Gosar, Mohave County commissioners press for quicker wildfire suppression, expanded logging and oversight

U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar on Aug. 7 told the Mohave County Public Lands and Recreation Commission that lightning-started fires that ignite in forest areas lacking recent understory or fuel management should be suppressed immediately and that returning commercial logging and local thinning is needed to reduce catastrophic wildfires.

Gosar framed the issue as a matter of public safety, forest health and agency accountability. "If lightning or any other way starts a fire and it hasn't been maintained or has not had undergrowth taken care of in the last five years, you immediately have to put it out," he said during the commission's meeting.

The congressman said parts of the Grand Canyon and surrounding federal lands have far higher tree densities than intended — he cited areas with "1,200 to 1,600 trees per acre" versus an expected maximum he described as about "60 trees per acre" for healthy ponderosa stands — and that canopy fires now move into crowns and become uncontrollable. He attributed part of the problem to restrictions on road access and to what he described as administrative choices by agencies that have limited active forest management.

Commissioners and county staff pressed on accountability and operational coordination. Commissioner Ellingson asked which federal agency is the initial lead when fires start on park lands; Gosar said the National Park Service initiates response on park property, and the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other agencies join as a fire spreads. Commissioner Barlow asked how far the planned congressional inquiry will probe local and regional officials; Gosar said the oversight will include regional and local leaders as well as national chiefs and the Department of the Interior.

County staff reported partial reopening of some Kaibab forest roads and hunting units. The county noted units referenced for reopening included 247, 248, 248A and 279A on the Kaibab and advised residents to check for updates.

Gosar said he will convene senior officials — including the Forest Service chief, Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives — for oversight and answers about on-the-ground decisions, staffing levels and prescribed-use of resources. He also described plans to incentivize local logging and wood processing, arguing private-sector harvest could help remove fuels while generating local economic benefits.

Commissioners cited secondary impacts such as lost hunting opportunities and air-quality effects. Commissioner Diaz noted insurance market effects in communities affected by fires. Several speakers described wildlife and hunter impacts tied to road and area closures. County staff and commissioners urged continued local coordination with the congressman's office; staff identified Penny (Penny Pugh) as a county contact in Gosar's office for timed inquiries.

No formal motion or county action was taken at the meeting. Commissioners expressed support for tighter oversight and asked staff to provide local information and data for the congressman's planned inquiries.