The Black Mesa District on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Arizona Game and Fish Department to conduct prescribed burn treatments from May 12, 2019 through June 15, as weather conditions allow.
Prescribed burning provides many benefits and is essential to maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. This prescribed fire is a follow up to previous mechanical treatments within parts of the units and within the old burn scar from Rodeo/Chediski Fire in 2002. It provides habitat diversity, recycles plant nutrients into the soil and encourages new growth for a variety of plants used by wildlife and livestock. Prescribed burning of forest ground fuels also reduces the threat of large scale wildfire impacts to private lands.
The project will benefit elk, mule deer, antelope, other species and overall forest health.
(Photo source: U.S. Forest Service)