Fire restrictions begin June 11 on Tonto NF

PHOENIX (June 7, 2010) – 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 11. The forest will prohibit most types of fire or fire-causing activities across the entire Tonto National Forest.

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device is prohibited. Restrictions also apply to smoking outside of a cleared area, operating internal combustion power tools, using welding equipment or torches with open flames, operating combustion engines without spark- arresting devices in effective working order, or discharging firearms except in taking game in accordance with Arizona hunting laws.

Use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices are allowed, and some developed campgrounds are also exempted from these restrictions. (Please see attached list).

“Because of ongoing drought and dry forest conditions, fire restrictions are needed to protect forest users, structures and natural resources from the increased potential for dangerous wildland fires,” said Tonto National Forest Fire Staff Officer Clay Templin. “These precautionary measures are intended to enhance our visitors’ quality recreation experiences. Most areas of the Tonto National Forest remain available for recreation activity, including all the Salt River system lakes.”

Violation of these restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.

Fireworks are prohibited on the forest at all times.

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.fed.us/r3/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://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php

Fire Restriction Information: Toll free 1 (877) 864-6985

Useful Websites:
National Incident Information Center: www.fs.fed.us/news/fire
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.fireplan.gov
FireWise: www.firewise.org

Useful ARIZONA Websites:
www.azfireinfo.com (fire prevention and restrictions)
www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php (fire restrictions and other public lands information)
www.azstatefire.org (wildfire information and Firewise)
www.azein.gov (Arizona Emergency Information Network for ALL hazard emergency and
disaster information)

Campfires are allowed in fire grills and grates provided by the Forest Service in the following developed recreation sites:

Cave Creek Ranger District
Bartlett Lake Recreation Area
Bartlett Lake Marina
Rattlesnake Cove
Rattlesnake Group
S B Cove
Yellow Cliffs
Lower Verde Recreation Area
Riverside Campground
Needle Rock Campground
Seven Springs Recreation Area
CCC Campground
Seven Springs Picnic Area
Cave Creek Group Site
Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area
Horseshoe Lake Campground
Mesquite Campground

Globe Ranger District
Pioneer Pass, in the Pinal Mtns
Sulphide Del Ray, in the Pinal Mtns
Kellner, in the Pinal Mtns
Ice House CCC, in the Pinal Mtns
Pinal, in the Pinal Mtns
Upper Pinal, in the Pinal Mtns
Warnica Group Site in the Pinal Mtns
Jones Water, off AZ Hwy 77 north of Globe
Oak Flat, off AZ Hwy 60 east of Superior
Timber Camp

Mesa Ranger District
Saguaro Lake Marina
Saguaro Del Norte
Butcher Jones
Canyon Lake Marina
Acacia
Boulder
Laguna
Palo Verde
Granite Reef
Phon D Sutton
Coons Bluff
Goldfield
Pebble Beach
Blue Point
Sheep’s Crossing
Water Users
Larry Forbis Group Site
Pobrecito Boat Staging Area

Payson Ranger District
Houston Mesa Campground
Houston Mesa Horse Camp
Ponderosa Campground
Sharp Creek Campground
Upper Tonto Creek Campground
Christopher Creek Campground

Pleasant Valley Ranger District
Falls Campground
Reynolds Creek Group Site
Rose Creek Campground
Alderwood Campground
Sawmill Flats Campground
Haigler Canyon Campground
Colcord Ridge Campground
Airplane Flats Campground
Upper Canyon Campground
Valentine Ridge Campground

Tonto Basin Ranger District
Diversion Dam Picnic Site
Vineyard
Frazier
Windy Hill
Cholla
Grapevine
Cottonwood
Schoolhouse Campground
Indian Point Campground
Burnt Corral