Tonto National Forest Officials To Issue Emergency Fire Ban
A prolonged winter and a rainy spring helped extra vegetation grow in the Tonto National Forest.
While the rainy May held off an early start to the fire season, recent low humidity rates are causing Tonto National Forest to dry up. Without any recent precipitation, forest officials will institute emergency fire restrictions beginning Friday.
Carrie Templin, who works for Tonto National Forest, said the wet May allowed for a delay in the fire restriction, but it also caused extra vegetation to grow. While burning fires are allowed, they must be done in designated locations.
“We have a lot of grass on the ground, lots of grass cover. So, when you got a little dry grass, it doesn’t take much of a spark to start a fire,” Templin said.
She said there will be active patrols of the forest watching for illegal fires. Citations for illegal burning can carry a $5,000 fine.
Because fires can also be started from something more than an unattended campfire, forest officials will also enforce other fire prevention measures. One of those restrictions includes the banning of one recreational sport during the summer months.
“Target shooting will be prohibited in the Tonto. Because those sparks from ammunition have started fires in the past,” Templin said.
The U.S. Forest Service is also working with ADOT to monitor drivers. Templin said chains dragging on the road and cars parked on dry grass have also been known to spark fires.
