Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests work collaboratively to provide wildfire protection and forest products

Release Date: Feb 4, 2014

Springerville, AZ; February 3, 2014—The Forest Service manages national forests for multiple uses and benefits such as clean water, wildlife habitat, forage, wood and recreation. Concerned citizens help us balance all these uses and make decisions in the best interest of the forest and the public. The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests work collaboratively with the public to integrate community values and protection into all aspects of management, including wildfire protection. 

In partnership with private local contractors, we have reduced excess fuels through mechanical treatments on nearly 70,000 acres near Alpine, Nutrioso, Springerville, Eagar, and Greer since White Mountain Stewardship started. In Lakeside and Black Mesa Ranger Districts, we have mechanically treated over 7,500 acres in the past three years.  About 8,000 additional treatment acres have recently been sold or planned for sale. We have also treated over seven thousand acres of hazardous fuel conditions through prescribed burns in the past several months. Multiple foundations and other agencies help provide funding to implement these burns.

Standing fire-killed trees are not very conducive to carrying fire, but salvage sales do contribute to local industry. Since the Wallow fire, we have awarded about 40 salvage sales to local businesses. One such sale is currently active in the Big Lake recreation area and is supplying timber to the mill in Nutrioso while reducing the threat of hazard trees to the public. Insects typically move into burned areas very quickly and the market for insect-infested wood is severely limited so there is little time over which salvage sales are economically feasible.

Fuel wood cutting, while helpful, does not contribute enough to significantly impact a wildfire. And in some areas, desirable fuel wood species are not the major component of hazardous fuel conditions. However, national forests are committed to providing local communities with access to forest products including fuel wood through permitting programs. 

“As a user of firewood in the past to heat my home, I can assure you I take the availability of firewood for public use very seriously,” said Jim Zornes, Forest Supervisor. Areas are designated for gathering based on resource objectives. Decisions on permit availability are made by individual districts who take into consideration the condition of roads. Permits may not be available in some areas during winter months when snow and ice lead to muddy areas that are easily damaged. 

Fuel wood permits are currently available for Black Mesa, Lakeside, and Clifton Ranger Districts. Alpine and Springerville Ranger Districts should have permits available by the end of this week. Please contact our district offices directly with questions or concerns about fuel wood permits.