Management of the federally threatened Mexican spotted owl (MSO; Strix occidentalis lucida) has been a major concern, both technical and political, for forest managers in the southwestern United States. So has the need to reduce the risk of stand-replacing wildfire in the regions ponderosa pine forests.Managers have generally shied away from linking these two concerns, fearing that the consultation required under the federal Endangered Species Act makes forest restoration treatments in or adjacent to MSO habitat too cumbersome. Yet carefully planned and implemented restoration treatments either around or in MSO habitat are crucial to the species future survival, and can be accomplished. They can be designed to maximize benefits to forest health while minimizing negative impacts toand in some cases actively benefitingthe MSO and/or its habitat. There will never be 100 percent agreement between reducing fire risk and maintaining or enhancing MSO habitat needs, but the goal of this public...