Jimmy Jenkins/KJZZ

Tonto National Forest.

Two restoration projects are underway in the Tonto National Forest.  The treatments are being done to mitigate the results of a wildfire that occurred over 30 years ago.

The ecosystem restoration efforts are being carried out in the Tonto Forest’s Payson Ranger District. One project involves pulverizing certain tree species to help regulate competition. It’s an effort to control growth stemming from the 1990 Dude Fire.

Andrew Nordquist is a fire management officer with the forest.

“The brush species and juniper species grow much faster than the oak, ponderosa and Douglas fir species and thus outcompete them for needed resources,” he says.

The forest is also launching a project in consultation with Arizona tribes to restore Emory oak groves.