Tonto Begins Closures Friday

The Tonto National Forest will close the Mogollon Rim running from the Town of Strawberry to the Fort Apache Indian Reservation beginning Friday at 8 a.m. The Tonto will also close the Pinal Mountains south of Globe & tighten fire restrictions at the same time.

The closure order will prohibit anyone from being in the restricted areas, which stretch approximately 5 to 7 miles into the Tonto from the Mogollon Rim & also cover the Pinal Mountains. Exceptions to this order are included for residents within the restricted area & government employees engaged in official duties. Fire restrictions covering the entire Tonto National Forest now prohibit campfires across the Payson, Pleasant Valley & Globe ranger districts. The exemptions that previously allowed campfires at developed recreation sites on those ranger districts have been withdrawn. Campfires & charcoal grill use will still be allowed at developed recreation sites on the Tonto Basin, Mesa & Cave Creek ranger districts, which includes the Salt & Verde rivers & their chains of lakes.

Fire restrictions across the forest also prohibit recreational shooting, smoking outside of a cleared area, use of power tools with internal combustion engines & off-highway vehicle use off of designated roads & trails.

For maps of the closure & fire restriction areas, including a list of exempted recreation sites, visit the Tonto National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.

Violation of these restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 & imprisonment for up to 6 months in jail.

For general information on fire activity & restrictions in Arizona call toll free 877-864-6985, or visit the Southwest Coordination Center website at http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/.