The major issue threatening Arizona forests and wildlife today is managing forests to reduce fire risk. Arizona faces another "critical" fire season this summer, much the same as those the state saw last year and in 2002. This past month alone two large wildfires have sparked: the 4,311-acre "Webber" fire northeast of Pine and the 5,700-acre "Citrus" fire, northwest of Gila Bend. Unless it starts raining today and rains all spring, fire season this summer is looking to be a great threat. (Villa) Several factors feed our dry forests: drought, bark beetles and poor management. With the proper management our forests can be brought back to a healthy state and lower the risk of devastating fires. The focus of this essay will be on the factors of a healthy forest, ways to bring our forests into a healthy state and the new federal legislation that will help achieve these goals.
             The ponderosa pine forests of Arizona have evolved over thousands of years. Over this time, the trees have developed several adaptations which help them survive in dry and incessantly warm habitat. A once common occurrence in these forests which shaped the pine's particular ecological adaptations was wildfire. Studies indicate that the ponderosa pine forests on the southern plateau near Flagstaff, Arizona, and along the Mogollon Rim, were subjected to low-intensity ground fires perhaps every 2-12 years over historical time. However, due to fire suppression policy implemented by the United States Forest Service and other land management agencies beginning in the early 1900s, this pattern of fire drastically changed. The lack of reoccurring fire, along with widespread logging and grazing of forest lands, has led to changes in forest structure and ecology. (Moir)
             Today's ponderosa pine forest is often characterized by dense thickets of young pines with a thick under-story on the forest floor. When looking at census pictures from years before it is easy to s...