Maximum fire restrictions in effect
By: Larisa Bogardus , The Independent 06/17/2004
Maximum fire restrictions are now in effect on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, meaning no open flames of any kind are permitted anywhere on the forests.
Effective June 17, no campfires are allowed anywhere on the forests, including developed campgrounds. Campers are permitted to use liquid or pressurized gas stoves and lanterns and generators equipped with a spark arrestor.
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Outdoor smoking is banned entirely. Tobacco can be used indoors where allowed or in a vehicle if the ashtray is used. Chain saw use is also prohibited.
Fireworks are never allowed on any forest at any time.
Also as a result of the extreme fire danger, some areas of the forests, have been closed to the public because access/egress would be limited or impossible in the event of a fire.
On the Alpine Rander District, those areas are the Bearwallow Wilderness; the area south and west of Alpine; the KP Fire area; the Three Forks Fire area.
On the Springerville Ranger District, the closures also include the area northwest and south of Greer, including Mt. Baldy Wilderness; and the area south of Brookchar and Grayling campgrounds at Big Lake.
On the Lakeside Ranger District, the area north of Pinetop between FR 182 and 45; an area north of Lakeside; and the forest south of Show Low.
On the Black Mesa Ranger District, Forest Road 9350 is closed; Promontory Butte is closed; and the Larson area west and south of Forest Lakes is closed.
Although wide-ranging, the closures total only 10 percent of the forests' total acreage. Maps of closure areas are available online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf and at district offices.
Many other parts of the Apache-Sitgreaves remain open to camping, fishing and hiking. Campers should have a shovel, extra water and a pail for use in a fire emergency. Restrictions and closures will be lifted when adequate precipitation is measured Forest-wide.
Violators of the restrictions are subject to fines of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for a group, and/or incarceration for up to six months.
Level one fire restrictions were imposed May 26, limiting fires and other open flame to developed campgrounds and smoking within a 3-foot diameter of bare earth.
Since then, high winds, lower humidity and lack of precipitation have turned the forest into a tinderbox.
"Live" trees are showing moisture content as low as 10 percent, Forests Supervisor Elaine Zieroth said. "They don't know they're dead yet."
Fuels on the ground are showing a moisture content of 2 percent ˜ less than kiln-dried lumber.
"We're to the point anything will cause a fire," Zieroth said. "It's so dry, if you drop a match, you're guaranteed a fire."
A good example is a 2002 grass fire caused by sparks from a flat tire's rim that scorched 10,000 acres and came within a quarter mile of Eagar and Springerville.
Due to the extreme danger of fire, the forest is eligible for "severity funding," allocated by the USDA Forest Service based in Washington, D.C., forest spokesman Bob Dyson said.
That money has enabled the forest to bring in additional resources until the fire danger abates.
Those resources include: Three additional tankers, bringing the total to 17; two additional bulldozers, for a total of seven; two Type 2 hand crews, stationed at Springerville and Lakeside Ranger Districts; one single engine air tanker (SEAT) based at Springerville Airport; and 19 additional law enforcement and firefighters. The funds will also pay for longer working days and seven-day staffing for the above resources and also the nine lookout towers.
More information on statewide fire and smoking restrictions is available by visiting http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire. Camping and fire information is available at the Apache-Sitgreaves web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf.
