Approximately 5200 acres of pinyon-juniper areas were burned as part of the Sanford fire. Not surprising, more than half of this (2500 acres of pinyon-juniper and sagebrush) was scheduled as part of the Adam's Head and Sanford prescribed burns (which burned together to form the Sanford Fire).

According to West *(1998), with modern studies, biologists find that pinyon-juniper has seen a major expansion, and that "we are currently dealing with a vastly greater amount of juniper and pinyon-dominated lands than any humans have encountered over the last 5,000 years." Currently over 18 percent of the Great Basin is classified as pinyon-juniper woodlands *(West, 1998). These long-lived plants (pinyons for 500-800 years, junipers up to 2,000 years), have increased largely because of fire suppression, increased grazing of understory plants, and an
increase in organic fertilizers. The result is that, today, these dense, older stands are not only more subject to devastating crown fires, but also outcompete other plants for space and water. The resulting bare soils are highly erosive and account for much of the sediment transport within a watershed.

Today, biologists may choose to manage pinyon-juniper woodlands with prescribed fire, thinning, and/or by carefully utilizing a wildland fire. The outcome is a return to more desirable forage for livestock and big game, improved vegetative conditions, and a reduction of accumulated fuels.

*West, N.E. Tausch, R. J., Tueller, P.I.T. 1998. Management-oriented classification of pinyon-juniper woodlands of the Great Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service. RMRS GTR-12.

Removal of overstory plants will help maintain healthy plant and animal communities.