The prescribed burning program is a cooperative effort involving the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Tonto and Prescott National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, Arizona State Land Department and private land owners including local ranchers. With the concern about fires and recent escaped prescribed burns it seems like a good time to not light fires. However, the same conditions that make fires a concern present the conditions needed for improving antelope habitat. Fire historically kept grasslands open with few trees, said Verde Ranger District Biologist Albert Sillas. Fewer fires have allowed more trees to increase in the grasslands reducing grassland forage for wildlife.
Soil stabilization is also dependent upon improved grassland conditons.
Forest Service Fire Management Officer, Dugger Hughes, said that the abundant moisture last September produced an excellent grass crop to carry the fires into juniper and mesquite trees providing a good opportunity to reduce the tree density.