Horton Fire Emergency Closure Order

Horton Fire Emergency Closure Order - Rivision for Public Health and Safety

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails in the Payson and Mogollon Ranger Districts, Tonto and Coconino National Forests, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area, Roads, and Trails”):

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)
2. Being on the road within the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
3. Being on the trail within the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Arizona Dept. of Fire and Forestry Management contractor Suarez Forestry and Canyon Creek Logging to operate on and around Forest Road 64.
4. Residents, owners, lessees, and servicers of private property for the Tonto Rim Christian Camp, Tonto Creek Estates, Zane Grey Private Property, and Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery, being on NFS Road 289 for the purposes of ingress and egress to and from their properties.

DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, and TRAILS

The Described Area consists of all National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails within the boundary starting at the intersection of the State Route (SR)-260 and NFS Road 289, then following north along NFS Road 289 for approximately 3.85 miles to the junction with Tonto Creek near Hatchery Trailhead, then following north along Tonto Creek for approximately 1.5 miles to the junction of the three National Forest Boundaries (Tonto, Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves), then following northeast along the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests boundaries for approximately 0.45 miles to the junction with NFS Road 300, then following generally southeast along the north side of NFS Road 300 for approximately 18 miles to the intersection with SR260 then following generally west along the north side of SR-260 approximately 13 miles back to the point of beginning at the intersection with NFS Road 289 and SR-260.

Routes along the Described Area boundary that are closed: NFS Road 289, NFS Road 208S, NFS Road 284, NFS Road 657, NFS Road 2654, NFS Road 9350, NFS Road 9354 and an approximate 18-mile portion of NFS Road 300 between the junction with the shared boundary of the Coconino and Apache Sitgreaves National Forests and the intersection with SR-260.

Routes that remain open: SR-260, NFS Road 300, west of the shared boundaries of the Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves NF, NFS Road 113 (Hunter Creek Drive) and Christopher Creek Loop Road (Providing access to Christopher Creek Subdivision, Mountain Meadow, See Canyon Summer Homes, and Hunter Creek).

Non-Motorized Trails that are closed within the boundary: Trail 31 Highline (Tonto Fish Hatchery to HWY 260 TH), Trail 32 Derrick Spur, Trail 33 Derrick, Trail 184 See Canyon, Trail 185 See Spring, Trail 285 Horton Creek, Trail 292 Horton Spring, Trail 411 Aspen, Trail 412 Carr Lake, Trial 140 General George Cook Trail (from Coconino and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest boundaries to HWY 260).

Recreation Sites that are closed: Lower and Upper Tonto Creek Campgrounds, Horton Creek Day Use Area, Hatchery Trailhead, Horton Trailhead, See Canyon Trailhead, Carr Lake Trailhead, Rim Campground, Rim Lakes Vista Overlook, Mogollon Trailhead, Mogollon Campground, Woods Canyon Overlook, Military Sink Hole Trailhead and Two Sixty Trailhead.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the uncontrolled Horton Fire on the Tonto and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from December 30, 2024, at 5:00pm through May 30, 2025, at 06:00pm, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, and Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. 
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Payson Ranger District in Payson, AZ, (928) 474-7900, and Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix, AZ, (602) 225-5200, or the Black Mesa Ranger District in Overgaard, AZ, (928) 535-7300, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Springerville, AZ, (928) 333-6280 for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes Order 03-12-00-24-71, implemented on December 18, 2024.

Signed and issued on December 30, 2024.

Horton Fire Emergency Closure Order – Revision for Public Health & Safety [PDF 136 KB]

Horton Fire Public Safety Closure Map [PDF 5.9 MB]