Washington Fire Emergency Closure Order

Associated Documents

Forest Order

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Tonto & Coconino National Forests
Payson & Mogollon Rim Ranger Districts

Washington Fire Emergency Closure Order for Public Health and Safety
 

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads and trail in the Payson Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, and the Mogollon Rim Ranger District, Coconino National Forest described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area/Roads/Trail”):

1.    Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)

2.    Being on the Described Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

3.    Being on the Described Trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1.    Persons with Forest Service Permit form FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

2.    Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

3.    Residents, owners, and lessees of private property within the Described Area are allowed ingress and egress on FSR 439 and FSR 32.

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAIL

All National Forest System (NFS) lands and roads within the boundary staring at the intersection of NFS Road 64, also referred to as Control Road, and NFS Road 32, also referred to as Washington Park Road, then following NFS Road 64 west along the east side to the intersection of NFS Road 439, also referred to as Bray Creek Road, then following north along NFS Road 439 to the junction with Bray Creek, then following Bray Creek north onto the Coconino National Forest and to the junction with NFS Road 300, also referred to as Rim Road, then following along the east side of NFS Road 300 northwest to the intersection with NFS Road 147, then following the east side of NFS Road 147 north to the intersection with NFS Road 612, then following north along NFS Road 612 to the intersection with NFS Road 141, then following along the south and east side of NFS Road 141 west and south to the intersection with NFS Road 141C, then following west along NFS Road 141C to the junction with the northern line of section 11, Township 13N, Range 10E, then following west along the northern boundary of sections 11 and 12 of Township 13N, Range 10E and section 6 and 7 of Township 13N, Range 11E to the junction with NFS Road 139A, then following south along NFS Road 139A to the intersection with NFS Road 139, then following southwest along NFS Road139 to the intersection with NFS Road 300, then following west along NFS Road 300 to the junction with Trail 290, also referred to as Colonel Devin Trail, then following south along Trail 290 to the junction with NFS Road 32, then following south along NFS Road 32 to the point of beginning at the intersection with NFS Road 64 and NFS Road 32

Described Roads that will remain open:
NFS Road 64,
NFS Road 300, west of the junction with Bray Creek and east of NFS Road 139, NFS Road 147,
NFS Road 141, starting at the intersection with NFS Road 612, then following west of the intersection with NFS Road 141C.

Described Roads & Trail that will remain closed:
NFS Road 439,
NFS Road 139, NFS Road 139A, NFS Road 141C, NFS Road 612,
NFS Road 32,
NFS Road 300, Starting at the junction with Bray Creek then following west to the intersection with NFS Road 139,

Described Roads & Trail that will remain closed:
NFS Trail 290 (Colonel Devin Trail) and,
NFS Trail 31 (Highline National Recreation Trail, Arizona Trail). Starting from the junction with Bray Creek, then following east to the junction with NFS Road 32.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety and ensure the safety of firefighters during wildland fire operations of the Washington Fire.

IMPLEMENTATION

1.    This Order shall be in effect from August 15, 2025, at 5:00pm through September 30, 2025, at 6:00pm, unless rescinded.

2.    A map identifying the Described Area/Roads/Trail is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/tonto/alerts

3.    Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4.    A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C.
§§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5.    Contact the Payson/Pleasant Valley Ranger District in Payson, AZ, (928) 474- 7900, and Mogollon Rim Ranger District in Happy Jack, AZ, (928) 477-2255, for more information about this Order.
6.    This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area/Roads/Trail.

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