Forest Service to Ignite Tree Piles on Mt. Lemmon in Major Forest-Clearing Operation

As early this Friday, Coronado National Forest staff will initiate a controlled burn of tree piles on Mt. Lemmon, continuing their extensive forest-clearing project.

Residents and visitors in the Summerhaven vicinity, including areas around Soldier Camp, Willow Canyon, and the General Hitchcock campground, should anticipate noticeable smoke. Forest Service spokeswoman Star Farrell noted that approximately 750 acres would be affected. Additionally, increased traffic from firefighting crews is expected.

Trails and roadways will stay open during the operations, though visitors are advised to steer clear of the burning areas.

Operations might commence as early as Friday but could be delayed by unfavorable weather or insufficient resources, Farrell mentioned.

Last year, small trees were cut and consolidated into piles along Catalina Highway to thin the forest, aiming to lower flammable fuel loads around properties and infrastructures.

The current pile burns are part of a follow-up treatment to this thinning process, Farrell explained. The tree piles typically cure for 1-2 years before burning, representing the culmination of the land treatment.

Completion of burning these piles, contingent on adequate moisture levels, will significantly lessen the risk of catastrophic wildfires in these thinned areas. This reduces available fuel and fire intensity, making suppression efforts easier, Farrell emphasized.

In 2020, the Bighorn Fire, ignited by lightning, ravaged nearly 120,000 acres on Mt. Lemmon over 48 days before being extinguished by fire crews aided by monsoon storms.