PHOENIX (February 21, 2010) – Tonto National forest recreation specialists announced today that the Acacia day use area at Canyon Lake will be closed starting March 1 until April 30 due to construction projects.
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PHOENIX (January 26, 2010) – Last week’s storm activities have prompted more closures on the Tonto National Forest announced forest officials today. Due to the rain, melting snow, and more predicted precipitation this week, there are a number of off-highway vehicle (OHV) areas which are currently closed: the whole Sycamore area, including Forest Road (FR) 403 in the lower Sycamore area and FR 402 in the upper Sycamore (Sugarloaf area) and the Mesquite Wash area, FR 160. Other closures due to flooding washes include FR 11, 1845, 1704, 1333, 3456. It is advised against using Forest Road 143 due to the snow pack. The Mt. Ord Road is closed due to the snow pack.
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PHOENIX (January 22, 2010) – This week’s storm activites have prompted the closure of several roads and recreation sites on the Tonto National Forest including North Lake, Horseshoe Dam, Seven Springs, Needle Rock and Bartlett Dam roads on the Cave Creek Ranger district, and Butcher Jones, Coon Bluff, and Granite Reef recreation sites on the Mesa Ranger district.
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PHOENIX (January 20, 2010) – This week’s storm activites have prompted Tonto National Forest officials to temporarily close North Lake and Horseshoe Dam roads on the Cave Creek Ranger district.
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The Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s office located in Phoenix and the six district administrative offices located on the forest will be open for business from 8:00 a.m. to noon on December 24, 2009, closed all day for Christmas, Friday, Dec. 25, and will return to their regular operating schedules on Mon., Dec. 28.
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The Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s office located in Phoenix and the six district administrative offices located on the forest will be open for business from 8:00 a.m. to noon on December 24, 2009, closed all day Friday, Dec. 25, and will return to their regular operating schedules on Mon., Dec. 28.
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PHOENIX (December 9, 2009) – Forest Service officials announced today that of almost 6,500 national forest Christmas tree-cutting tags being sold by their corporate partners, Big 5 Sporting Goods stores, less than 1,000 tags now remain. Brisk sales began Oct. 10 at 17 selected Big 5 Sporting Goods stores throughout Arizona.
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PHOENIX (November 12, 2009) – Dropping water levels at Bartlett Lake have prompted Tonto National Forest officials to close off the paved boat ramps providing access to the lake.
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Phoenix, Ariz. (Nov. 10, 2009) – Rafting permit applications for the Upper Salt River Canyon Wilderness are now available from the Tonto National Forest. They can be obtained by calling the Globe Ranger District at (928) 402-6200 or by visiting the Tonto’s website, www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto. Instructions for applying are included in the application packets. The application deadline is January 15, 2010.
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Payson, AZ (November 26, 2009) –More prescribed fire operations are planned for this week near Whispering Pines and Pine announced Tonto National Forest fire specialists today.
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Albuquerque, NM (October 26, 2009) – The Forest Service is seeking people to serve on three new Resource Advisory Committees in Arizona under provisions of Title II of the Secure Rural Schools Act of 2008. Nominations are due to the appropriate RAC Coordinator by November 16, 2009.
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PHOENIX (October 26, 2009) – Forest Service officials announced today that there will be a series of Travel Management Planning open houses during the month of November. The public is invited to come and share ideas about the forest’s system of roads, trails, and/or areas, review the proposed system, and submit comments about the proposal.
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PHOENIX (October 20, 2009) – Forest Service officials announced today that their Arizona partners, Big 5 Sporting Goods stores, have sold the majority of the Christmas tree-cutting tags in four out of seven Christmas tree-cutting areas. Brisk sales began Oct. 10 at 17 select Big 5 Sporting Goods stores throughout Arizona. Of the 6,375 tags available for purchase, only 2,689 tags remain in three cutting areas.
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Acres: 773
Start date: August 30, 2009
Cause: Under Investigation
Location: 13 miles northeast of Payson, AZ
Containment: 45 percent
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, manzanita, oak brush
Terrain: Steep, rugged
Resources: 10 crews, 16 engines, 8 water tender, 4 dozers
Total personnel: 402
Available air support: 3 helicopters

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Acres: 773
Start date: August 30, 2009
Cause: Under Investigation
Location: 13 miles northeast of Payson, AZ
Containment: 20 percent
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, manzanita, oak brush
Terrain: Steep, rugged
Resources: 10 crews, 18 engines, 3 water tender, 4 dozers
Total personnel: 450
Available air support: 3 helicopters, 2 air tankers

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Summary: The Peeley fire, southwest of Payson, Ariz, is
burning west of Mt. Peeley in the Mazatzal Wilderness. The lightning-caused
fire was reported on August 22. Crews are conducting burn-out operations
below the north side of Mt. Peeley along the Arizona Trail (Trail 23).

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Acres: 500
Start date: August 30, 2009
Cause: Under Investigation
Location: 13 miles northeast of Payson, AZ
Containment: 10 percent
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, manzanita, oak brush
Terrain: Steep, rugged
Resources: 5 crews, 15 engines, 1 water tender
Total personnel: 192
Available air support: 3 helicopters, 2 air tankers 

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Summary: The Water Wheel fire, north of Payson, Ariz, began
in the vicnity of the Water Wheel Campground which is located on Houston
Mesa Road (Rt. 199). The fire began south of Whispering Pines subdivision
and north of Beaver Valley subdivision. The fire was reported around 1400
hrs. today.  

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Summary: The Water Wheel fire, north of Payson, Ariz, began in the
vicnity of the Water Wheel Campground which is located on Houston Mesa Road
(Rt. 199). The fire began south of Whispering Pines subdivision. It was reported
around 1352 hours today. The Gila County Sheriff’s office is evacuating Water Wheel
campground and Whispering Pines subdivision. We have no further information about
the subdivision at this time.

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Summary: The Water Wheel fire, north of Payson, Ariz, began
in the vicnity of the Water Wheel Campground which is located on Houston
Mesa Road (Rt. 199). The fire began south of Whispering Pines subdivision.
It was reported around 1352 hours today. Heavy air tankers are en route and
a Type 2 incident management team has been ordered. The Gila County Sheriff’s
office is evacuating Water Wheel campground and Whispering Pines subdivision.
We have no further information about the subdivision at this time.

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Summary: The lightning-caused Rim fire, on the Payson Ranger
District east of Washington Park, 12 miles NE of Payson, Ariz., began on
July 20. The fire is being managed under a modified suppression strategy
due to concerns about steep topography and firefighter safety. Fire managers
are using existing roads, trails, and topgraphic features to contain the
fire. Recent rains have moderated fire intensity, creating burning
conditions which will achieve resource benefit objectives. 

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Summary: The lightning-caused Rim fire, on the Payson Ranger District
east of Washington Park, 13 miles NE of Payson, Ariz., began on July 20. The fire is
being managed under a modified suppression strategy due to concerns about steep
topography and firefighter safety. Fire managers are using existing roads, trails,
and topgraphic features to contain the fire. Recent rains have moderated fire
intensity, creating burning conditions which will achieve resource benefit objectives. 

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Summary: The lightning-caused Rim fire, on the Payson Ranger
District east of Washington Park, 13 miles NE of Payson, Ariz., began on
July 20. The fire is being managed under a modified suppression strategy
due to concerns about steep topography and firefighter safety. Fire
managers are using existing roads, trails, and topgraphic features to
contain the fire. Recent rains have moderated fire intensity, creating
burning conditions which will achieve resource benefit objectives. 

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YOUNG (October 8, 2009) – Tonto National Forest fire management officials will start conducting a prescription fire in the Cherry analysis area on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District in mid-October. Operations will be contingent on optimal weather conditions. Beginning on Oct. 13, fire specialists will begin to create a black line around the burn block of approximately 2,500 acres. After the black line operation is complete, an aerial ignition process will be applied to the interior portion of the burn block. Burning is projected to continue through November. 
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PAYSON (October 6, 2009) – Forest Service fire management officials plan to begin conducting a prescribed burn next week on the upper portions of Mt. Ord, located two miles east of State Hwy 87 about halfway between Payson and Fountain Hills. Burning will be contingent on weather conditions and may take several weeks to complete.Smoke from the prescribed burn will be visible to travelers along the Beeline Highway, as well as to residents in the northeast valley, Payson, Tonto Basin and Sunflower.
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PHOENIX (September 30, 2009) – Christmas tree tag sales for cutting an individual Christmas tree on one of five Arizona national forests begins on Saturday, October 10 at 17 selected Big 5 Sporting Goods stores located throughout Arizona.
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MESA, Ariz. (September 30, 2009) – The Mesa Ranger District
is hosting an open house for prospective national forest volunteers at
the Mesa District Office, Oct. 10, 2009, 8 – 10 am.

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PHOENIX (September 8, 2009) – Forest officials announced
today that last year’s highly successful partnership with Arizona Big
5 Sporting Goods stores to sell Arizona national forest Christmas
tree-cutting tags will be repeated again this year, with over-the-counter
tag sales beginning at at selected Big 5 Sporting Goods stores on
Saturday, October 10.

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Payson, Ariz. (September 4, 2009) – The Water Wheel Fire, which was discovered
on Sun., Aug. 30 approximately 13 miles north of Payson, Ariz., is now 100 percent
contained. Management of the Water Wheel fire transferred from the Arizona Central West
Zone Incident Management Team to a local Type IV Incident Management Team from the Tonto
National Forest at 6 p.m. yesterday. 

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Acres: 773
Start date: August 30, 2009
Cause: Under Investigation
Location: 13 miles northeast of Payson, AZ
Containment: 90 percent
Fuels: Ponderosa pine, manzanita, oak brush
Terrain: Steep, rugged
Resources: 8 crews, 10 engines, 2 water tender, 3 dozers
Total personnel: 326
Available air support: 4 helicopters

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