U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will be conducting a prescribed burn today (2/8) on approximately 300 acres at Blankenship Marsh (near sandbar). Access to the burn units or adjacent waterways will be limited during active fire operations.

Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Division of Boating Safety will have patrol boats in the area. Please be aware and use caution when approaching the area. Boat safe, boat smart, boat sober, and always wear a life jackets

Original release 2/7

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will be conducting a prescribed burn tomorrow (2/8) on approximately 300 acres at Blankenship Marsh (near sandbar). Access to the burn units or adjacent waterways will be limited during active fire operations. Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Division of Boating Safety will have patrol boats in the area. Please be aware and use caution when approaching the area. Boat safe, boat smart, boat sober, and always wear a life jacket.

Location : Prescribed Burning at Havasu and Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuges will take place at Blankenship Marsh (near sandbar) and Bill Williams River Delta (Hwy. 95 Bridge)

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge and Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge will be conducting prescribed fire operations at two marsh locations in the Lake Havasu City area. Fire operations will be conducted to remove hazardous woody fuel and improve marsh habitat for Yuma Ridgeway’s Rails.

Approximately 300 acres of marsh vegetation in the Blankenship Bend area just south of Topock Gorge will be burned in a controlled manner. Fire crews are also planning to burn approximately 20 acres of cattail marsh at the Bill Williams River delta adjacent to the Hwy. 95 bridge at the Mohave/ La Paz County line. Impacts to highway traffic are expected and temporary closures of the Hwy. 95 bridge are possible during heavy smoke.

Burning operations will start on or after Monday February 3rd and continue to Friday February 7th. Access to the burn units or adjacent waterways will be limited during active fire operations. Please contact the HQ refuge office at (928) 667-4144 or Refuge Manager Richard Meyers if you have questions or concerns.