Red Rabbit Report post Posted May 19, 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 15, 2009 PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST ANNOUNCES RESTRICTIONS TO BEGIN MAY 21ST For Immediate Release May 14, 2009 Contact: Sean West (928) 777-5667 (928) 925-6393 PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST ENTERS STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS PRESCOTT, AZ (May 14, 2009) – Campfire and smoking restrictions will go into effect on the Prescott National Forest beginning Thursday, May 21, at 8:00 a.m. Forest managers have determined that key trigger points have been reached to warrant taking these restrictive actions. These include increased forest visitor use, abandoned campfires, unseasonably dry fuels and rising temperatures. The following fire restrictions will be in effect for the entire Prescott National Forest: • Campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires (wood, charcoal, and coal burning) are prohibited on all Prescott National Forest lands, roads, and trails; except within developed recreation sites where grills and campfire rings are provided. • Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed. • Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. • Campfires are not allowed at the designated dispersed sites within the Prescott Basin. Metal posts identify designated dispersed sites with a number. Campfire and smoking restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment of not more than six (6) months, or both. The public is reminded that fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands. For current information on fire restrictions, closures or wildfires on the Prescott National Forest, call 928-777-5799. Coconino NF- Red Rock District -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: May 19, 2009 COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST ANNOUNCES SOME RESTRICTIONS; KAIBAB URGES SAFETY For Immediate Release May 18, 2009 Contact: Karen Malis-Clark (Coconino)928-527-3492 Punky Moore (Kaibab)928-635-5653 Campfire safety urged this Memorial Day weekend Fire Restrictions on Red Rock Ranger District Campfire and smoking restrictions will go into effect on the Red Rock District of the Coconino National Forest beginning this Thursday, May 21, at 8:00 a.m. The restrictions are consistent with those on the Prescott National Forest and apply to most of the Red Rock Ranger District, including the national forest land in the Verde Valley on the east side of the Verde River, Oak Creek Canyon, lower Sycamore Canyon, lower West Clear Creek, Fossil Creek and Bullpen. The area southeast of Interstate 17, east of Forest Road 618, and north of Forest Road 214 is not included. These “Stage I” restrictions mean: • Campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires (wood, charcoal, and coal burning) are prohibited on National Forest lands, roads, and trails; except within developed recreation sites where grills and campfire rings are provided. • Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed. • Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material. Campfires are allowed on the rest of the Coconino National Forest “above the rim,” and on the Kaibab National Forest this weekend. A few campfire safety reminders include: • Use existing campfire rings to minimize impacts to the soil. Make a fire only if you have a shovel and sufficient water to put it out. Never leave your campfire unattended. • Avoid making a campfire during the windy part of the day. Winds usually diminish at night when a campfire is welcome. Keep your campfire as small as practical. • To make sure your campfire is out, drown with water and stir with dirt, making sure all burned materials are extinguished. Feel with your hand to make sure it’s out cold. Fire managers continue to evaluate weather and fuel conditions and will re-examine the need for fire restrictions on a weekly basis. For fire restrictions on public lands in Arizona, visit http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php (http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php ), or call toll free 1-877-864-6985. Most Forest Service offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The Red Rock Visitor Station south of Sedona and Williams Visitor Center will be open. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted May 19, 2009 TONTO NATIONAL FOREST ENTERS FIRE RESTRICTIONS For Immediate Release May 12, 2009 Contact: Fire Information Officer 602-525-1042 Tonto National Forest begins fire restrictions May 14 PHOENIX (May 12, 2009) – Drought conditions, hot temperatures and increased fire danger have resulted in fire restrictions for the Tonto National Forest beginning Thursday, May 14 at 8 a.m. 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 Supervisor, Gene Blankenbaker. “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.” For further information regarding 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 http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php (http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php ) Violation of these 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 www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NRS Report post Posted May 20, 2009 Here is where you can check on all fire restrictions in the state. http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php Various parts of the State Lands and BLM lands also went into fire restrictions last week as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
