This fall and winter, the Kaibab National Forest Williams Ranger District is implementing mechanical thinning projects around Williams and Parks. These treatments target dense forests to help restore historic, healthier conditions and reduce the risk of uncharacteristically severe fire.
Closures for thinning operations are rare, but necessary on occasion for public and crew safety during active logging.
“Our priority projects are strategically located around communities and key watersheds – areas where resilient forests, defensible space, and reduced risk of catastrophic fire are most critical,” says Debra Mollet, Williams and Tusayan District Ranger. “This means folks can easily see the great work taking place to restore this special landscape. It also means some short-term public impacts are to be expected. We’ll work hard to minimize those as much as possible while we continue to provide the forest with the crucial treatments it needs.”
Residents and visitors can expect to see paint markings on trees, active cutting, woodchippers and grinders, log decks, slash piles, and materials being hauled away.
The following mechanical thinning projects are expected to begin June 15, 2023 on the Williams Ranger District:
Other mechanical thinning projects on the Williams Ranger District include:
For additional details about mechanical thinning on the district contact the Williams Ranger Station at 928-635-5680. More information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the local ranger stations.