The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) have teamed up to restore forests scorched by the historic Dude Fire, signing a $1.5 million agreement under the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). This collaboration is set to launch the third phase of the Dude Fire Restoration Project in Payson Ranger District come October 2024, said Matt Paciorek, Payson District Ranger, according to a USDA statement.
As part of this partnership, which merges federal, state, tribal, and county resources, the initiative seeks to manage and restore forest health over 7,600 acres affected by the Dude Fire and will also tackle an additional 8,000 acres by year-end 2027, however, said Paciorek, the current phase involves mastication over 1,143 acres with expectations to beef up the health of ponderosa pine stands by lessening tree densities and clearing out competing vegetation – effectively reducing wildfire fuel. The slated future treatments, about 8 miles northeast of Payson, will include a significant area near Ellison Creek and Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery, with further slash pile mastication near Ellison Creek Estates.
Tom Torres, Director of the DFFM, emphasized the value of Good Neighbor Authority agreements, stating, "These collaborations enable us to treat more acres, protect communities from wildfire, and support resilient forests and healthier watersheds," a message echoed in the USDA announcement. These efforts not only aim to protect communities and their watersheds but also aid in reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfires akin to the devastating 1990 Dude Fire that devoured over 24,000 acres, destroyed homes, and tragically claimed the lives of six firefighters.
The project is bolstered by ties with community-based groups such as the Salt River Project (SRP) and corporate sponsors including Meta and EdgeCore, with SRP's Elvy Barton highlighting that "these collective action partnerships are having an exponential impact to reduce wildfire risk and protect water supplies," while the commitment extends to cultural values as well, for the area is home to regenerated Emory oak, a tree revered by Native peoples, hence it's also part of the Emory Oak Collaborative Tribal Restoration Initiative elucidated Patty Ringle, Tonto Silviculturist. The Forest Service, buoyed by this tapestry of partnerships and a part of the 4 Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), plans to treat 2.4 million acres across various national forests, a sweeping effort prioritized for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding in the ongoing battle against the wildfire menace in the Southwest, as mentioned by USDA.
