Are you seeing smoke in far East Valley? It could be a pile burn project

PHOENIX – Are you seeing smoke in the far East Valley? It could be due to a one-day pile burn project Tuesday at Lost Dutchman State Park.

Starting Tue. 1/20, Arizona Forestry will start a 1-day pile burn op at Lost Dutchman State Park, NE of Apache Junction. Smoke off the project will be visible to park guests, drivers along SR 88, & some AJ residents.

Arizona Forestry collaborates with @AZStateParks annually to… pic.twitter.com/CmYeMEK3Xw

— AZ Dept. Forestry and Fire Management (@azstateforestry) January 19, 2026

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) cautioned that smoke could be visible within the park, from State Route 88 and in parts of Apache Junction for several hours.

Lost Dutchman State Park, which is northeast of Apache Junction, will remain open to the public during the prescribed fire operation.

Tuesday’s pile burn on the southeast side of the park is a DFFM collaboration with Arizona State Parks and Trails to reduce the risk of wildfires.

State Parks and Trails is responsible for ongoing vegetation maintenance operations, while DFFM manages prescribed fires to ensure that the remaining fuel piles are safely burned.

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