday, depending on weather. The Mountainaire Piles project, just east of I-17 at the Mountainaire Road exit, is planned for 52-acres worth of piles and will begin either Thursday or Friday. Smoke impacts are expected to be light. No closures are in place.
