Tonto National Forest

USDA Forest Service

Tonto National Forest

NEWS RELEASE

United States Tonto National Forest

Department of

2324 E. McDowell Rd.

Agriculture Phoenix, Arizona 85006

Southwest Region (602) 225-5200

www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/

For Immediate Release Contact: Fire Information Officer

June 7, 2010 602-525-1042

Tonto National Forest begins fire restrictions June 11

Note: Fireworks are prohibited on the forest at all times.

PHOENIX (June7, 2010) – Drought conditions, hot temperatures and increased fire danger have resulted in fire restrictions for the Tonto National Forest beginning at 8 a.m., Friday, June 11. 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 recreation experiences. Most areas of the Tonto National Forest remain available for recreation activity, including all the Salt River system lakes.”

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

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Tonto NF fire restrictions in effect, June 11, 2010

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 http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php

Fire Restriction Information: Toll free 1 (877) 864-6985

Useful Websites:

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

National Incident Information System www.inciweb.org

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

National Interagency Fire Center: www.nifc.gov

National Fire Plan: www.fireplan.gov

FireWise: www.firewise.org

Useful ARIZONA Websites:

www.azfireinfo.com (fire prevention and restrictions)

www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php (fire restrictions and other public lands information)

www.azstatefire.org (wildfire information and Firewise)

www.azein.gov (Arizona Emergency Information Network for ALL hazard emergency and

disaster information)

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Tonto NF fire restrictions in effect, June 11, 2010

Campfires are allowed in fire grills and grates provided by the Forest Service in the following developed recreation sites:

Cave Creek Ranger District Bartlett Lake Recreation Area

Bartlett Lake Marina

Rattlesnake Cove

Rattlesnake Group

S B Cove

Yellow Cliffs

Lower Verde Recreation Area

Riverside Campground

Needle Rock Campground

Seven Springs Recreation Area

CCC Campground

Seven Springs Picnic Area

Cave Creek Group Site

Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area

Horseshoe Lake Campground

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 Marina

Saguaro Del Norte

Butcher Jones

Canyon Lake Marina

Acacia

Boulder

Laguna

Palo Verde

Granite Reef

Phon D Sutton

Coons Bluff

Goldfield

Pebble Beach

Blue Point

Sheep’s Crossing

Water Users

Larry Forbis Group Site

Pobrecito Boat Staging Area

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Tonto NF fire restrictions in effect, June 11, 2010

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 Diversion Dam Picnic Site

Vineyard

Frazier

Windy Hill

Cholla

Grapevine

Cottonwood

Schoolhouse Campground

Indian Point Campground

Burnt Corral

Fuels elimination project in Pine-Strawberry area

ongoing; expected to be finished before July 4

Payson, Ariz. (May 5, 2010) – Mechanical elimination of remaining vegetative debris piles scattered throughout the Pine and Strawberry areas began Monday. The project should be complete before July 4 announced Tonto National Forest officials.

Residents and visitors to the area can expect to hear machinery noise and see dust from about 7 am until about 6:30 pm each day of the fuels elimination project.

For information about prescribed fire and mechanical fuels reduction operations, please call the Payson Ranger District at 928-474-7900. Residents can also stay updated on forest prescribed fires at www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto. To report a wildland fire, the fire emergency number is 480-457-1555, or 866-746-6516.

NEWS RELEASE

NOTICE FROM PAYSON RANGER DISTRICT, TONTO NATIONAL FOREST

CATTLE ARRIVING VICINITY OF MESA DEL CABALLO & HOUSTON MESA ROAD

From April through early June, the cattle herd authorized on the Little Green Valley Complex allotment by the US Forest Service will be using pastures that contain the paved Houston Mesa Road and border the communities of Mesa Del Caballo, Freedom Acres, and Wonder Valley. The roadway is not fenced from livestock. Cattle will be located in pastures defined by the cattleguard south of Mesa Del Caballo to the cattleguard south of the turn-off to Beaver Valley. The posted speed limit is 35 MPH and should be strictly adhered to; extra caution should be taken while cattle are in these pastures. The Forest Service placed a flashing warning sign along the Houston Mesa Road to advise motorists that cattle will be in the area.

As a reminder to property owners, Arizona State livestock laws specify this state as an “open range” state. This means that if a property owner in unincorporated areas (outside Payson or Star Valley) wants to prevent cattle from entering their property, they are required to have the property fenced with a sturdy, cow-proof fence. Cattle will be moved in early June to pastures at the base of the Mogollon Rim containing the communities of Bonita Creek Estates and Ellison Creek Estates where they will remain through the summer.

Also, please respect gates and fences. Fences are federal property and it is unlawful to cut fences and leave gates open in occupied pastures. When fences are cut and gates left open the cattle are free to roam and have the potential of creating a serious hazard for motorists on Beeline Highway and Highway 260.

For more information contact range specialist Chris Thiel at the Payson Ranger District:

(928) 474-7921 or cathiel@fs.fed.us

Contact: Gary Roberts

2010 Fire Prevention Officer

928-474-7900

Check back for updates.

Or go to their website;

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/home.shtml

A Little Slice of Paradise

The Pine Strawberry AZ Community Information Site

For Immediate Release Contact: Fire Information Officer

June 7, 2010 602-525-1042

Tonto National Forest begins fire restrictions June 11

Mesa Ranger District Saguaro Lake Marina

NEWS RELEASE