The area is currently characterized as a condition class IV and V and would continue to depart from historic levels with each missed fire return interval. Without treatment in the other proposed areas, this fire group would be at risk to a high intensity stand replacing fire situation, due to fire spreading from adjacent vegetation types. Current fuel configurations are prone to high intensity stand replacement fires. Fires of this nature are difficult to control and costly to suppress. Fuel conditions within the project area would likely result in uncharacteristically large and severe fires. Within the meadows and chained areas, mature sagebrush (Artemesia spp.), patches of mature mountain brush (Cercocarpus spp.) and encroachment of phase one P-J create uncharacteristically large areas of continuous fuels that are not limited by species diversity and mixed age classes. Presence of invasive cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) contributes to the continuous fuel loading, flammability, and potential for increased rate of fire spread. Existing vegetative treatments (historic chainings) are not adequate to slow or safely suppress an approaching wildfire due to their present width and configuration. Few fuel reduction treatments have been implemented within the WUI values zone or project area. Continuous dense vegetation could lead to high intensity large scale fires and increase risk to suppression forces and adjacent landowners. Existing conditions limit fire management decision space and options related to initial attack. In addition, there is a large population of mature vegetation in the existing vegetation treatments. The presence of ninety degree angles along the boundary between Forest Service administered lands and private lands has historically been shown to reduce the success of fire suppression actions from within the defensible fire space area (USDA 2010). Pinto road, the main egress route for several rural communities within the Pinto vicinity, may be compromised in the event of wildfire and not provide safe passage for residents and firefighters. Pinyon-juniper control thinning and removal treatments will change from a Fuel Model 6 (Shrub) to a Grass Shrub 2 (GS2) (Scott and Burgan 2005). GS2 is a Moderate Load Dry Climate Grass Shrub model with the main fire carrier being grass and shrubs 1-3 feet in height. This change in fuel type has a dramatic change in rates of spread (ROS) and Flame Length (Breshears and others) which allows for fire management personnel to provide better suppression response. Values at risk from a wildfire include homes and structures in Page Ranch and the town of Pinto (including water supplies and utilities), water quality and irrigation in Pinto Creek, including compliance with the Newcastle Reservoir TMDL, the ability to run livestock on the East Pinto allotment, the quality of fishing in Newcastle Reservoir, and a large amount of substantial mule deer summer and winter range.

The Pinto Watershed and Defensible Fire Space Restoration project was scoped on March 3, 2017. Two comment letters were received, one from Iron County and one from a private landowner. The comment from Iron County was supportive and requested management of Wild Horses, which is outside the scope of the Pinto project. The letter from the landowner addressed concerns with increase OHV traffic upon implementation of the project. The District Ranger and IDT members met personally with the commenter to resolve these concerns. The EA and draft Decision for Pinto was put out for Objections for 45 days. No objections were received. Concurrence with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was completed on April 3, 2018.