03-12-03-24-50 Siphon Fire Trails Closure Order

Forest Order: 03-12-03-24-50 Siphon Fire Trails Closure Order

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, motorized and non-motorized trails in the Mesa Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
2. Being on Described Road 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
3. Being on Described Trail 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 resource in the performance of an official duty.
3. Employees and contractors of the Salt River Project performing approved facilities operation, maintenance and resource survey work coordinated through the Salt River Project’s Fire Management Officer.

DESCRIBED AREA
The Described Area consists of all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Boundary starting at the intersection of the National Forest System Road (NFSR) 78 and State Route (SR) 88, then following generally north and east along the east and south side of SR 88 approximately 9.5 miles to the intersection with Trail 103 Boulder, then following southeast along the northwest side of Trail 103 Boulder approximately 5.5 miles to the intersection with Trail 239 Cavalry, then following generally southeast along the northeast side of Trail 239 Cavalry approximately 3.25 miles to the intersection with Trail 104 Dutchman’s, then following generally southeast along the northwest side of Trail 104 Dutchman’s approximately 4.75 miles to the intersection with Trail 235 Bluff Spring, then following west and south along the south and east side of Trail 235 Bluff Spring approximately 3.5 miles to the intersection with the Superstition Wilderness boundary near Peralta Trailhead, then following generally west and north along the Superstition Wilderness boundary approximately 14.5 miles to the intersection with NFSR 78 near First Water Trailhead, then following generally southwest along the southeast side of NFSR 78 approximately 2.75 miles back to the point of beginning at the intersection with SR 88.

Note:
Parts of Canyon Lake that are closed include the cove at the end of La Barge Creek south of the Highway 88 Bridge, and at the end of First Water Creek SW of the Highway 88 Bridge.

Routes along the boundary and in the area that are closed include NFSR 78, NSFR 1820, NSFR 1818, NSFR 1820A, NSFR 1891, MT-Trail 1816, MT-Trail 1816A, Trail 102 Peralta, Trail 103 Boulder, Trail 239 Cavalry, Trail 104 Dutchman’s, Trail 235 Bluff Spring, Trail 234 Terrapin, Trail 129 Bull Pass, Trail, 236 Second Water, Trail 241 Black Mesa.

Recreation areas that are closed include First Water Trailhead, Crosscut Trailhead, and Boulder Picnic Day Use Area.

Recreation areas that remain open are State Route 88, Needle Vista, Canyon Lake Vista, Canyon Lake Marina and associated shoreline recreation areas north of Highway 88, and Tortilla Flats. Peralta Trailhead will be open and any trails leading east from the trailhead not mentioned above.

PURPOSE
To provide for public health and safety due to increased flash flood potential, and to allow for natural resource protection and burn area recovery, within the uncontrolled Siphon Fire on the Tonto National Forest.

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from September 19, 2024, at 6 a.m. through October 20, 2024, at 6 p.m., unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
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 Mesa Ranger District in Mesa, AZ, (480) 610-3300, and Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix, AZ, (602) 225-5200, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes 03-12-03-24-49, dated September 16, 2024, and any previous Order prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area.

Order and Map