PHOENIX …The City of Phoenix tells us they are monitoring the Aleppo Pine blight, which they say they are seeing Valley-wide, and is not restricted to city parks. They’re now working with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management to figure out what’s causing it. …”Those 120-plus-degree temperatures contributed to a lot of what you’re seeing with this dieback,” Owens said. The State Forestry Department said they’re also looking at several factors, including water stress, insects and air quality. They are creating a task force and inviting members of each municipality to take part, to preserve our urban forestry.