Last year, the Coconino County Forest Restoration Initiative kicked off the Upper Rio de Flag Watershed Restoration Project in partnership with the Coconino National Forest. This project aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and post-wildfire flooding in the 21,500 acre Upper Rio de Flag Watershed. According to such catastrophes in this area could result in a regional economic impact ranging up to nearly $3 billion.
This year will see increases in the scale and scope of the forest restoration operations in the project鈥檚 priority treatment areas, and as this activity ramps up, it is critical that Flagstaff area recreationists, motorists, and visitors know what to expect.
1. Stay Safe around Forest Restoration Operations.
Increased forest restoration means increased mechanical thinning. Expect to see heavy machinery in the forest and log trucks on forest roads and highways.
- Do Not Approach Mechanical Thinning Operations.
- Stay Back At Least 300 Feet from Log Trucks.
- Give a wide berth and right-of-way to all forest restoration machinery and vehicles.
2. Expect to See Changes in the Forest
Reducing catastrophic wildfire risk in Coconino County most often includes significant thinning of the forest. This is because our forests are fire adapted and need routine fire to thrive, but historical fire suppression has created a condition where our forests are overgrown and overloaded with wildfire fuel. After a forest area is treated, it may suddenly appear much less dense. Though they may seem drastic, these treatments are helping our forests to be healthier and more resilient to wildfire.
The partners of the Upper Rio de Flag Watershed Restoration Project use the best available science to determine the location and degree of forest restoration treatments, and all treatments are pursued with forest health as the primary goal. Treatment areas will change in appearance, but this change is for the better.
For more information on the Upper Rio de Flag Watershed Restoration Project, visit .