1. A method of operation in a non-volatile memory system, comprising: starting, in the non-volatile memory system, execution of a first memory operation from a first queue; in conjunction with starting execution of the first memory operation, starting a first timer in the non-volatile memory system, wherein the first timer is set to expire after a first predetermined time interval; and after starting the first timer, in accordance with a determination that the first timer has expired, performing one or more operations in the non-volatile memory system including: determining whether a second queue contains at least one memory operation for execution; in accordance with a determination that the second queue contains at least one memory operation for execution, performing one or more operations including: suspending the first memory operation from the first queue; executing a second memory operation from the second queue; and after completing execution of the second memory operation from the second queue, performing one or more subsequent operations; and in accordance with a determination that the second queue does not contain at least one memory operation for execution, performing one or more operations including: restarting the first timer, wherein restarting the first timer sets the first timer to expire after an interval equal to the first predetermined time interval; and continuing execution of the first memory operation from the first queue.