WASHINGTON, D.C. — Four years ago, the Great American Outdoors Act became law and established the Legacy Restoration Fund to address our infrastructure maintenance backlog. Nearly 1,000 deferred maintenance projects are in progress across the United States, with 300 of those having been completed, from creating economic opportunities to expanding public access for everyone. 

This month, we also observed the 75th anniversary of the Mann Gulch Fire. Over the past 42 years, we see before us nature's progress in healing a 5,000 acre wildfire. In the forest's, surrounding Helena, Mont., 5,000 acre wildfires are not terribly uncommon. We have experienced a number of much larger fires just in the past decade. However, this particular fire, one that was ignited by a lightning storm on Aug. 4, 1949, left scars that will last a lifetime. It permanently changed the way the USDA Forest Service fights fires. 

Additionally, we learned about Benedictine monks, and how the are bringing the community and Forest Service together to reduce wildfire risk near the Gila National Forest. 

And, we also celebrated Smokey's 80th birthday.

All this and more this month's Around the Forest Service.