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County backs five-county push for timber-thinning, calls situation a "regional emergency"
Summary
The commission agreed to support a five-county letter urging the U.S. Forest Service to open approved timber cells, prioritize mechanical thinning and reduce regulatory delays, framing current large fires and dense, water-stressed stands as a regional emergency.
The Iron County Commission on Monday agreed to back a five-county resolution asking the U.S. Forest Service to immediately open approved timber cells and prioritize mechanical thinning to reduce wildfire risk.
Chair (S1) read a draft letter calling the situation a "regional emergency," saying dense, overstocked stands and regulatory delays have left forests vulnerable and fueled recent large fires. The letter urges the Forest Service to "immediately open access to all approved timber cells, prioritize mechanical thinning in overstocked areas, and eliminate regulatory delays that obstruct active forest management."
Commissioners discussed long-term changes in forest density and management, and the chair described plans to have a county representative hand-deliver the resolution to forest-service leadership in Washington, D.C. The commission asked staff to finalize the letter language and circulate it to other five-county steering-committee members for final action.
Why it matters: Commissioners framed the request as a near-term public-safety measure aimed at reducing the fuel loads that contribute to megafires; they also linked the approach to maintaining local watersheds, infrastructure and economic resources in affected communities.
Next steps: Commissioners expect to finalize edits, sign the letter and deliver it through the five-county association this week.
