Cool January weather is the best time to clean up desert vegetation surrounding the Verde Communities with an eye toward the hot summer and increased fire danger.

The good news for this year’s volunteer crew is that the summer was dry, so the vegetation has not grown as much as in some previous years. The bad news is the increased fire risk and many plants have died, so the dead vegetation needs to be cleared from the community borders to help reduce the risk of wildfire.

Border clearing began earlier this month with volunteers working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday starting around 7:30 a.m. and working a few hours each day.

Crews began the cleanup at the Verde Trailhead into McDowell Mountain Regional Park off Palo Fiero Drive and are working south toward McDowell Mountain Road along the western Rio Verde border.

Those interested in helping with the project can contact volunteer coordinator, Diane Newcomb at dnewcomb1957@cox.net or 856-498-4160 to be included in the volunteer emails, where information on start times and locations is provided. Volunteers participating should be aware that gloves, loppers and shovels are in high demand, and they should bring their own if they have them.