Week 4 & 5, Holden Lake Thinning Project

Now that training is completed, the team has settled into their housing in Flagstaff, Arizona and have begun their first project. The Team has been working with the Kaibab National Forest outside the town of Williams, Arizona. The temperatures have already begun to rise and the forest is currently in a Type 3 Fire Ban (limiting our use of Chain Saws to early mornings only).

The teams first project is in a 26 acre thinning project located in the Wildland Urban Interface surrounding Williams in a prescribed burn area known as the Holden Lake Thinning unit. The Team has been felling, bucking, limbing, and hand piling hazardous fuels which include specified sized Pondrosa Pine and Juniper trees. The work is extremely difficult and demanding however it is equally rewarding knowing we are helping protect the communities surrounding Williams, AZ. Later, in the winter, these piles will be burned prior to a prescribed broadcast burn of the entire thinning unit.

Check out our amazing before and after pictures below:

The Team poses in front of one of their many piles. (Left to Right): Davon, Bobby, Brian, Eric, & James.
Project Leader, Bobby Woelz, reviews proper Chain Saw maintenance with the team.
Eric limbs & bucks downed timber while Bobby swamps.
Bobby limbing and bucking
Eric limbs & bucks downed timber while Bobby swamps.
Brian Hirtzer
James Love
Before Piling
Before Piling
After Piling
After Piling

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Veterans Fire Corps - Kaibab 2012

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Veterans Fire Corps provides recent-era Military Veterans the training, credentials and experience they need to competitively pursue wildland fire and/or forestry careers.

Veterans Fire Corps in the News:
Black Hills Fox News: Crews test skills in live fire exercise

Crossville Chronicle; Random Thoughts: Returning vets fight fire. Crossville, TN

The Daily Courier; Prescott, AZ.