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Replanting Arizona: Restoring Forests Lost to Wildfires

Wildfires have reshaped Arizona’s forest landscape over the last two decades. Two of the most devastating—the 2010 Schultz Fire near Flagstaff and the 2011 Wallow Fire in the White Mountains—left behind tens of thousands of acres of damaged forest. But from the ashes, a story of healing is taking root.

At A Living Tribute, we’re proud to support tree planting efforts that restore these burned areas, stabilize ecosystems, and bring native forests back to life.

Schultz Fire: Community-Led Reforestation

The Schultz Fire burned more than 15,000 acres of Coconino National Forest. What followed was just as tragic—flooding, erosion, and loss of life due to unstable, fire-damaged soil.

In response, local volunteers and reforestation organizations like the National Forest Foundation began a long-term restoration effort. Since 2013, over 370,000 native trees have been planted across nearly 3,000 acres, helping reduce runoff, restore habitats, and protect Flagstaff’s watershed.

Wallow Fire: Arizona’s Largest Wildfire

The Wallow Fire consumed over 538,000 acres, mostly in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, making it the largest wildfire in Arizona’s history. Thousands of acres of high-elevation forest were lost—home to species like the endangered Apache trout and Mexican spotted owl.

Recovery efforts continue more than a decade later:

• In 2021, 63,500 trees were planted near Conklin Ridge.

• In 2019, nearly 62,000 seedlings helped reforest the upper Black River watershed.

• Community volunteers planted thousands more in local post-fire reforestation campaigns.

🌲 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests: Slim Fire Reforestation

In eastern Arizona, 269 acres damaged by the 2017 Slim Fire are being restored. Crews are planting 80–300 ponderosa pine seedlings per acre, along with Douglas-fir in canyon areas to encourage forest diversity. These trees will help recover high-elevation habitat and reduce erosion across this fire-impacted landscape.

🌲 Coronado National Forest: Restoring Mount Lemmon

Following the 2020 Bighorn Fire near Tucson, reforestation began on Mount Lemmon, where intense heat damaged thousands of acres of ponderosa pine habitat. The Forest Service is now planting 43,000 seedlings across 121 acres, using seeds collected from the local forest to ensure ecological resilience and healthy regrowth.

🌲 Carson National Forest: Osha Fire Recovery

In northern New Mexico’s Carson National Forest, crews are hand-planting ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir seedlings across 255 acres burned in the 2011 Osha Fire. Focused on the most severely burned slopes, this project helps restore native forest structure and reduce long-term erosion risks.

🌲 Tonto National Forest: Telegraph Fire Restoration

Near Globe, Arizona, the 2021 Telegraph Fire burned a large portion of ponderosa pine forest and critical wildlife habitat. A new five-year reforestation project is underway to replant 551 acres, restore habitat for the Mexican spotted owl, and support cultural and ecological restoration goals identified by the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

🌲 Kaibab National Forest: Boundary Fire Reforestation

The 2017 Boundary Fire, ignited by lightning, burned nearly 17,800 acres of ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forest across the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests near Flagstaff.

Reforestation efforts have focused on the most severely burned areas, where tree mortality was highest. Forest crews and conservation partners are planting ponderosa pine seedlings across targeted zones while supporting natural regeneration in less affected areas. These efforts help restore forest structure, reduce erosion, and promote healthy habitat for native wildlife.

Help Restore Forests with Memorial Trees

From Flagstaff to the White Mountains and beyond, ponderosa pine trees are being planted across fire-impacted landscapes to restore what was lost.

When you plant a tree through A Living Tribute, your gift directly supports projects like these—rebuilding forests, protecting wildlife, and healing the land for generations to come.