Payson Roundup | Payson, AZ

Drought conditions, hot temperatures and increased fire danger have resulted in fire restrictions for the Tonto National Forest beginning Thursday, May 14 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.

“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 Supervisor, Gene Blankenbaker.

“These precautionary measures are intended to enhance our visitors’ quality recreation experiences. Most areas of the Tonto National Forest remain available for recreation activity, including all 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 visit http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php

Violation of these restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.

For more information regarding forest 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 visit the. Southwest Coordination Center website: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc or Public Lands Information Center at http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php

Useful Web sites:

Arizona Fire News: http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php

New Mexico Fire News: http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/NM.php

Incident Information System (nationwide): http://inciweb.org/

National Interagency Fire Center: www.nifc.gov

National Fire Plan: www.fireplan.gov

FireWise: www.firewise.org

National Incident Information Center: www.fs.fed.us/news/fire

Arizona Governor’s Forest Health Council: www.governor.state.az.us/FHC

Campfires will be allowed in fire grates in the following developed recreation sites:

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

Globe Ranger District Pioneer Pass, in the Pinal Mtns

Sulphide Del Ray, in the Pinal Mtns

Kellner, in the Pinal Mtns

Ice House CCC, in the Pinal Mtns

Pinal, in the Pinal Mtns

Upper Pinal, in the Pinal Mtns

Warnica Group Site in the Pinal Mtns

Jones Water, off AZ Hwy 77 north of Globe

Oak Flat, off AZ Hwy 60 east of Superior

Timber Camp

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

Payson Ranger District Houston Mesa Campground

Houston Mesa Horse Camp

Ponderosa Campground

Sharp Creek Campground

Upper Tonto Creek Campground

Christopher Creek Campground

Pleasant Valley Ranger District Falls Campground

Reynolds Creek Group Site Rose Creek Campground

Alderwood Campground

Sawmill Flats Campground

Haigler Canyon Campground

Colcord Ridge Campground

Airplane Flats Campground

Upper Canyon Campground

Valentine Ridge Campground

Tonto Basin Ranger District Apache Lake Recreation Areas.

Apache Lake Marina

Upper Burnt Corral

Lower Burnt Corral

Crabtree

Three-mile Wash

Davis Wash

Roosevelt Recreation Area

Vineyard

Frazier

Windy Hill Cholla Bachelor Cove

Grapevine

Cottonwood