Summary

Silver City is notable because it has not faced a wildfire in the wildland urban interface but has taken action to deal with the threat of wildfire. The National Fire Plan Implementation Team is a multi-agency group that addresses the wildfire threat in Silver City. They focus on developing strategies and projects that address fire planning, forest restoration, fuels reduction, public outreach and economic development. Silver City stands out due to its forest restoration efforts. The Mill Site Project is a 1,400 acre demonstration site that allows environmentalists and the US Forest Service to work together and develop different prescriptions for forest restoration projects. Silver City also has been especially active in addressing utilization issues. Gila WoodNet is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to finding new and innovative uses for forest restoration by-products.

Utilization and funding issues are the principal challenges for Silver City. Gila WoodNet and Santa Clara Woodworks are the primary utilizers for forest byproducts. However, small diameter timber from USFS projects is subsidized with a Collaborative Forest Restoration Program grant. Lack of a larger fuels treatment budget on the USFS Silver City District prohibits the treatment of a greater number of acres.

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