ARIZONA – Tonto National Forest officials authorized an important hazardous fuels reduction project partnering with National Forest Foundation and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The project is designed to improve forest health and wildlife habitat while also reducing the threat of wildfires to surrounding communities on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District.

District Ranger Matt Paciorek signed the decision for the Flying V&H Project, that will use prescribed fire and mastication to treat 1,798 acres within a 59,124-acre area to create conditions conducive to the reintroduction of low to moderate severity prescribed fire that will shift the ecosystem back to a more ‘natural’ and historic vegetative structure, creating a landscape resilient from drought, unnatural fire and increasing climate impacts. In addition, the project will protect an important 525KV powerline that feeds the Phoenix-metro area, as well as provide a safeguard against wildfire impacting the adjacent Fort Apache Reservation.

According to District Ranger Matt Paciorek, “Overall, there is a need to improve individual tree health and vigor. Reducing stand densities, improving watershed conditions and wildlife habitat diversity can help us achieve the desired conditions of the Tonto’s Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan).”

Prior to prescribed burning, tree densities will be reduced through mechanical and hand thinning procedures. The first phase of the project will begin this fall, treating almost 900 acres of the total project area, tiering to the Tonto’s Forest Plan, and as part of NFF’s watershed-based Northern Arizona Forest Fund.

“This project represents a win-win for all the partners,” said Rebecca Davidson, NFF’s Southwest Region Director. “Through this work, we will protect wildlife, improve forest and watershed conditions, protect local communities and powerline infrastructure and provide an important wildfire buffer for adjacent tribal lands.”

To maintain momentum, additional acres of treatment within the original 59,124-acre unit are also being assessed in tandem with the ongoing work to understand the effect of the remainder of the proposed project activities on cultural and heritage resources. When this additional information is available, a decision will be made on the remainder of the project area and issued in a separate decision memo.

“The Flying V&H Project is a great example of the power of collaboration and partnerships to achieve quality outcomes,” said Regional Supervisor Josh Hurst of AZGFD. “The Department is honored to have a seat at the table and contribute to this effort and looks forward to partnering on mutually beneficial projects in the future.”