Arizona’s national forests have lifted fire restrictions in much of the high country, but a large part of Tonto National Forest remains closed.

The closure is due to impacts of the Bush Fire, which burned nearly 200,000 acres this summer. Some parts of the burn area could experience flash floods during the summer and winter rains. The closure is expected to remain in effect until March 2021. 

“Until we get past our monsoon threat and the winter rains, and we start getting more vegetation on the ground and we allow that fire area to heal, it’s really a public safety closure,” said Eric Solomon, a spokesman with Tonto National Forest. 

The closure also helps ensure that first responders won’t have to perform rescues in the area, he said. Parts of the Tonto that are open remain under fire restrictions.

“You know the Bush Fire burn area is closed, but it’s closed for a good reason and with the rest of the closures being lifted, folks will be able to explore maybe different parts of the forest that they haven’t been to before, hopefully,” Solomon said.