In a step towards safeguarding communities and bolstering the health of Arizona's landscapes, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) has kicked off a fuels reduction endeavor in the vicinity of Arivaca. Termed the Yellow Jacket project, the initiative, starting this past Monday, focuses on mitigating wildfire risks and promoting ecological integrity across 61 acres in the Altar Valley. Under this project, specialists will undertake hand thinning operations, creating shaded fuel breaks aimed at minimizing wildfire spread by removing ground-level fuels and trimming lower tree branches, especially around Ruby Road and north of Arivaca. In shaping these fuel breaks, DFFM Foresters have employed input from the agency's Fire Division to ensure that the placement significantly lowers the potential for catastrophic fires impacting local communities. Motorists navigating Ruby Road should proceed with caution due to the ongoing operations.