Fire Danger High!

Target shooting is prohibited while fire restrictions are in place; fireworks and explosives are prohibited year-round. Vital information is available.

Effective immediately, open campfires will be prohibited in Haigler Creek Campground on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District. This is in addition to the fire restrictions that were implemented on June 5.

Most types of fire or fire-causing activities continue to be prohibited across the entire Tonto National Forest.

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device are allowed in developed campgrounds on the list below, where metal fire rings and metal pedestal grills are provided by the Forest Service. The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices are allowed.

Restrictions also apply to operating internal combustion power tools, using welding equipment or torches with open flames, operating combustion engines without spark-arresting devices in effective working order and meeting either USDA or SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) standards.

Discharging a firearm is still prohibited, except for taking game in accordance with Arizona hunting laws.

Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or a developed recreation site. Please deposit the remains in an ashtray or inside a building. Do not toss or discard on the ground.

"These restrictions help prevent human-caused wildfires." said Acting Tonto National Forest Fire Staff Bill Crolly. "We are reminding the public that fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited on the Forest," emphasized Crolly.

Violation of these fire 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 http://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

• For general information on fire activity and restrictions in Arizona, call toll free 877-864-6985, or visit the. Southwest Coordination Center Web site: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc or http://firerestrictions.us/az

• Another important resource is Fire Restriction Information: Toll free 1 (877) 864-6985, Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention and Information Website: Information is provided by agencies associated with the Southwest Coordinating Group.

• Further, for fire restriction information on specific lands, please call toll-free 1-877-864-6985 or visit http://firerestrictions.us/az

Useful Web Sites

• Fire Preventions and Restrictions: http://www.azfireinfo.com

• Arizona Fire Restrictions: http://firerestrictions.us/az

• Arizona Emergency Information Network (for ALL hazard emergency and disaster information): http://www.azein.gov

• National Incident Information System http://www.inciweb.org

• Southwest Coordination Center: http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc

• National Interagency Fire Center: http://www.nifc.gov National Fire Plan: http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov

• FireWise: http://www.firewise.org

At press time, campfires are allowed in metal fire rings and metal pedestal grills provided by the Forest Service only in developed recreation sites of these ranger districts: Cave Creek, Globe, Mesa, Payson, and Tonto Basin.

For more specific information, visit The USDA Forest Service's site http://www.wildlandfire.az.gov/.