WILLIAMS — Tree removal has begun on a 1,646-acre project on the Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest associated with the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI).
The Pomeroy Task Order area is located in the vicinity of KA Hill just south of Scholz Lake and about 5 miles south of Interstate 40. Pomeroy is part of the 4FRI Phase One Stewardship Contract held by Good Earth Power AZ LLC.
As thinning work is implemented, residents and visitors can expect to see heavy equipment and workers in the project area and along haul routes. Log trucks may begin hauling as early as this week. The haul route will be from Forest Road 13 west to FR 109, north on FR 109 to FR 141, and then along FR 141 through McDougal Flat until reaching the Good Earth Power mill located near Bootlegger Crossing.
Members of the public are urged to use extreme caution near timber removal and hauling operations. Besides the presence of heavy equipment and log trucks, there will also be trees being felled and stacked into log decks, which can be unstable. Visitors to the area should not camp near nor climb on them, as they often shift and have the possibility of collapse.
A portion of the Overland Trail passes through the project area. Although the trail will not be closed, users can expect to see signs posted along the trail advising them of the work being completed. Safety signs have also been posted on roads in the area to inform members of the public about the operations.
Forest managers said they hoped at least 500 acres of thinning could be completed within the 1,646-acre project area before any snow falls.
The objectives of the thinning operations in the Pomeroy Task Order area are to reduce fuel loading and the potential for future high-intensity wildfires and to improve wildlife habitat and overall forest health.
The goal of the 4FRI is to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration within 2.4 million acres of ponderosa pine forest in northern Arizona to increase resilience and proper functioning. Restoring this fire-adapted ecosystem is accomplished with a suite of restoration activities – from watershed maintenance and habitat improvements to prescribed burning and thinning.
WILLIAMS — The Spring Fire—which has grown over 6,000 acres despite monsoon conditions—has spread into Wild Horse Canyon and is expected to burn itself out there. The Summit Mountain Trail (#68) continues to be closed until Sept. 30 or until Closure Order 07-15-01-F is rescinded. The trail was closed on July 30 due to the Springs Fire activity. 
WILLIAMS — There will be an meeting of Oath Keepers this Saturday at the Wild West Junction at 10 a.m. They invite those who wish to join Oath Keepers to attend the meeting.
WILLIAMS — While vacationing in Laughlin, we thought we found the perfect gift for Maggie who manages the Camp Civitan Shop in downtown Williams.
WILLIAMS — Williams received a significant amount of rain yesterday and it appears will continue to receive rain and cool weather throughout the week.
WILLIAMS — Since last Thursday, the missing 5-year-old Jerold Williams caught the attention of a nation. Young Jerold was lost while walking with his mother near Jacobs Lake in the northern Kaibab Forest. Searchers from several agencies searched from the the time he was reported missing until they, unfortunately, found him deceased yesterday. This sad event underscores the necessity to watch your children closely while camping. Even an adult can become disoriented in unfamiliar territory. With hunting season approaching it become even more imperative that you keep children close to camp.