U.S. Department of Agriculture

The Coronado National Forest is in southeastern Arizona..

Forest officials have announced thinning and piling projects for a swath of the Coronado National Forest.

Operations will begin in September and span near 800 acres to include areas of Mt. Lemmon and Willow Canyon. 

Starr Farrell is with the Coronado. She said the projects will help minimize fire risk near the town of Summerhaven.

"This will allow us to create those fuel breaks so that if a wildfire were to come into that area, hopefully, it wouldn't have as much fuel and it wouldn't be able to travel as quickly," she said.

Farrell said visitors to the Coronado National Forest have prevented wildfires this season by securing chains on their vehicles and putting out campfires.