Prescribed Burn to Start Near Mingus Mountain
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management begins a multi-day pile burn about 10 miles east of Prescott on Tuesday.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Asthma
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The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management will begin a pile burn of ponderosa pine material in the Mingus Mountain region on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The prescribed burn is expected to last several days, weather permitting, with smoke plumes visible for miles.
Why it matters
Residual smoke is likely to settle in the Verde Valley overnight during the burn period, and smoke may minimally affect communities in Prescott, Prescott Valley and nearby recreation areas. Residents in Arizona with asthma or other respiratory conditions may want to monitor conditions during the burn.
The burn site sits about 10 miles east of Prescott, and the extraction gives no air quality index values or smoke concentration figures. The burn's total duration remains unconfirmed because it depends on weather conditions.
The players
Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management
The state agency responsible for forest management, wildfire prevention, and prescribed burns across Arizona's public and private lands.
The details
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management is conducting a prescribed pile burn of heavy ponderosa pine material in the Mingus Mountain area. Plumes of smoke will be visible for miles from the burn site, and residual smoke may drift into the Verde Valley overnight.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Prescribed pile burn begins near Mingus Mountain.
Several days after Tuesday, weather permitting: Burn continues with smoke visible across the region.
Overnight during the burn period: Residual smoke expected to settle in the Verde Valley.
Seasonal Patterns
Prescribed pile burns in Arizona's ponderosa pine forests are a standard tool the state agency uses to reduce fuel loads before wildfire season. This burn follows that established practice in the Mingus Mountain region.
Residents with asthma may notice smoke drifting into the Verde Valley, Prescott, and Prescott Valley during the burn period. Keeping rescue inhalers accessible and limiting outdoor activity when smoke is visible may help reduce irritation.
The takeaway
Smoke from prescribed burns can travel beyond the burn site, so people with asthma should check local smoke conditions and keep medications within reach during the burn period.
Further reading
For related coverage of respiratory health risks, see Asthma.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KJZZ.
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