All campfire and smoking restrictions affecting the Tonto National Forest will be lifted, effective Wednesday, July 9th, at 8 am.
The fire restrictions, which covered the entire forest, are no longer needed because fire danger has been reduced by increased moisture & humidity from the annual monsoon season. These wetter conditions prompted officials to lift forest fire restrictions.
“Although campfires & smoking will now be allowed throughout the forest, visitors should properly extinguish cigarettes in ashtrays, & ashes in a campfire ring should be cold enough to touch before they are left,” said Tonto NF Fire Staff Officer Clay Templin. “Campfires should be put out by drowning with water & stirring with a shovel to ensure the fire is cold.”
Forest Supervisor Gene Blankenbaker extended special thanks to the visiting public during the fire restrictions which began May 8th. “We want to thank everyone for their patience & understanding while we had to restrict access & activities on the Tonto during this fire season. We appreciate our visitors’ support of the restrictions. Arizona had a challenging fire season that was made a little easier by the small number of human-caused fires.”