JUNE 10, 2015
Fire Restrictions begin on Tonto National Forest, Friday, June 5
Target shooting is prohibited while fire restrictions are in place; fireworks and explosives are prohibited year-round
PHOENIX – Drought conditions, hot temperatures, and increased fire danger have resulted in fire restrictions for the Tonto National Forest beginning at 8 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2015.
Most types of fire or fire-causing activities are prohibited across the entire Tonto National Forest.
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device is prohibited outside of metal fire rings and metal pedestal grills provided by the Forest Service in developed recreation sites (see attached list). The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices are allowed.
Restrictions also apply to operating internal combustion power tools, using welding equipment or torches with open flames, operating combustion engines without spark-arresting devices in effective working order and meeting either USDA or SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards.
Discharging a firearm except for taking game in accordance with Arizona hunting laws.
Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or a developed recreation site. Please deposit the remains an ashtray or inside a building. Do not toss or discard on the ground.
“As temperatures reach the 100 degree mark, the abundant grass crop the desert received because of winter rains dry out raising the fire danger to high” said Acting Tonto National Forest Fire Staff Bill Crolly. “These precautionary measures help prevent human-caused wildfires, preventing unnecessary exposure to firefighters.”
“We are reminding the public that fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited on the Forest,” emphasized Crolly.
Violation of these fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.
For more information regarding forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, please contact the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200, or check online at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
For general information on fire activity and restrictions in Arizona call toll free 877-864-6985, or visit the. Southwest Coordination Center website: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc or http://firerestrictions.us/az
Useful Websites:
Fire Preventions and Restrictions: www.azfireinfo.com
Arizona Fire Restrictions: http://firerestrictions.us/az
Arizona Emergency Information Network (for ALL hazard emergency and disaster information): www.azein.gov
National Incident Information System www.inciweb.org
Southwest Coordination Center: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc
National Interagency Fire Center: www.nifc.gov
National Fire Plan: www.forestsandrangelands.gov
Firewise: www.firewise.org
Fire Restriction Information: Toll free 1 (877) 864-6985
Campfires are allowed in metal fire rings and metal pedestal grills provided by the Forest Service in the following developed recreation sites:
Cave Creek Ranger District
Bartlett Lake Recreation Area
Bartlett Lake Marina
Rattlesnake Cove
SB Cove parking lot ramadas with metal charcoal pedestals
Yellow Cliffs parking lot ramadas with metal charcoal pedestals
Lower Verde Recreation Area
Needle Rock Day Use Picnic Area
Globe Ranger District
Pioneer Pass, in the Pinal Mtns
Sulphide Del Ray, in the Pinal Mtns
Kellner, in the Pinal Mtns
Icehouse CCC Day Use Area
Lower Pinal, in the Pinal Mtns
Upper Pinal, in the Pinal Mtns
Jones Water, off AZ Hwy 77 north of Globe
Oak Flat, off AZ Hwy 60 east of Superior
Timber Camp
Timber Camp Horse Camp
Mesa Ranger District
Saguaro Del Norte
Butcher Jones
Acacia
Boulder
Laguna
Palo Verde
Granite Reef
Phon D. Sutton
Coons Bluff
Saguaro Lake Marina
Canyon Lake Marina
Pebble Beach
Blue Point
Sheep’s Crossing
Water Users
Larry Forbis Group Site
Payson Ranger District
Houston Mesa Campground
Houston Mesa Horse Camp
Ponderosa Campground
Christopher Creek Campground
Payson Ranger District (Cont’d)
Sharp Creek Campground
Tonto Creek Campground
Tonto Creek Walk-In
Pleasant Valley Ranger District
Haigler Creek Campground
Tonto Basin Ranger District
Apache Lake Marina
Vineyard Picnic Site
Frazier Campground
Frazier Group Site
Windy Hill Campground
Cholla Campground
Grapevine Campground
Cottonwood Picnic Site
Schoolhouse Campground
Burnt Corral Campground
