The Southwestern Region is 20.6 million acres. There are six national forests in Arizona, five national forests and a national grassland in New Mexico, and one national grassland each in Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle.The region ranges in elevation from 1,600 feet above sea level and an annual rain fall of 8 inches in Arizona's lower Sonoran Desert to 13,171-foot high Wheeler Peak and over 35 inches of precipitation a year in northern New Mexico. map of forest locations »
The Kaibab National Forest, in partnership with Coconino County, the National Forest Foundation, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, began technical steep slope forest restoration and fuels reduction work on the Bill Williams Mountain in September 2019. This project is a top priority for all of the partners in order to reduce unnaturally dense timber stands and heavy accumulations of dead and down woody fuels on the highest portion of the mountain’s north face in areas difficult to access.
To protect public health and safety, and the health and safety of our employees and volunteers, the Southwestern Region of the USDA Forest Service has taken steps to protect our communities and our natural and cultural resources by implementing state and region wide bans on campfires limiting group sizes. These restrictions reflect federal and state guidance to limit the spread of COVID-19. Recreation site closures are managed by each forest.
![[Photo] Rider on an ATV riding down a sand dune.](/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/fsbdev3_020444_tn.jpg)
