Area closures in effect for Coconino NF

Release Date: May 22, 2018

Contact(s): Flagstaff Ranger District: 928-526-0866, Mogollon Rim Ranger District: 928-477-2255, Red Rock Ranger District: 928-203-2900

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., May 22, 2018, For Immediate Release – Coconino National Forest will temporarily close six large areas to public access beginning May 23 at 8 a.m. due to fire danger and for public safety. All areas of the national forest outside of the closures remain in Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. These closures and restrictions will remain in place until the national forest receives significant precipitation.

The following areas will be closed (click links for map view):

Flagstaff Ranger District

• San Francisco Peaks/Mt. Elden closure area map   (Closure Order)
• Pumphouse Wash/Kelly Canyon closure area map   (Closure Order)
• Fisher Point/Walnut Canyon closure area map  (Closure Order)
• Mormon Mountain closure area map  (Closure Order)

Mogollon Rim Ranger District

• Mogollon Rim closure area map south of state Routes 260 and 87  (Closure Order)

Red Rock Ranger District

• Mogollon Rim closure area map south of state Route 260  (Closure Order)

For details and maps of these specific closure areas and the boundaries, please click on the links above, which will take you to the map of that area. You can also view the official Forest Closure Orders by clicking on the Closure Order links above for each respective area.

If you would like a GPS map that you can use on your phone which shows your location in relation to the closure areas, please go to the app store on your device/phone and follow these directions:

1. Download the free Avenza Maps app
2. After you have downloaded the app, open it and touch "My Maps"
3. Next, touch the "+" sign to add a map (on Samsung phones, you must next touch "Download or import a map" before going to the next step)
4. Then touch the symbol that resembles a QR code reader (on iPhones it's in the upper right corner and looks like 3 squares with an X mark)
5. Point your device/phone camera to the following images (one at a time) to download each map (north and south halves of the Coconino NF)

Some forest roads that are used as boundaries of the closure areas are closed to public access and will have barricades or a gate swung across it. Do not enter these roads and areas or go around barricades or gates.

There may be some who have not yet been contacted in these large closure areas before gates are closed and locked. People who get locked behind gates must call the ranger station of the district in which they are located to get help exiting the area:

• Flagstaff Ranger Station: (928) 526-0866 (8 a.m.-4 p.m., press 0 to reach a representative)
• Mogollon Rim Ranger Station: (928) 477-2255 (8 a.m.-4 p.m.)
• Red Rock Ranger Station: (928) 203-2900 (8 a.m.-4 p.m., press 0 to reach a representative)
• If after business hours, please contact the Forest Service Dispatch Center at (928) 527-3552.

Forest and district leadership carefully decide which areas meet specific criteria for closure, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Fire danger: Areas where the moisture content level is extremely low, as indicated by the Energy Release Component.
• Vulnerability: Areas that are most vulnerable to fire suppression efforts due to inaccessibility, limited resources, and are difficult to evacuate people quickly and safely.
• Values at risk from wildfire: Values such as life, private property, communities, critical watersheds, trailheads, campgrounds, utility corridors, and critical infrastructure, etc.
• Topography: Areas with steep slopes and canyons that are difficult to access and effectively suppress wildfires, which often align with traditional wind directions.
• Cohesiveness with neighboring national forests: The Coconino NF borders several other national forests, which have implemented closure areas that abut the boundary of the Coconino NF. We try to be consistent in areas across boundaries to reduce confusion.

Closures and fire restrictions will be lifted when sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the risk of wildfire, and hot, dry weather conditions are not forecast to continue. A closure across the entire national forest may be implemented in the future if dry and hot conditions persist without precipitation.

Violating closures and fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.

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