Photo: Tree of Heaven, also called Chinese Sumac
The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) begins a fuels reduction project to help protect rural communities from the threat of wildfire. The Cherry Horse project will remove vegetation to mitigate hazardous fuels around Dewey, AZ. DFFM created this project to improve forest health and wildlife habitat quality while also implementing fuel breaks that can be utilized by firefighters in the case of wildfire nearby.
Cherry Horse Project – Yavapai County
This nearly 1,800-acre project was designed by DFFM to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire impacting the surrounding community of Dewey-Humbolt; additionally, removing dense vegetation will improve wildlife habitat and watershed health. Most of the project will utilize masticators, with hand crew work where machinery cannot access. Crews will masticate chaparral vegetation to break up the continuity of high-density fuel while also targeting invasive Tree of Heaven for removal. The project will improve the quality of wildlife habitat due to the increase of variety of vegetation in the area.
This project will be completed in three phases, with Phase 1 beginning the week of February 23. Phase 1 contains 508 acres of treatment north of SR-169, with future phases to be rolled out in the coming months. Project work also includes treatment along Old Cherry Road. While no road closures are planned, drivers should use caution in the area. The project work is expected to be completed by June.
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