If you stepped outside in Arizona this morning and noticed that telltale hazy horizon or caught a whiff of something burning, you aren't alone. It’s a bit jarring. Usually, January in the desert means crisp, clear air and those deep blue skies we brag about to our friends back east. But today, January 15, 2026, parts of the state are looking a little "soupy."
So, where is the smoke coming from in Arizona today?
Basically, it's not one giant wildfire. It's actually a patchwork of several smaller, controlled projects. If you’re in Prescott, the Verde Valley, or even parts of the Phoenix metro, you’re likely seeing the results of the Bradshaw Ranger District’s winter pile burning. Fire managers on the Prescott National Forest specifically circled today on the calendar to start igniting piles on Big Bug Mesa.
Why today of all days?
It sounds counterintuitive to start fires when people are complaining about the air, but the Forest Service is actually taking advantage of the recent moisture.
Snow and rain over the last couple of weeks have made the forest floor damp enough that these "slash piles"—basically giant heaps of leftover branches and brush from thinning projects—can be burned without the risk of the fire running away into the treetops.
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The Prescott and Bradshaw Connection
If you’re in the high country, the smoke is coming from the Bradshaw Ranger District. They are burning "machine piles" and "hand piles." These are the leftovers from forest thinning meant to protect homes in the wildland-urban interface.
You’ve probably seen the smoke if you’re in:
- Prescott Valley
- Dewey-Humboldt
- Chino Valley
- Mayer
Because the air is cold at night, we get what’s called an inversion. The cold air acts like a lid on a pot, trapping the smoke in the valleys and drainages. It’s why it might smell much worse at 7:00 AM than it does at 2:00 PM.
It’s not just the North: Tucson and Southern Arizona impacts
Down south, it’s a similar story but different names. The Santa Catalina Piles RX (prescribed burn) in Pima County has been active. While it’s been burning for about a week now, those 191 acres of piles are still putting up enough drift to be visible from Oro Valley and the northern edges of Tucson.
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Further east, the Safford Piles RX in Graham County is also active. That one is a bit larger—nearly 300 acres—and depending on the wind direction, that haze can travel quite a distance across the flat desert floor.
Is the air quality dangerous?
Honestly, for most people, it's just an annoyance. But "just an annoyance" is a relative term if you have asthma.
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is currently reporting Moderate (Yellow) air quality for Phoenix and Tucson. In Phoenix, the PM2.5 levels—those tiny particles that make up smoke—are hovering around an AQI of 76 today. It’s not "stay inside and seal the windows" bad, but if you’re sensitive, you’ll feel it.
The interesting thing is that in Phoenix, it’s a "double whammy." You have the drift from the Prescott burns coming down from the north, and then you have the local "Brown Cloud" effect. Urban wood burning in fireplaces, combined with stagnant winter air, makes the smoke from the mountains look much worse than it actually is.
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Current "Hot Spots" for Smoke Today:
- Big Bug Mesa (Prescott National Forest): Fresh ignitions today. Expect visible plumes all afternoon.
- Topock Marsh (Mohave County): Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is burning salt cedar debris. This is a nasty, oily wood that puts off very dark smoke.
- Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: Pile burns are ongoing near Heber-Overgaard and Springerville. If you’re driving the I-60 or State Route Road 260, you’re going to see it.
- Agua Fria National Monument: BLM crews are working on 200 acres of juniper piles.
The "Scam" smoke vs. real smoke
Interestingly, while people are searching for fire info, there’s been a weird spike in ADOT-related scams lately. Some people have reported getting texts about "emergency fire tolls." Just a heads up: ADOT doesn't do that. There are no toll roads in Arizona, and they certainly don't charge you for "smoke clearance."
What to do if the smoke is bothering you
If the haze is getting to you, the best thing is to check the HRRR (High-Resolution Rapid Refresh) smoke models. These are the same maps the meteorologists use. They show exactly where the "plume" is expected to drift over the next 18 hours.
Usually, by mid-afternoon, the ground warms up, the inversion breaks, and the smoke lifts. If you’re planning a hike in the Superstitions or a run in Pima Canyon, mid-day is your best bet for the clearest air.
Staying informed
Don't rely on rumors. If you see a big plume and want to know if it's a "good" fire or a "bad" fire, check the Arizona Emergency Information Network (AzEIN) or the InciWeb database. For today, January 15, everything on the board is a planned, prescribed burn.
Fire managers have to get a "smoke permit" from the state before they light a single match. They only get that permit if the winds are blowing away from major population centers. It’s a delicate balance, and sometimes the wind shifts unexpectedly, which is why Phoenix might smell like a campfire tonight.
Next Steps for Arizonans:
Check the real-time AirNow.gov map for your specific zip code before doing heavy outdoor exercise today. If you are in the Prescott or Topock areas, keep your windows closed during the overnight hours when smoke is most likely to settle into the low-lying neighborhoods. For those in Phoenix, avoid adding to the problem by skipping the backyard fire pit tonight—the air is already heavy enough.