Campfire and smoking restrictions begin Friday in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.
Contributed Article/Courtesy Forest Service
SPRINGERVILLE – Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented at 12:01 a.m. on May 7 on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The purpose of these restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and elevated fire weather conditions.
Fire restrictions for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests include allowing campfires only in designated developed campgrounds and picnic areas and must be in a Forest Service provided metal grill or metal fire pits. Fires in rock rings will not be allowed. The use of pressurized, petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices is acceptable, provided they meet the fire underwriter’s specifications for safety. Smoking is limited to a vehicle, building, or three-foot area cleared of all flammable materials. Fireworks, explosives, and incendiary devices are always prohibited on National Forest System lands. To view Forest Order 03-01-21-09: Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, please go to Alerts & Notices. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices
Criteria used to determine when to implement fire restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, and available firefighting resources. Fire restrictions will remain in effect until the forest receives significant precipitation.
The following campgrounds and picnic areas have been designated for campfire use:
Alpine Ranger District, 928-339-5000
• Buffalo Crossing Campground
• Horse Springs Campground
• Aspen Campground
• Diamond Rock Campground
• Alpine Divide Campground
• Luna Lake Campground
• Luna Lake Group Campground
• Hannagan Campground
• KP Cienega Campground
• Deer Creek Campground
• Raccoon Campground
• Hannagan Lodge
Black Mesa Ranger District, 928-535-7300
• Black Canyon Rim Campground
• Canyon Point Campground
• Sinkhole Campground
• Rim Campground
• Mogollon Campground
• Crook Campground
• Woods Canyon Group Campground
• Spillway Campground and Group Site
• Aspen Campground
• Camp Shadow Pines
Clifton Ranger District, 928-687-8600
• Strayhorse Campground
• Honeymoon Campground
• Lower Juan Miller Campground
• Granville Campground
• Black Jack Campground
• Coal Creek Campground
Lakeside Ranger District, 928-368-2100
• Los Burros Campground
• Lewis Canyon Campground
Springerville Ranger District, 928-333-6280
• Rainbow Campground
• Cutthroat Campground
• Brook Char Campground
• Grayling Campground
• Apache Trout Campground
• Winn Group Campground
• Winn Campground
• Rolfe C. Hoyer Campground
• Benny Creek Campround
Please contact the individual ranger districts between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for further details regarding campgrounds and fire restrictions.
A new Southwest Area Fire Restrictions Map was recently released. The map is a culmination of work from federal, state, and local agencies who hope to explain to the public where it is safe to have fires and where it’s not. The map shows all fire restrictions in New Mexico and Arizona, regardless of jurisdiction. http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/asnf/safety
For information on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, check out our website at www.fs.usda.gov/asnf.
