Controlled Burn Sends Billowing Smoke Skyward Over Maricopa

A controlled burn near Maricopa resulted in significant smoke emissions around the city today. This burn occurred in fields close to John Wayne Parkway and Peters and Nall Road at approximately 1 p.m.

The land is managed by a Canadian firm, Papago & JHC, and the burn is part of an annual practice conducted by Pratt Farms. On-site personnel confirmed that the blaze was controlled and carefully supervised.

Despite the visible smoke, local fire departments, including Thunderbird Fire Department and Ak-Chin Fire, were not involved in the operation. Allen Alcott from the Thunderbird Fire Department noted that farmers typically manage these burns independently. He remarked that it’s a routine process for them.

Controlled burns serve essential agricultural purposes, such as clearing weeds, enriching the soil with nutrients, and eliminating dead vegetation that could contribute to wildfires.

This is a breaking news story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.