FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Aug. 12, 2024 — A mechanical thinning project along Snowbowl Road, the latest effort to reduce the risk of unwanted wildfire and restore Coconino National Forest lands to a resilient condition, will begin tomorrow.
As part of an ongoing project to reduce hazardous fuels along Snowbowl Road (Forest Road 516), contract crews will resume the cutting of small-diameter pine and fir trees, which will then be hauled to specific locations along Freidlein Prairie Road (Forest Road 522).
Some wood will be made available for public gathering via free use permits, and other wood will be arranged for future pile burning.
“These mechanical thinning operations are part of a larger forest-wide initiative to fulfill our local obligations to the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy,” said District Ranger Matt McGrath. “These efforts are just one small part of a greater overall strategy to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and subsequent post-fire flooding in the Flagstaff area.”
Thinning work is expected to last for roughly six weeks but could last longer due to weather and other factors.
Intermittent closures of Snowbowl Road may occur during tree removal work. These closures would last up to 30 minutes at a time and would occur between Monday and Friday, prior to Arizona Snowbowl’s winter operating season. All motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians will be required to stop during the intermittent road closures.
Signage will be posted to alert area visitors to ongoing work.