03-12-00-24-24 Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Entire Forest

Effective Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 8 a.m. through Sept. 30, 2024, at midnight, unless rescinded.

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C § 551 and 36 C.F.R § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on all National Forest System lands (NFS) in the Tonto National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the "Described Area"):

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. 36 C.F.R § 261.52(d).

3. Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun within the Described Area. 36 C.F.R § 261.58(m).

The purpose of this Order is to provide for the public's health and safety and to protect National Forest System lands, resources, and facilities during the current period of high fire danger. An emergency exists due to the high levels of continuous fine fuel loading, fire danger, indices, and extreme weather conditions. These factors have created an environment in which ignitions from human-caused activities can occur at a much higher rate than normal. Further, wildfires from such ignitions have the propensity to spread extremely quickly, presenting a significant risk to the public, as well as substantial obstacles to firefighters in the implementation of wildfire suppression strategies.

• Closure Order
• Exhibit A Map
• Tonto National Forest Emergency Recreational Shooting Restriction Justification