This week, the Tonto National Forest is beginning to thin trees near a number of Arizona communities to help reduce wildfire risk.
The project will help thin some of Arizona's densest forests, from low elevation communities below the Mogollon Rim to Pine and Strawberry.
Last year was one of the driest on record in Arizona, and thousands of acres burned in the Tonto Forest during the summer.
Foresters will target more than 5,000 acres over the next five months. Thinning can help reduce the impact of forest fires, and benefit wildlife and watersheds.
