(June 15, 2009 – 4:45 p.m.) Coronado National Memorial and the fire crew from Saguaro National Park plan to conduct a prescribed burn in the grasslands near the entrance to the park on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. The visitor center and all trails will remain open.
This prescribed fire project is part of an experiment to study methods of control for Lehmann Lovegrass, an exotic African grass that has invaded large portions of southern Arizona. Approximately 30 acres will be treated. The burn is expected to last one day.
Prescribed fires are carefully conducted under identified and approved prescription conditions. The prescribed burn will take place only if weather conditions allow. Wind, temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure will be monitored to ensure safe and effective prescribed fire operations. The burn will be closely coordinated with weather forecasters and air quality managers.
If the approved prescription conditions do not exist on a specific day, the planned burn will be postponed. For this reason, it is impossible to accurately predict the exact day this prescribed fire will be conducted.
It is anticipated that Coronado National Memorial and Montezuma Canyon Road (FR 61) will remain OPEN during the burn. Smoke from the fire may be heavy at times and will be visible from the surrounding region.
(Source: National Park Service)
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