Tonto National Forest Closures Lifted, Fire Restrictions Continue Effective Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Release Date: Jul 10, 2018
PHOENIX, July 10, 2018—For Immediate Release. The onset of monsoon activity has raised humidity levels across the Tonto National Forest, allowing the Forest Service to lift the two fire area closures, and reduce Forest-wide fire restrictions, effective at 8:00 am on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
While the relative humidity has increased, the Tonto National Forest has received differing amounts of rainfall. Firefighters have been busy with several small lightning fires caused by these monsoon storms. The public is asked to continue being diligent by abiding by the Stage I Fire Restrictions, which will remain in effect across the Tonto National Forest until the entire Forest receives widespread rain.
Under Stage I Fire Restrictions, wood and charcoal campfires will be permitted in metal rings and pedestal grills provided by the Forest Service at the following recreation sites:
Cave Creek Ranger District
- Bartlett Lake Recreation Area
- Bartlett Lake Marina
- Rattlesnake Cove
- SB Cove parking lot Ramada’s with metal charcoal pedestal grills
- Yellow Cliff parking lot Ramadas with metal charcoal pedestal grills
- Seven Springs Recreation Area
- Springs Group Site
- CCC campground
- Lower Verde Recreation Area
- Needle Rock Day Use Picnic Area
Globe Ranger District
- Timber Camp Equestrian Group Site
- Timber Camp Campground - Brundrett #1 and Brundrett #2
- Jones Water Campground
- Oak Flat Campground
- Kellner Group Recreation Site
- Icehouse CCC Picnic Site
- Sulphide Del Rey Campground
- Pinal Campground
- Upper Pinal Campground
- Pioneer Pass Campground
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
Tonto Basin Ranger District
- Apache Lake Marina
- Vineyard Picnic Site
- Frazier Group Site
- Frazier Campground
- Windy Hill Campground
- Cholla Campground
- Grapevine Campground
- Cottonwood Picnic Site
- Schoolhouse Campground
- Burnt Corral Campground
Outside of these sites the following fire restrictions remain in effect:
- The use of gasoline and propane stoves, lanterns, and heating devices must be used in areas not listed above. This includes all campgrounds on the Tonto National Forest around Payson and Young.
- Smoking remains restricted to an enclosed vehicle or building, or within developed recreation sites. Please discharge of cigarette in an ashtray or inside a building. Do not toss out a window or discard on the ground.
- The use of welding equipment, or operating an acetylene torch or other torch with an open flame remains prohibited.
- Discharging a firearm (target shooting) is still prohibited, except for taking game in accordance with Arizona hunting laws.
Fire restrictions were implemented in April, followed by area closures before Memorial Day weekend, to prevent large catastrophic wildfire with the extreme fire danger in central Arizona. Cooperation by the public has kept new human-caused fire starts to a minimum.
Visit the following websites for more information about:
- Fire Restrictions in Arizona firerestrictions.us/az/
- Fire Restrictions on the Tonto National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices
- Monsoon Awareness Tips https://www.ready.gov/floods
Alerts & Warnings
- Poco Pino Restoration Area 7 Temporary Closure Order 03-12-04-24-02
- Closure Order Lifted: National Forest System Road NFSR 487 (Workman Creek Road)
- Rattlesnake Cove Recreation Fishing Dock Closure 03-12-01-22-26
- Amended - Apache Lake Closure - Lower Burnt Corral Campground remains closed
- Bald Eagle Seasonal Closures
- Occupancy and Use Restrictions
- Update on State Route 88 (Apache Trail) - August 18, 2021
- Redmond Fire Road Closure