Fire restrictions coming to Tonto National Forest

PHOENIX — The U.S. Forest Service announced that fire restrictions will begin at Tonto National Forest on Tuesday.

The restrictions beginning at 8 a.m., include building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device outside of metal fire rings and metal pedestal grills provided by the Forest Service.

There will also be restrictions to operating internal combustion power tools, using welding equipment or torches with open flames, operating combustion engines without spark-arresting devices in effective working order and meeting either USDA or SAE standards.

Discharging a firearm is prohibited with the exception of taking game under the Arizona hunting laws and so is smoking within an enclosed vehicle, building or developed recreation site.

Violation of these fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.

For more information on the restrictions, you can visit Tonto National Forest’s website.

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