Flagstaff, AZ - The Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger District has announced the completion and formal decision for the Munds Park Fuel Reduction Project planning effort, authorizing a combination of prescribed burning and thinning treatments to reduce the fire hazard around Pinewood/Munds Park.

Implementation is anticipated to begin this spring.

The project calls for approximately 2,950 acres south and west of the Pinewood/Munds Park community to be treated; approximately 990 acres will be thinned and initial entry and maintenance prescribed burns will occur in all 2,950 acres where treatment has been approved. These treatments will not prevent wildfires from occurring, as fire is a natural and necessary part of this ecosystem. Rather, the reduced fuels will minimize the chances of severe fire behavior in the area, creating safer conditions for the community and firefighters.

“The Munds Park community has continued to be overwhelmingly supportive of this project, despite the setbacks in the planning process,” said Mike Elson, District Ranger for the Peaks/Mormon Lake District. In 2007, a decision memo to begin implementation was issued; however, in November 2008, decisions that were signed using the Categorical Exclusion referenced in that decision memo were enjoined nationwide following a lawsuit in California. Therefore, the district re-analyzed the project in an Environmental Assessment and additional scoping and comment periods were held. “We’re anxious to now move forward with these important treatments.”

Pending the outcome of the appeal period that ends this month, the Peaks and Mormon Lake District plans to begin thinning and prescribed burning operations this spring, continuing as conditions allow.

For additional information or a copy of the EA, contact the Peaks Ranger Station, 928-526-0866. To receive notification emails about prescribed fire activity across the forest, sign-up on the website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/conditions/current-rx.shtml.