Memo: What the Roadless Rule repeal means for wildland firefighting in Arizona and more

Despite overwhelming public opposition, the Trump administration is moving to rescind the 25-year-old Roadless Area Conservation Rule, a bedrock policy that safeguards some of America’s last intact forested backcountry. Meanwhile, the Senate Energy Committee is considering a measure that would codify that expected rescission into law.  

Altogether, this move could have extraordinary consequences for Arizona — ending protections for 1.17 million acres of public lands in Arizona, including areas within the Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Coronado, Kaibab, Prescott and Tonto national forests.  

A majority of Americans support the Roadless Area Conservation Rule — with 87% of voters, across the political spectrum, supporting keeping national forests and roadless areas intact. Rolling back this popular rule will jeopardize fire management, recreation access, and clean air and water.  

More roads mean more fires 

A Wilderness Society study found fires are nearly seven times more likely to start near a road in Arizona than in roadless forests. The United States Forest Service’s (USFS) own research shows that 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by people. At the same time, the agency faces a multi-billion-dollar backlog of deferred maintenance on its existing road system. Repealing the Rule may cause more roads to be constructed—increasing ignition risk and complicating suppression efforts in already fire-prone landscapes—instead of prioritizing the maintenance of existing infrastructure.  

On top of this, the administration has cut roughly 15% of USFS staff, including many with fire expertise, and launched a risky consolidation of firefighters. Altogether, this raises concerns about long-term wildland fire readiness in Arizona.  

More roads jeopardize recreation  

The public lands where Arizonans hunt, fish, hike and camp will be less wild and more developed following the end of the conservation protections that come with the Roadless Rule.  

• Roadless areas across the National Forest System support millions of annual recreational visits and strengthen local economies. Coconino National Forest sees 5.5 million visits annually, contributing to Arizona’s $15.3 billion outdoor recreation economy.  
• Arizona national forests that contain roadless areas are central to hunters and anglers, and are documented as important big-game and fish habitats. 
• Roadless areas provide quieter, less fragmented recreational experiences that are valuable for backcountry activities like backpacking, hiking and wildlife viewing.  

More roads jeopardize clean air and water 

Roadless areas play a critical role in protecting clean drinking water supply and watersheds in Arizona. Intact forest watersheds in places like Coconino, Kaibab and Apache-Sitgreaves national forests are especially important for sustaining regional water supplies and ecological resilience in an increasingly dry climate.  

For media inquiries, contact Keri Gilliland at kgilliland@tws.org.