Mesquite Campground Post Fire Recovery Closure for Public Health & 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 and roads in the Cave Creek 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/Road"): 

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)
2. Being on the Described Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
3. Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b)

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/ROAD
The Described Area is within Township 7 North Range 6 East Sections 10 and PB37. It consists of all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary starting at the intersection of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 205 Horseshoe Dam Rd and NFSR 246, then following east, northwest then southwest along the south, northeast then northwest side of NFSR 246 approximately 0.8 miles to the
intersection with NFSR 205, then following southeast along the northeast side of NFSR 205 approximately 0.5 miles back to the beginning at the intersection of NFSR 205 and NFSR 246.

Routes along the Described Area boundary that are closed include NFSR 427. Routes along the Described area boundary that remain open include NFSR 205. Mesquite Campground is Closed."

PURPOSE
To protect public health and safety due to unsafe conditions in the area affected by the Horseshoe Wildfire making the area prone to flash flooding and for resource recovery.

IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This Order shall be in effect from May 15, 2026, at 12 a.m. through December 31, 2026, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area/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 Cave Creek Ranger District in Scottsdale, AZ, (480) 595-3300, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in or on the same Described Area/Road.