BEGINS FIRE RESTRICTIONS MAY 8TH

For Immediate Release: May 5, 2008
Contact: For further information, please call (602) 525-1040

PHOENIX (May 5, 2008) – Drought conditions, hot temperatures and increased fire danger have resulted in fire restrictions for the Tonto National Forest beginning Thursday, May 8 at 8 a.m. The forest will prohibit most types of fire or fire-causing activities across the entire Tonto National Forest

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device is prohibited. Restrictions also apply to smoking outside of a cleared area, operating internal combustion power tools, using welding equipment or torches with open flames, operating combustion engines without spark- arresting devices in effective working order, or discharging firearms except in taking game in accordance with Arizona hunting laws. Use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices are allowed, and some developed campgrounds are also exempted from these restrictions. (Please see attached list).

“Because of ongoing drought and dry forest conditions, fire restrictions are needed to protect forest users, structures and natural resources from the increased potential for dangerous wildland fires,” said Tonto National Forest Fire Staff Officer Clay Templin. “These precautionary measures are intended to enhance our visitors’ quality of recreation experiences. Most areas of the Tonto National Forest remain available for recreation activity, including all of the Salt River system lakes.”

For further information regarding recreation sites and fire restrictions, please contact the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200, or check online at www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto.

For general information on fire activity and restrictions in Arizona call toll-free (877) 864-6985, or http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php.

NO SITES OPEN TO FIRES:

            Payson Ranger District
            Pleasant Valley Ranger District

The following developed campgrounds on Tonto National Forest allow campfires in provided campfire rings:

Globe Ranger District:
            Jones Water, off AZ Hwy 77 N of Globe
            Pinal Mountains -        Pioneer Pass
                                                Sulphide Del Ray
                                                Kellner
                                                Ice House CCC
                                                Pinal
                                                Upper Pinal
                                                Warnica Group Site
           

Oak Flat, off AZ Hwy 60 E of Superior

Timber Camp

OTHER ARIZONA LOCATIONS:

Cave Creek Ranger District:
            Bartlett Lake Recreation Area
            Bartlett Lake Marina
            Jojoba
            Rattlesnake Cove
            Rattlesnake Group
            S B Cove
            Bartlett Flat (below high waterline)
            Yellow Cliffs
            Lower Verde Recreation Area
            Riverside Campground
            Needle Rock Recreation Area
            Needle Rock Campground
            Box Bar
            Seven Springs Recreation Area
            CCC Campground
            Seven Springs Picnic Area
            Cave Creek Group Site
            Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area
            Horseshoe Lake Campground
            Catfish Point
            Ocotillo
            Mesquite Campground


Mesa Ranger District:
            Saguaro Lake Recreation Area
            Saguaro Lake Marina
            Saguaro Del Norte
            Butcher Jones
            Canyon Lake Recreation Area
            Canyon Lake Marina
            Acacia
            Boulder
            Laguna
            Palo Verde
            Lower Salt Recreation Area
            Developed recreation sites only