The Tonto National Forest rescinded Stage 3 Fire Restrictions and implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions at 8 am on July 31. The onset of monsoon activity across the forest, and a decrease in fire danger have prompted fire officials to decrease fire restrictions.
Apache Lake reopened on July 31 with Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are as follows:
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System lands within the Tonto National Forest in, Maricopa, Gila, Yavapai, and Pinal Counties.
Igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire other than in a developed campsite or picnic 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).
Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, cooking devices that are fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuel, that can be turned off immediately with no remaining burning material may be used in safe areas devoid of vegetation. Recreational target shooting remains prohibited at this time, however, legal hunting activities are permitted in areas not affected by a closure order.
Fire officials use several criteria to determine when to modify fire restrictions, including current and predicted weather, fuel moistures, fire activity and available firefighting resources. The current monsoonal moisture has decreased fire danger levels to allow campfires and charcoal fires in developed campgrounds and picnic areas, but only in Forest Service rings and BBQs. Open fires in dispersed recreation areas remain prohibited.
Campfires, and charcoal BBQs must be completely extinguished after use. Abandoned campfires continue to be a major cause of wildfires. Always keep enough water on hand, and a tool to drown and stir fires. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
Violators of the above restrictions are subject to fines and/or imprisonment.
As always, we encourage the public to be mindful of their surroundings and be careful outdoors:
• If campfires are allowed in an area, be sure to put them out completely before leaving the site
• If working outdoors use spark arresters and have a water source nearby
• Never burn on windy days
• Ensure tow chains are secure
• Check your vehicle thoroughly before getting on the road
• Never pull off into tall grasses
• Do not toss cigarettes out the window
• Fireworks and target shooting are not allowed on state lands at any time of the year
For more information on Tonto National Forest Restrictions, and tips for responsible recreating, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
