Tonto National Forest 'Community Forums'

Tonto National Forest officials are presenting a series of Community Forums to discuss revisions to the Land and Resource Management Plan.

The meetings are being held in Globe, Roosevelt, Young, Payson, Mesa and Cave Creek.

A meeting will be held in Roosevelt on Wednesday, June 4, from 6 to 8:30pm at the Tonto Basin Ranger District Office.

The meeting in Globe is on Thursday, June 19, from 6 to 8:30pm at the Gila Pueblo Campus.

Fossil Creek Open House in Pine

The Coconino and Tonto National Forests will hold a public open house next week in Pine. It will be an opportunity for the public to provide comments and feedback on new concepts regarding the management of Fossil Creek and its future.

The Open House will be held on Thursday, September 5 at the Pine Senior Center.from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Congress designated a portion of Fossil Creek as a Wild and Scenic River in 2009. That requires the Forest Service to “protect and enhance” the river’s free-flowing condition and water quality.

Lightning Causes 11 Fires on the Tonto National Forest

Lightning caused 11 fires on the Tonto National Forest over the weekend. At last report five were still active or being monitored.

The White Fire south of Superior grew to 1,000 acres yesterday but it is not spreading.

The Picket Fire southwest of Superior has been stopped at two acres. As of last night, one engine was on the scene.

Forest Road 250 at Apache Lake Closed

Tonto National Forest officials announce that  Forest Road 250 is closed until further notice. Forest Road 250 is the road that accesses the Davis Wash Recreation Area at Apache Lake.

Heavy rains over the weekend washed out a section of the roadway above a steep embankment. It may be several months before repairs are completed.

For more information contact the Tonto Ranger District at 928-467-3200.

Fires on Tonto National Forest

A couple of small wildfires are burning on the Tonto National Forest.

The Haystack Fire is 23 miles northeast of Globe and 2 miles west of Haystack Butte.

The Arnett Fire has burned 3 to 5 acres. It is five  and a half miles southeast of Superior and east of Highway 177.

Road Work on Pinal Peak Roads

Maintenance work continues on several Pinal Peak roads. Traffic delays are possible for the next six weeks.

Road maintenance is being conducted on Forest roads 651, 580 and 899 Mondays through Tursdays, 6:am to 4:30pm.

Forest Service road crews will be operating graders, dozers, backhoes and water tenders, making travel hazardous on the narrow and winding roads up the mountain.

Pinal Recreation residents and communication tower personnel should contact the Globe Ranger District administrative office if you have questions about specific maintenance activities.

Payson Ranger District Campgrounds Open for Season

The Tonto National Forest announces that campgrounds in the Payson Ranger District are now open.

There are bear-proof dumpsters in all six campgrounds as well as food storage boxes in about half of the 63 campsites in Ponderosa Campground.

Campers are advised to be bear-aware and store all scented items in their cars or in the provided food storage boxes. Throw all garbage in the bear-proof dumpsters. And tents should be placed away from food cooking areas.

You’ll find forest recreation information at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto .

Public Meeting to Discuss Tonto Forest Recreation

Tonto National Forest recreation officials are having a public meeting on Wednesday night from 6 to 8:pm at Besh Ba Gowah. The purpose of this series of meetings around the state is to get public input about the future of developed recreation sites.

Meetings will also be held on Wednesday, February 6 from 6 to 8:pm at Tonto Basin Elementary School, and on Friday, February 8 from 1 to 3:pm at Roosevelt Lake Resort..

Tonto National Forest Public Meetings

Tonto National Forest recreation officials have announced that they will begin a series of public meetings in January to discuss long-term sustainability planning.

The purpose is to get the public’s input  in determining the future of developed recreation sites.

A meeting will be held in Globe on January 30 from 6 to 8:pm at Besh Ba Gowah.

Meetings will also be held at Tonto Basin Elementary School on February 6 and at the Roosevelt Lake Resort  on February 8.

Big Canyon Fire Burning East of Payson

A fire is burning 2 miles west of the Tonto Fish Hatchery in the Big Canyon area near Highline Trail, about 14 miles east of Payson.

The fire is being called the Big Canyon fire. It was reported about 10:30am yesterday (Sunday). Personnel and air attack were on the scene yesterday. More resources were ordered for today.

The fire has burned more than 100 acres.

Wildfire Updates

The Queen Fire has burned 1,200 acres, 2 miles northeast of Superior. There is significant smoke in the area. It is highly visible from Highway 60.

The Mistake Peak fire – 11 miles east of Punkin Center -  has now burned 4,000 acres. It is 15% contained.

The Charley Fire has burned 950 acres and is 10% contained. The fire is located 3 miles west of Sunflower in the Tonto National Forest.

Wildfires in the Tonto National Forest

The Mistake Peak Fire -11 miles east of Punkin Center- has burned 1,700 acres and is 15% contained.

Lightning started four fires yesterday (Sunday) on the Tonto National Forest.

The Hollywood Fire has burned three acres east of Arizona 87, near mile marker 205. Two fire engine crews have been assigned to that fire.

The Ice Man Fire is currently burning north of Maverick Mountain.

The two other fires are minimal and haven’t been named yet.

Small Fires Burning in Tonto National Forest

Lightning started several small fires Wednesday in the Tonto National Forest.

The Picket Fire in the Globe Ranger District burned .8 of an acre.

The Mesa Fire in the Salt River Canyon Wilderness burned 2 acres.

The Woodbury Fire burned 200 acres in the Superstition Wilderness.

The Granite Fire burned .10 of an acre in the Mesa Ranger District.

The Houston Fire in the southwest section of Hellsgate Wilderness burned 3 acres.

The McFadden Fire burned 12 acres in the Pleasant Valley Ranger District.

And the Mistake Fire has burned 10 acres in the Tonto Basin Ranger District.

Tonto National Forest Camping Restrictions Reduced

Tonto National Forest officials have modified the temporary area closure enacted last month because of three bear attacks.

The Ponderosa, Upper Tonto Creek, Lower Tonto Walk-In, Christopher Creek and Sharp Creek Campgrounds were closed last month. Now increased live fuel moisture has improved vegetation production for the bears.

Some of the campgrounds have been reopened with restrictions. A few are open for day use only. The Ponderosa Campground remains closed for the season.

Visitors are prohibited from leaving bear attractants in their camping areas.

For more information visit the Tonto National Forest website or call 928-474-7900.

Lightning Starts Small Fires in Tonto National Forest

Lightning started at least 8 fires yesterday in the Tonto National Forest. The fires range in size from .10 to 10 acres.

Fire specialists are on the scene. Resources have been ordered and are en route.

Fire Restrictions Lifted on Tonto National Forest

Fire restrictions have been lifted on the Tonto National Forest.

The retstrictions are no longer needed because fire danger has been reduced by increased moisture and humidity from the annual monsoon weather.

The fire restrictions are separate from the prohibition of fireworks at all times in all National Forests.

The use of of tracer bullets and incendiary ammo is also banned at all times on all National Forests. This is because there has been an increasing number of fire starts attributed to target or recreational shooting.

For more information about forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, contact the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200 or online at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.

Fire Restrictions Lowered in Tonto National Forest

Fire restrictions in the Tonto National Forest have been eased effective today, but not completely lifted.

Fires are allowed in certain developed campgrounds. These include the Timber Camp campground; and the Pioneer Pass, Sulphide, Kellner, Lower Pinal and Upper Pinal campgrounds in the Pinal Mountains. It also includes Jones Water, off Highway 77 north of Globe and Oak Flat, east of Superior.

The use of petroleum-fueled heaters, ovens and stoves is permitted in these areas. Smoking is only allowed in a developed campground, vehicle or building. Firearms and other spark-generating equipment, however,  are still restricted.

Tonto Creek Area Reopens for Day Use on Wednesday

Tonto National Forest officials have announced that the Tonto Creek area will reopen for day use tomorrow (Wedesday) at 8:am.

The following area will be open every day 6:am to 6:pm, effective Wednesday, July 18 at 8:am:
The area within 1/2 mile east and west of Tonto Creek Road from Highway 260 to the Horton Bridge, within 1/2 mile west of Tonto Creek Road from the Horton Bridge to the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery, within 1/2 mile east of Horton Trail (Trail 31) from Horton Spring to the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery.

The following areas remain closed at all times under a temporary closure order:
All lands encompassed by the Ponderosa Campground, Sharp Creek Campground, Christopher Creek Campground, Lower Tonto Creek walk-in Campground, and Upper Tonto Creek Campground and the Forest Roads 405, 405A, 893, 1625, Ponderosa Campground Road, State Highway by-pass, and Trail 37 to the wilderness boundary.

For more information visit the Tonto National Forest website www.fs.usda.gov/tonto or call the Payson Ranger District at 928-474-7900.

'Cooks Complex' Fires Reach 65% Containment

The total containment of the “Cooks Complex” fires in the Tonto National Forest has increased to 65%. The fires have burned more than 7,100 acres.

Multiple fires started on July 11 during a severe lightning storm near Black Canyon City and New River.

The Cooks fire, 12 miles east of Black Canyon City, is 100% contained.

The fire closest to Black Canyon City is 65% contained.

The only active fire—the one closest to New River—is 50% contained.

Update on New Fires in Tonto National Forest

Lightning strikes have caused several new fires this week in the Tonto National Forest.

The Squaw Creek Fire, 6.5 miles southeast of Black Canyon City, has now burned 4,000 acres.

The Bartlett Fire, 6 miles northeast of Bartlett Lake, has burned 250 acres.

The Cooks Fire, 12 miles east of Black Canyon City, has burned 178 acres.

The New River Fire, 9 miles southeast of Black Canyon City, is 60 acres in size.

The Orphan Fire, 6.5 miles southwest of Superior, has burned 161 acres.