Mechanical thinning beginning on Chino Valley Ranger District
NOTIFICATION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
Prescott, Arizona, Mar.28, 2025 - Beginning in April, a contractor working on the Chino Valley Ranger District will be using heavy equipment to thin approximately 1,197 of the Stephens Well Mastication Project. This project is being implemented under the Chino Landscape Restoration Project.
The project area is located on national forest lands northeast of Fair Oaks, Arizona, west of Chino Valley. Mastication operations will occur adjacent to and north of Fair Oaks Rd (County Road 124).
Although no trail or road closures are expected, we do ask the public to avoid Fair Oaks Rd, Forest Roads 9813C, 9815C, 9815F, 9816C, and 9817C if equipment is operating (see attached map). Please do not enter areas where the heavy equipment is operating. Approaching such equipment is very dangerous as the operator may not see you.
The intent of the project is to improve the health and resiliency of fire-adapted ecosystems while simultaneously reducing hazardous fuels that pose a threat to life and property in the Wildland-Urban Interface.
For more information, please contact the Bradshaw Ranger District at (928) 443-8000.