Our bosses at the Arizona Department of Transportation are partnering with other organizations to help clear areas scorched by the devastating Wallow Fire in 2011.

ADOT, the State Forestry Division and the Eastern Arizona Counties Organization are launching the Healthy Forest Initiative, which eases weight restrictions for trucks on several state roads in the White Mountains. The increased weight limits "will allow the timber industry to more effectively manage the forest recovery efforts by carrying heavier loads," ADOT said in a statement.

The affected roads are U.S. routes 60 and 180 and state routes 77, 260 and 277. On portions of those roads in the White Mountains, the truck weight limit has been increased to 90,800 pounds, up from the previous 80,000 pounds. Timber haulers can take advantage of the increased limit by obtaining a 30-day, $75-per-vehicle permit.

ADOT said it performed an extensive analysis of the roads' pavement and bridges to ensure they could handle heavier trucks. The trucks will take wood to sawmills, pellet plants and other facilities in White Mountains towns such as Eagar, Springerville, Show Low and Snowflake.

“This collaborative effort will be a major economic boost to the Eastern Arizona economy, help to reduce the chances of devastating forest fires that have occurred in recent years, and protect our watershed and environment,” ADOT Director John Halikowski said in the statement.

The Wallow Fire, started by an improperly managed campfire, burned more than a half-million acres, making it the largest wildfire in Arizona's history.

Photo: Wallow Fire damage near Alpine | Tedra Begay