This week, the Kaibab National Forest Williams Ranger District is resuming mechanical thinning projects around Parks. These crucial treatments target dense forests to help restore historic, healthier conditions and reduce the risk of uncharacteristically severe fire.
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. Always use caution in the vicinity of active projects and follow any safety signage that may be posted. Closures for thinning operations are rare but may be necessary on occasion for public and crew safety. Closure information would be posted on the Kaibab National Forest website.
Mechanical thinning projects on the Williams Ranger District include:
- Government Prairie – located north of Parks. Work anticipated to occur during weekdays, not on weekends or major holidays with no fewer than 12 truckloads per day. Major haul routes are Forest Roads 107, County Road 141, and Route 66. Project expected to be completed in September 2024.
- Klostermeyer – located northeast of Parks. Work anticipated to occur during weekdays, not on weekends or major holidays (although Saturdays may be possible) with up to 20 truckloads per day. Main haul route is from northern gas pipeline to Forest Roads 107 on to Route 66.
- Spitz Hill – located west of Parks. Expected to begin in June.
- Beacon Boxcar – located just south of I-40 near Sherwood Forest. Contractor is currently working on the southeast side of Davenport Lake. Operations expected to continue into.
- Fortyniner East – located east of Parks. Bid expected to be awarded by June.
- Fortyniner West – located east of Parks. Contractor has returned to skid, process, and haul timber that was cut in March. Project expected to be completed in late September 2025.
- Junction – located just east of Williams, south of I-40 and Old Rt. 66 near Bearizona. Currently inactive, expected to be completed summer of 2024.
- Sawmill Springs Biomass – located northwest of Parks. Work anticipated to occur during weekdays, not on weekends or major holidays with up to 24 truckloads per day. Expected to begin in mid-June and completed by mid-August.
- Sitgreaves West – located northeast of Williams. Expected to be offered for bid this summer.
- Holden – located west of Williams. PROJECT COMPLETE: full removal of log material cut, skid, processed, decked, and removed – all acres had timber stand improvements as well as thinning of smaller materials, a majority of the slash material was ground and shipped to the Novo BioPower Plant between Snowflake and Heber/Overgaard, AZ.
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, X, Facebook, and Flickr.