The Forest Service uses a combination of mechanical thinning, hand thinning and prescribed fire to improve timber stand and wildlife habitat by reducing the density of trees, reducing the amount of ground fuels/duff and litter, and by restoring a more low severity high frequency fire regimen.

Timber sales and other removals of forest products foster resilient, adaptive ecosystems to mitigate climate change, mitigate wildfire risk, and strengthen communities. The removal of trees helps defend against disease and infestation, maintain wildlife openings, add water for wildlife and our human communities, and increase the diversity of plants and wildlife which improves overall forest health.