BY LINDA BENTLEY | MAY 11, 2011

Picket Fire 100 percent contained, cause unknown

Fire restrictions begin in Tonto National Forest

SUPERIOR – Firefighters had a brush fire that began on Mother’s Day, closing Highway 60 in both directions near the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior and Globe, 100 percent contained on Tuesday.

The fire, dubbed the “Picket Fire,” fueled by grass and Sonoran Desert brush, destroyed 1,336 acres and cost an estimated $220,000 to extinguish the fire.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and under investigation.

Fire restrictions for the Tonto National Forest begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11.
Most types of fire or fire-causing activities are prohibited across the entire Tonto National Forest, whereas building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device is prohibited.

Because of ongoing drought, dry forest conditions and exceptionally low relative humidity, restrictions also apply to smoking outside of a cleared area, operating internal combustion power tools, welding equipment or torches with open flames or discharging firearms except in taking game in accordance with Arizona hunting laws.

Fireworks are prohibited on the forest at all times.

A violation of fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.

Use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns and heating devices are allowed, while some developed campgrounds may be exempt from restrictions.

Contact the Tonto National Forest for more information at 602-225-5200 or visit fs.usda.gov/Tonto.

MAY 9, 2011

Fire restrictions on State Trust Lands

PHOENIX – Fire and smoking restrictions are being implemented by the State Forestry Division on State Trust Lands beginning Wednesday, May 11 at 12 p.m. noon and running through July 31 or until further notice. (Authority:  A.R.S § 37.623)

The restrictions have become necessary due to increased fire danger and are being implemented to prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public health and safety.

Contributing factors are weather conditions – high temperatures, low humidity and high wind; as well as the conditions of desert and forest landscapes statewide including dry brush and grasses.

The prohibition will apply to State Trust Lands statewide.

The restrictions are as follows:
• Building, maintaining or using a fire, campfire, or charcoal burning device is prohibited. (Petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are exempt from these restrictions.);
• Smoking is prohibited unless: it is within an enclosed vehicle, building, developed campground, or in an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials;
• Welding or operating acetylene or other torch device with an open flame is prohibited.

These restrictions apply to everyone with permits and leases issued by the State Land Department. State, Federal, and local fire and law enforcement officers as well as members of organized firefighting forces are exempt from these prohibitions while in the performance of official duties.

As always, fireworks are not allowed on State Trust Lands.

For fire restrictions on all jurisdictions statewide:  www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php.

Information and tips on wildfire safety and preparedness can be found at:  wildlandfire.az.gov/ Arizona Interagency Twitter:  twitter.com/#!/wildlandfireAZ 

For more information on State Trust Land, visit the State Land Department website:
www.land.state.az.us.

MAY 9, 2011

Phoenix Mountain, Desert Preserve 2011 fire ban to start
May 9

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department will ban open fires in city mountain and desert preserves* effective May 9, 2011.  In consultation with the Phoenix Fire Department, smoking and charcoal fires are included in the ban due to the extreme fire danger that the combination of low humidity, increasing temperatures and frequent high winds creates each spring. Additional information on the ban is available online at phoenix.gov/parks.

For those using the preserves, the fire ban stipulates the following:
• Open, wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in any part of the Phoenix mountain preserves.
• Smoking outside of enclosed vehicles will continue to be prohibited.
• Propane or gas grills may be used but only in established picnic areas.

Motorists traveling through or near Phoenix desert preserves should exercise extreme care with smoking materials and use only their vehicle’s ash trays to dispose of smoking materials.

To protect their homes, residents whose property borders the preserves may remove dry shrubs, brush and grasses and trim dead branches from trees within the ten-foot strip of preserve bordering their property. By creating this ten-foot “buffer zone,” residents can help to protect their
homes from brush fires in the adjacent preserve. For general information or for guidance before removing vegetation, residents can contact a Park Ranger by calling 602-495-5458 or by email at [email protected].

Preserve neighbors also should check irrigation lines and pool back-flush hoses to ensure that water is not seeping into the preserve. Outside water sources encourage unnaturally dense vegetation growth, which increases fire risk.

*The ban applies to Camelback Mountain; Papago Park; all areas of the Phoenix Mountains; South Mountain Park/Preserve; North Mountain and surrounding areas; the Sonoran Preserve; and the Deem Hills area. The fire ban does NOT apply to traditional city parks.