The U.S. government has released its environmental review for its plans to reduce wildfire risks in Arizona’s Rim Country.
The Rim Country Project is part of the Four Forest Restoration Initiative, known as 4FRI. It includes plans for reducing risks of severe wildfires and improving forest health.
"The fire season has become hotter and drier and longer so we’re seeing catastrophic wildfires," said Forest Service spokesman Adam Livermore.
At stake are about 1.2 million acres of ponderosa and mixed conifer in the Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino and Tonto national forests. And the increasing urban development nearing those.
"Now we’re seeing housing right up against those areas," he said.
A 45-day objection period starts next week and the environmental impact statement and hundreds of related documents are at the Forest Service website.
