Tonto National Forest Remains in Fire Restrictions

PHOENIX, July 14, 2016-For Immediate Release.  The Tonto National Forest remains in fire restrictions.  The hot, dry weather has dried out plants, causing fire danger to remain high.  The Tonto National Forest will remain in fire restrictions until the monsoon rains make a comeback, which is not predicted in the immediate future.

Campfires are only permitted at developed campgrounds listed on the fire restrictions order.  If you are at a campground where fires are permitted, never leave your campfire unattended, have enough water and a shovel to put your fire dead-out and cold to the touch before you leave.  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 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.  The use of fireworks, explosives and exploding targets are always prohibited on national forest lands even if permitted by state law.

Details about restrictions on the Tonto National Forest, including where you can have a campfire can be found at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd504863.pdf.

During the period of hot, dry weather, make sure your vehicle is in good working condition, and safety chains and other trailer equipment are not dragging.  Chains dragging on the road creates sparks and can start fires.  Do not park or stop in tall grass or over small shrubs, where a spark or hot engine can start a fire.  Taking the extra time to prepare, may prevent a spark from starting a wildfire.