ROAD TRIPS

Most of Tonto National Forest will close starting July 2. Here's what we know

Weldon B. Johnson
Arizona Republic

People heading to Tonto National Forest for the Fourth of July weekend will find their choices limited. Forest officials are closing most of that vast area because of ongoing wildfires and the threat of additional blazes.

The closure is set to begin at 6 a.m. Thursday, July 2. It includes campgrounds as well as dispersed camping. Four lakes will remain open — Roosevelt, Canyon, Bartlett and Saguaro — along with access to lower Salt River recreation sites.

“We are currently seeing record-setting fire danger conditions and new fire starts have become increasingly difficult to control,” Tonto National Forest Fire Management Officer Taiga Rohrer said in a written statement. “This closure represents the best option at this time to deal with these conditions and both reduce the risk to the public and protect their forest lands for the future.”

Forest supervisor Neil Bosworth said the decision to close the forest was based on public and firefighter safety during a time of extreme fire danger.

“We understand that closing the Tonto impacts businesses, partner agencies and the public as well as our restoration and other work on the forest,” Bosworth said. “Everyone is prohibited from entering the forest, unless specifically permitted for emergency activities. Steps to minimize the risk of fires and the danger to people are more important than recreation at the moment."

Violations of the restrictions are considered a Class B misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to 5,000, up to six months in jail or both.

What's open and closed in Tonto National Forest

A complete description of what's open and closed is at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices. “If it’s not on the list of areas and sites that are open, it’s closed,” Tonto National Forest spokeswoman Anne Thomas said.

Cave Creek Ranger District: At Bartlett Reservoir, the Yellow Cliffs and Jojoba boat launches, SB Cove and Rattlesnake day-use areas and Bartlett Marina will be open.

Mesa Ranger District: Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake and these sites along the lower Salt River will be open: Acacia, Blue Point, Boulder, Coons Bluff, Goldfield, Granite Reef, Laguna, Palo Verde, Pebble Beach, Phon D. Sutton, Saguaro del Norte and Water Users.

Globe Ranger District: No open sites.

Payson Ranger District: Houston Mesa Campground (Black Bear, Elk and Mountain Lion loops) will be open.

Pleasant Valley Ranger District: No open sites.

Tonto Basin Ranger District: These locations around Roosevelt Lake will be open: Cholla Campground, Cottonwood Picnic Area, Frazier Horse Campground, Grapevine (boat ramp only), Orange Peel Day Use Shoreline Area, Vineyard Picnic Area and Windy Hill Campground. Bermuda Flat, Cholla Bay and Bachelor Cove shoreline areas will be closed.

These forest roads will be open

  • Bush Highway (Forest Road 204).
  • FR 19 to Bartlett Reservoir's Jojoba boat launch and Bartlett Marina.
  • FR 459A to Rattlesnake day-use area.
  • FR 459 to Yellow Cliffs boat launch and SB Cove day-use area.
  • FR 582 from State Route 87 to the Buckhead Mesa Landfill.
  • FR 583 from SR 87 to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.

Reach the reporter at weldon.johnson@arizonarepublic.com. Or follow him on Twitter at @weldonjohnson.

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