The saguaro cactus is a centuries-old icon of Arizona’s landscape, having appeared in more movies than actor John Wayne. Placement of the cactus in cartoons such as the “Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote” imprinted the saguaro on generations of impressionable young viewers.

These jolly green giants of the Sonoran Desert reach heights of 40 to 60 feet and can weigh between two and three tons. Saguaros stand as large green pillars atop the dusty landscape, welcoming visitors with open “arms”.

Tonto National Forest firefighters are planning five “pit burns” on the Payson Ranger District beginning in November and continuing through March 2025 as weather and related conditions permit.

The Payson Pits prescribed fire project will remove assorted woody fuels resulting from clearing projects on federal and private lands. The Tonto’s Facebook and ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) social media pages will post specific start dates and projected end times for each prescribed fire.

Tonto National Forest firefighters will begin a 1,200-acre prescribed fire Oct. 28 on the Globe Ranger District near Carol Springs Mountain.

The five-day planned burn will occur 25 miles north of Globe, Arizona, within the Carol Springs south block. It is part of the Tonto’s Timber Camp prescribed fire plan that includes 7,313 acres of National Forest System lands.