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Current Tonto National Forest Fire Information
Fire Information
Learn what closures, alerts and fire restrictions may be in effect for the Tonto National Forest.
Be Responsible With Your Campfire
- Find a level spot away from overhanging branches, brush, or dry grass.
- Keep away from the base of a hill.
- Escaped fires travel uphill fast.
- With a shovel, clear a circle 10 feet wide down to bare dirt.
- Hollow out a fire pit 6 inches deep and 2 feet across at the center of the cleared circle.
- Pile the dirt around the fire pit.
- Keep your fire small.
- Use existing fire rings where available to reduce the number of disturbed areas and damage to soil cover and vegetation.
- Duff is the layer of decomposing wood material that lies on the forest floor between pine needles and bare dirt.
- Many times it may look like dirt, but it isn't.
- Duff burns, dirt doesn't.
- It allows even the smallest ember to smolder for days, most times underground and unnoticed, until enough heat is built up to produce flames.
- Don't let the duff fool you.
- Never leave your campfire unattended, even for a few minutes or if you take a nap.
- Weenies, marshmallows and ghost stories all go better with a small manageable fire.
- Large, 3-foot or higher bonfires are not appropriate, practical, or smart in the forest.
- Drown your campfire at least 30 minutes before you break camp and before you go to bed each night.
- Never allow your campfire to burn down on its own.
- Use your shovel to separate the burning pieces of wood in the fire pit and make sure they are soaked with water.
- Stir and mix water with the ashes until the fire is out.
- Don't try to bury the fire under dirt, it can smolder for hours and then escape.
- Charcoal briquettes should be extinguished by dumping into a pail of water, mixing thoroughly, and then place into the fire pit.
Feel the ashes to be sure the fire is out. Before you leave the campsite, check the area within 50 feet of the fire for sparks or embers that may have escaped.
You will be held liable for the cost of suppression and damages caused by any wildfire that starts through negligence on your part.
Obtain your campfire permit, bring your shovel, and a pail for water. In areas where there is not a source for water, carry in extra water if you plan to have a campfire.
Fire Restrictions Explained
Fire Restrictions help land management agencies reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high or extreme fire danger. Fire restrictions often change quickly due to variable weather conditions
Fire Restrictions come in different stages and become more prohibitive with each stage. Most forests begin by implementing a Stage I Restriction. If conditions worsen, Stage II is implemented. There is no "Stage III" when conditions worsen further. Instead, a forest closure is usually the next step, in which case the public is not allowed to enter the boundaries of the national forest due to the fire danger.
Violators of fire restrictions are subject to fines and/or imprisonment. It's your responsibility to know before you go!
- Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(m).
Exemptions
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from the provisions in this Order:
- Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.
- Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
- Persons engaged in legal hunting activity pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations are allowed to discharge a firearm while taking wildlife.
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal, coal, and briquettes. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
- Welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(i).
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(m).
- Operating a chainsaw or other equipment operated by an internal combustion engine. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(h), (j).
Exemptions
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from the provisions in this Order:
- Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
- Persons using a device solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or pressurized liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device.
- Persons operating generators with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the generator.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of official duty.
- Persons engaged in legal hunting activity pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations are allowed to discharge a firearm while taking wildlife.
Fire Danger Levels Explained
We use 5 different color-coded levels to help the public understand fire potential. The purpose of this is for visitors to understand the current conditions and help mitigate their actions to prevent human-caused wildfires.
When the fire danger is Low, which is represented by the color green, it means that fuels do not ignite easily from small embers, but a more intense heat source, such as lightning, may start fires in duff or dry rotten wood. Fires in open, dry grasslands may burn easily a few hours after a rain, but most wood fires will spread slowly, creeping or smoldering. Control of fires is generally easy.
When the fire danger is Moderate, which is represented by the color blue, it means that fires can start from most accidental causes, but the number of fire starts is usually pretty low. If a fire does start in an open, dry grassland, it will burn and spread quickly on windy days. Most wood fires will spread slowly to moderately. Average fire intensity will be moderate except in heavy concentrations of fuel, which may burn hot. Fires are still not likely to become serious and are often easy to control.
When the fire danger is High, which is represented by the color yellow, fires can start easily from most causes, and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape. Fires will spread easily, with some areas of high-intensity burning on slopes or concentrated fuels. Fires can become serious and difficult to control unless they are put out while they are still small.
When the fire danger is Very High, which is represented by the color orange, fires will start easily from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and have a quick increase in intensity, right after ignition. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity, such as long-distance spotting and fire whirls. These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires.
When the fire danger is Extreme, which is represented by the color read, fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely. All fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning. Small fires become big fires much faster than at the Very High level. Spot fires are probable, with long-distance spotting likely. These fires are very difficult to fight and may become very dangerous and often last for several days or weeks
Alerts & Warnings
- Pine Canyon Restoration Project Area and Trails Temporary Closure Order
- 03-12-02-24-67 Globe Forest Road 287 Area Closure Order
- 03-12-04-24-61_East Webber Geronimo Trails_Public Safety Closure
- 03-12-03-24-47_Boulder Fishing Pier Temporary Closure
- Equestrian Users Please Be Aware
- 03-12-06-24-27 Tonto Creek Crossing Road Closures
- 03-12-02-25-01 Pinto Valley Mine Blasting Closure
- 03-12-03-24-64 Bald Eagle Closure Box Bar Order
- 12-16-5R Roosevelt Lake Seasonal Wildlife Closure
- 03-12-00-23-36 Target Type Restrictions Order
- Bald Eagle Seasonal Closures
- Occupancy and Use Restrictions
- Update on State Route 88 (Apache Trail) - August 18, 2021
- Redmond Fire Road Closure