Comprised of about 1.25 million acres, the Prescott borders three other National Forests in Arizona: Kaibab, Coconino, and Tonto. Roughly half of the forest lies west of the city of Prescott, Arizona, in the Juniper, Santa Maria, Sierra Prieta, and Bradshaw Mountains. The other half of the Forest lies east of Prescott and takes in the Black Hills, Mingus Mountain, Black Mesa, and the headwaters of the Verde River.
Portions of the Prescott National Forest today are much the same as they were when Sam Miller panned for gold in Lynx Creek and was wounded by a cougar, or when General Crook's flag fluttered over Palace Station.
At the lowest elevation, the primary vegetation is of the Sonoran Desert type. As the elevation rises, chaparral becomes common, followed by piñon pine and juniper. Above that, Ponderosa pine dominates the landscape.
After 100 years of actively suppressing fire in our forests, the clinical report is in. Our forests are unhealthy and the prescription for getting them back to a healthy state is -- fire.
Stories featuring Prescott National Forest include our innovative Recreation Strategy on page 7, and the Prescott Cross Boundary Vegetation Management Project on page 4.
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