Target shooting is prohibited while fire restrictions are in place, fireworks and explosives are prohibited year-round

PHOENIX - Hot temperatures and increased fire danger have prompted fire officials to implement fire restrictions for the Tonto National Forest beginning 8:00 am, Saturday, June 15, 2019. Most types of fire or fire-causing activities are prohibited across the entire Tonto National Forest.

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device is prohibited outside of metal fire rings and metal pedestal grills provided by the Forest Service in developed recreation sites (see attached list). 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.

“Arizona’s record wet winter has created a carpet of grasses which are now cured and dry due to the recent high temperatures” said Tonto National Forest Supervisor Neil Bosworth. “Implementing these fire restrictions will help prevent human-caused wildfires, decreasing unnecessary exposure to firefighters.”

“We are reminding the public that fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited National Forests in Arizona and New Mexico,” emphasized Rocky Gilbert, Acting Tonto National Forest Fire Management Officer.

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 on the Tonto National Forest, contact the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200, or online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.

For information on current fires burning in Arizona visit Inciweb, and visit the Arizona Fire Restrictions website to view all fire restrictions in Arizona.

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

Cave Creek Ranger District

Bartlett Lake Recreation Area

o Bartlett Lake Marina

o Rattlesnake Cove

o SB Cove parking lot ramadas with metal charcoal pedestals grills

o Yellow Cliff parking lot ramadas with metal charcoal pedestals grills

o Seven Springs Recreation Area

o Springs Group Site

o CCC Campground

Lower Verde Recreation Area

o Needle Rock Day Use Picnic Area

Globe Ranger District

o Timber Camp Equestrian Group Site

o Timber Camp Campground – Brundrett #1 and Brundrett #2

o Jones Water Campground

o Oak Flat Campground

o Kellner Group Recreation Site

o Icehouse CCC Picnic Site

o Sulphide Del Rey Campground

o Pinal Campground

o Upper Pinal Campground

o Pioneer Pass Campground

Mesa Ranger District

o Saguaro Del Norte

o Butcher Jones

o Acacia

o Boulder

o Laguna

o Palo Verde

o Granite Reef

o Phon D Sutton

o Coons Bluff

o Saguaro Lake Marina

o Canyon Lake Marina

o Pebble Beach

o Blue Point

o Sheep’s Crossing

o Water Users

o Larry Forbis Group Site

Payson Ranger District

o Houston Mesa Campground

o Houston Mesa Horse Camp

o Ponderosa Campground and Group Sites

o Christopher Creek Campground and Group Site

o Sharp Creek Campground and Group Sites

o Lower Tonto Creek Campground

o Upper Tonto Creek Campground

Tonto Basin Ranger District

o Apache Lake Marina

o Vineyard Picnic Site

o Roosevelt Lake Marina RV Campground

o Frazier Campground

o Frazier Group Site

o Windy Hill Campground

o Cholla Campground

o Grapevine Campground

o Cottonwood Picnic Site

o Schoolhouse Campground

o Burnt Corral Campground   back...