Lower Burnt Corral Recreation Area Closure

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 and road in the Tonto Basin Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, described in detail below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area and Road”):

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).

EXEMPTIONS

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

1. Persons with Forest Service form 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.

DESCRIBED AREA and ROAD

The Described Area consists of all National Forest System lands and road within the boundary starting at the junction of Burnt Corral Creek and NFS Road 183 located at reference point 33° 37.451' N x -111° 12.034' W, then following southwest along the south side of Burnt Corral Creek approximately 0.25 miles to reference point 33° 37.364' N x -111° 12.238' W, on the Apache Lake shoreline, then following north along the Apache Lake shoreline approximately 0.15 miles to the Apache Lake shoreline 75ft south of NFS Road 234, then following generally east approximately 0.20 miles, remaining 75ft south of NFS Road 234 to the junction with NFS Road 183 and Burnt Corral Creek, 75ft east of NFS Road 234, then following southeast along the southwest side of NFS Road 183 approximately 0.04 miles back to the point of beginning at the junction of Burnt Corral Creek and NFS Road 183, located at reference point 33° 37.451' N x -111° 12.034' W.

Note:

NFS Road 183D is closed starting 75ft south of NFS Road 234, then following west to its terminus. Boundary roads NFS Road 234 and NFS Road 183 remain open.

PURPOSE

To protect public health and safety due to unsafe conditions affected by floods and potential for flash flooding.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from October 1, 2025 6 a.m., through December 31, 2027, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area and Road 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/r03/tonto/alerts.
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 Tonto Basin Ranger District in Roosevelt, AZ, (602) 225-5395, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area and Road.