Firefighters from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service will conduct a prescribed burn on Bureau of Land Management-managed public lands in April as conditions allow.
Firefighters will burn about 118 acres of cut tamarisk piles in the Gila River drainage about eight miles east of Agua Caliente in western Maricopa County.
Thinning and burning efforts reduce fuel loads to help lessen the intensity of unplanned wildfires and their impact on nearby communities and wildlife habitat.
"To ensure public safety, firefighters will ignite the piles only when weather conditions are conducive to safely burning," states a BLM press release. "They will remain on scene to monitor public and resource safety.
Residents may see some light smoke during the burn operation, according to officials. Smoke emissions will be managed in accordance with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
No local road closures are expected, according to BLM officials
