Kaibab National Forest approves new forest plan

The Kaibab National Forest released its new land management plan last week, outlining increased protection efforts and new wilderness areas. The 1.6 million acres of U.S Forest Service land border Grand Canyon National Park and Williams. The new plan replaces the original 1988 plan, officials said. It outlines measures to restore ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests, as well as grasslands, using increased fire frequency through prescribed burns and allowing natural burns, like lightning-caused fires, to burn themselves out where appropriate. Mechanical thinning will also be a major component. Forest officials say the new plan will help reduce the risk of catastrophic crown fires and boost ecological resilience in the face of climate change. They hope the Four Forests Restoration Initiative will help with those goals. The new plan also includes 6,400 acres of additional wilderness areas. Source