Forest thinning project near Fort Valley to begin the week of October 15, 2017

Release Date: Oct 12, 2017

Contact(s): Flagstaff Ranger District at 928-526-0866, Media Contact: Brady Smith, George Jozens (928)224-8306

Flagstaff, Arizona — The Forest Service has partnered with The Nature Conservancy, and personnel from their organization will begin a 1,620-acre forest thinning project near Fort Valley as early as next week.

The Chimney Springs project is located approximately four miles north of downtown Flagstaff, between Fort Valley Trailhead and the Freidlin Prairie dispersed camping area. Harvesting operations will begin sometime next week and are expected to be continue through the season until winter weather halts the project. Operations will then continue next summer.

As thinning work is implemented, people in that area can expect to see heavy, mechanized equipment and workers in the project area and an increasing number of log trucks traveling along the haul route. The haul routes will include U.S. Highway 180, Forest Road 164B, Snowbowl Road, and Forest Road 522. It is possible that there could be a significant number of trucks hauling timber through this area until project completion.

The Fort Valley trail system and Freidlin Prairie dispersed camping are used quite heavily by the public for recreation, so visitors near the project should use caution near timber removal and hauling operations.

Besides the presence of heavy equipment and log trucks, there will also be trees being felled and stacked into log decks, which can be unstable. Visitors to the area should not camp near nor climb on them, as they often shift and have the possibility of collapse.

“This stewardship agreement and project with The Nature Conservancy is a great example of working with partners to help communities to be safer by creating healthier forests,” said Kim Newbauer, Coconino National Forest natural resource specialist. “However, people should definitely be aware of the dangers of such operations and steer clear of any tree felling, heavy equipment and log stacks.”

The objectives of the Chimney Springs project are to reduce fuel loading and the potential for future high-intensity wildfires and to improve forest health and watershed conditions.