Ideal winter conditions have allowed Division of Forestry & Fire Protection’s fuels reduction program in Alaska to remain very active. Removing fuels with machines, typically referred to as mechanical or mechanized treatment, is often performed in the winter months by contractors. The snow cover and frozen ground is more supportive of the typical heavy mastication equipment contractors use. When conditions are ideal, vegetation is protected and the compaction of the soil and the residual trees root systems is minimized. To ensure that the project remained in compliance with appropriate permits, the snow and frost depths in the target work areas were monitored by project managers and the private contractor. With the urgency to complete fuel breaks before this summer’s wildfire season, the contractor took advantage of ongoing favorable conditions.