State partnerships aid forest restoration in Dude Fire burn scar

John Scaggs

Tonto National Forest

June 12, 2024

A section of Dude Fire burn scar area that was treated by removing competing vegetation so remaining trees are spread out more. — As shown in this treated section from Phase 1 of the Dude Fire Restoration Project in winter 2023, mastication reduces competing vegetation, resulting in more water and nutrients being available to remaining trees. The remaining, masticated material on the ground stabilizes soils and prevents erosion. (USDA Forest Service photo by Patricia Ringle)

ARIZONA—Phase 2 of the four-phase Dude Fire Restoration project began June 5 as the Forest Service’s partnership with state agencies continues to support the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, one of 21 landscapes the Forest Service recently identified as part of the agency’s 10-year strategy for confronting the wildfire crisis.

Through the Good Neighbor Authority—a cooperative agreement that allows national forests to authorize states, counties and federally recognized Native American tribes to conduct certain projects on federal lands in pursuit of specified land management goals—the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management awards and administers contracts to improve the health and vigor of ponderosa pine trees in the Dude Fire burn scar. Additional project partners include the Salt River Project and Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Timber harvester thins vegetation in forest. — Phase 2 of the Dude Fire Restoration Project began in June on the Tonto National Forest. This ongoing project highlights the importance of partnerships between the Forest Service and state agencies in Arizona, including the Forest Service and Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, the Salt River Project, and Arizona Game and Fish Department. Collectively, they are restoring 1,143 acres of ponderosa pine and woodland by reducing tree densities and removing competing brush through mastication during the second of four planned phases. The project supports the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, one of 21 landscapes the Forest Service recently identified as part of the agency’s 10-year strategy for confronting the wildfire crisis. (USDA Forest Service photo by Madeline Bautista)

During Phase 2, Arizona department-managed crews will restore 1,143 acres of ponderosa pine and woodland on the Tonto National Forest Payson Ranger District by reducing tree densities and removing competing brush through mastication, a treatment wherein crews use various equipment to grind, chip, or break apart brush and small woodland tree species and turn them into smaller pieces. Mastication also reduces competition for water and nutrients.

The Good Neighbor Authority also allows the department to implement watershed restoration as work supports and protects two key watersheds—the Upper East Verde and Ellison Creek that flow into the Verde and Salt River watersheds. These watersheds provide water to the Phoenix metropolitan area.

High-intensity wildfires like the June 1990 Dude Fire impact watersheds by decreasing soil nutrients and increasing soil erosion. This threatens water quality, infrastructure and storage capacity when rainfall washes ash and debris into rivers and reservoirs.

Forest Service officials forecast a December 2024 completion for Phase 2. The project will continue through 2026 and treat a total of 7,600 acres. Phase 1 concluded in February 2024 with crews treating 1,453 acres.

A lightning strike ignited the Dude Fire on June 25, 1990. It burned more than 24,000 acres in two national forests, destroyed 63 homes and claimed the lives of six firefighters.