2021 Fire Restrictions

[chumley]

National Forests
Apache-Sitgreaves No Restrictions starting Fri Jul 16th
Coconino No Restrictions starting Fri Jul 16th
Coronado No Restrictions starting Fri Jul 9th
Kaibab No Restrictions starting Fri Jul 16th
Prescott No Restrictions starting Wed Jul 21st
Tonto No Restrictions starting Wed Jul 21st

State Trust
No Restrictions except Stage I in Yavapai County only

BLM
Nothing reported on HAZ thus far.

Per usual; check with the land managing agency before any trip for the best results.

----------- original post below ------------
Update: A-S NF enacting a full closure beginning 6/24.

Update: A-S NF goes to Stage 2 beginning 6/11

Apache-Sitgreaves are the first National Forests in the state to enact restrictions, effective tomorrow May 7, 2021.
These Stage 1 Restrictions are set to expire December 31, 2021.
Read the official forest order here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 909204.pdf

The public land agencies in the Southwest have made yet another attempt at consolidating restriction information in one (woefully poor attempt at an) easy to use website.
Needless to say, it does not yet reflect the announced ASNF restriction. Perhaps it will tomorrow when it takes effect?
You may visit this consolidated source of fire restriction data at this link.

[nonot]

Tonto is opening - after less than an inch of rain in much of the forest.

Which indicates that the real motivation for closure had little to do with moisture levels, and was more likely concerns regarding the idiots who violate stage 2 rules regarding illegal campfires and fireworks, and availability of personnel to respond to new fires caused by said idiots.

[nonot]

National Forests
Apache-Sitgreaves CLOSED 06/24
Coconino Open w/Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
Coronado Open
...

Chums, thank you for updating the OP. As FYI, Coronado is in stage 2, just like Coconino. The link to the alert is:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DO ... 915424.pdf

[chumley]

cactuscat wrote: ↑Jul 06 2021 03:25 pm
Tonto is opening - after less than an inch of rain in much of the forest.

Which indicates that the real motivation for closure had little to do with moisture levels

I've not seen a similar report published by Tonto NF, but Coconino has a very detailed explanation of the process by which they enact restrictions, and closures. "Increased recreational visitation" is one of the factors. Moisture-related metrics are more than one of the factors.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino ... rdb5339123

Rescission of Restriction and Closure Orders
The same level of coordination between Districts, adjacent Forests, and the Forest Fire Staff should occur when deciding to rescind any signed orders. A general guideline is that 2/3 of the Area Closure/Forest Closure must receive 1/10th" of rain prior to rescinding a closure and 1/2" of rain prior to rescinding Smoking and Campfire Restrictions. The rescission order is signed by the Forest Supervisor. The Public Affairs office will notify the media and the Dispatch Center will notify the Districts.

2. Forest Closure:
This is rare and used only when severe fire conditions exist, there are multiple large fires on the Forest or in the Region, and nearly all suppression forces available to the Region are committed to going fires. Closures are an important fire prevention tool. They will be implemented whenever needed to help prevent large fires and their accompanying damage and high suppression costs.

Some additional criteria for implementing Area Closures are:
Fire Preparedness Level IV or higher.
Temperature threshold
Relative humidity threshold
Fine fuel moisture threshold
10 hour fuel moisture threshold
1000 hour fuel moisture threshold

[chumley]

For those not following along at home ... all the forest closures in Arizona have been rescinded as of Wednesday morning July 7. Stage 2 restrictions remain in place preventing campfires, smoking, etc. in all of them until more rain falls and reduces fire danger.

Closures still apply in smaller areas affected by fire or flooding (Bradshaws, Fossil Creek, Pinals, Sycamore Canyon, Butcher Jones, etc.) so make sure to check with the local land management office before heading out.

[chumley]

Coronado NF is lifting fire restrictions effective Friday, July 9. Burn baby burn!!! ( @cactuscat , I expect a reply of bewilderment from you on this one, and I think I agree!)

[andrewp]

Coronado NF is lifting fire restrictions effective Friday, July 9.

[ShatteredArm]

@andrewp
I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility that they have a good reason for it.

[cactuscat]

@chumley
Wow! My friend at Columbine says they have gotten five inches of rain up there in a week - which is great, obviously ... but I wonder how much the majority of the Forest has gotten? (I don't wonder enough to do the research, tho) Fingers crossed, I guess!

[chumley]

@cactuscat If they follow the same metrics as the Coconino description above ... I'm assuming that more than 2/3rds of the forest has received half an inch or more.

[chumley]

@cactuscat
Coincidentally, NWS Tucson just posted a graphic showing rainfall to start the monsoon. No research necessary!

[PrestonSands]

@cactuscat Columbine on Graham?

[cactuscat]

@PrestonSands
Yeah - Jan, the volunteer at the visitor center.

[joebartels]

Coconino & Kaibab are lifting all restrictions tomorrow
Yesterday, Tonto said/reminded they are holding on Stage II

Being the prime recent venue, Coronado must have seen an increase...
Camping for more than 14 days in any 60-day period is prohibited beginning until Aug 1st
edit: pointless add on, having not fully comprehended... lol

[ShatteredArm]

Camping for more than 14 days in any 60-day period is prohibited beginning Aug 1st

I'd be interested to know whether such a broad restriction is something they're legally allowed to enact, or if it will go the way of the old Catalina Highway fee station...

[chumley]

@ShatteredArm
It's federal law. See CFR Title 36, Section 261.58a: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/36/261.58

Longstanding forest orders to which this law provides legal enforcement have restricted occupancy for more than 14 days in a 30 day period (all other forests in AZ). Coronado has had a 60 day window since at least 2019.

Basically ... you can camp on public land, but you can't LIVE there!

[joebartels]

My bad, that expires Aug 1st.

[chumley]

@joebartels
Gotta love Coronado ... also expiring 8/1 is the order that prohibits underage possession of alcohol!
Something tells me both of them will be covered under new orders.

[chumley]

Effective tomorrow 7/16:
Tonto and Prescott have downgraded to Stage 1.
All other NFs in Arizona have rescinded all fire restrictions.

There are still numerous closure areas due to fire burn scars and/or flooding concerns. Check with the appropriate agency before heading out.

[The_Eagle]

Thank God we had some rain. Driving North tonight, I passed an idiot pulling a U-Haul, dragging chains, shooting sparks all over. I did roll down the window and let him know.

[chumley]

I did roll down the window and let him know.

Thankfully “target” shooting is also allowed now too! Thanks!