[azdesertfather]

Well, here we go...

Fire restrictions begin in Tonto forest

May. 12, 2009 07:01 AM
Associated Press

Drought conditions, hot temperatures and increased fire danger. It means conditions exist for catastrophic wildfires.

The Tonto National Forest will begin implementing fire restrictions Thursday.

Most types of fire or fire-causing activities across the entire Tonto National Forest will be restricted.

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 and using welding equipment or torches with open flames.

Use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices are allowed where designated.

[chumley]

I think the desert is more prone to fire than the mountains right now ... I was making snowballs this past weekend up on the Rim!

[azbackpackr]

We had a great big grass fire up here yesterday. NOT in the pines, but out in the cinder cone grasslands. Today I will be driving over to Show Low along Hwy 60, so I may be able to see where it was. On the local newspaper's website it says it was at mm 374 between Springerville and Vernon.

[chumley]

So Prescott and the Red Rock District of Coconino (Sedona) are under restrictions now too. Looking over the past few years, its pretty customary for Coconino and Kaibab to enact restrictions across the forest two weeks after Red Rock. So, for this year, I'll pencil in June 3rd-ish. But there is moisture forecast for this entire week, so if some widespread showers can drop a little bit of moisture along the rim, who knows? As for the rest of the state, ASNF and Coronado seem less consistent with their restrictions in my recollection.

Apparently there have been relatively few fires so far across the west (Santa Barbara was a biggie), so hopefully that holds true for a while. Its nice when there's plenty of resources available to fight any fires that do get going. Besides weather conditions, that is one of the factors the forest service uses to determine restrictions.

[Dschur]

Flagstaff, AZ —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.