Tonto, Coconino NF Fire Restrictions

[Red Rabbit]

https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest/posts/pfbid0Jrrv7BX23kbkgspmLiLpKm26T3maVaKmaRKyPuvoGzSxLAcCeayx1hHt6iuTP6LVl?__cft__[0]=AZbsNPksf13BSbn8snTcA97Zr0kP4RQ2ThfLWWFX6aoAdY_1ykckcxqAhcS7zKwuYCl1BYehLzP8TIX80NLuzQUfIdmylOiTLym3LgfdQ8-VAtG99G31sdbWZMacq1_p-clMgjIP51YBCYDxBVAbQ5SsYh5Cr0__STg55mBqUScCmnmXzwXOBy53rCs1jOVCwck&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

 

With increasing fire danger across Arizona, Tonto National Forest officials will implement emergency stage 1 fire and recreational shooting restrictions for the entire forest beginning Friday, May 15, at 8 a.m.

Visit the Tonto National Forest website to learn more about stage 1 fire restrictions, including recreational shooting restrictions, and exemptions to the rule: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/tonto/fire/fire-restrictions.

Prohibited acts when visiting the Tonto during stage 1 fire restrictions:

Building or using a fire outside a Forest Service installed metal or concrete fire structure within a designated developed site such as campgrounds or picnic areas.

A designated site has permanent fire rings or grills maintained by the Forest Service. A stove fire must be inside a fully enclosed metal stove or grill with a chimney at least 5 feet tall and a spark arrestor with ¼‑inch mesh.

Smoking, except inside an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or in a cleared area at least 3 feet wide that is free of flammable material.

Discharging firearms, including air rifles or gas guns.

Emergency stage 1 fire restrictions also include recreational shooting restrictions to protect the public, wildland firefighters, and our natural resources from the risk of a recreational shooting-caused ignition due to Very High fire danger conditions across the forest. Restrictions will remain in effect until Forest Service officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

[Viper]

Badly needed. 

[wildwoody]

well done. Was hoping

[ctafoya]

Ha, as there is a controlled burn in happy jack right now. Starting to get windy too.

[Red Rabbit]

Coconino NF Stage 1 Restrictions begin on May 21.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/newsroom/releases/coconino-nf-enter-stage-1-fire-restrictions-may-21

 

[ctafoya]

I was not aware that different NF have different restrictions. Tonto stage 1 no shooting, Coconino stage 1 or 2 no mention of no shooting. 

[catclaw]

If you have private property that is adjacent to forest do the same restrictions apply?

[PRDATR]

1 hour ago, catclaw said:

If you have private property that is adjacent to forest do the same restrictions apply?

Possibly, technically not but a bit of common sense should be used. If a subdivision is within the National Forest the rule should apply.

[Red Rabbit]

3 hours ago, catclaw said:

If you have private property that is adjacent to forest do the same restrictions apply?

Coconino County has generally duplicated the CNF restrictions.  Where I live in Kachina Village is in Coconino county and follows the county restrictions.  I imaging something will be posted next week.  Flagstaff is entering Stage 1 restrictions May 21 also. So check your county and city restrictions.

 

[Red Rabbit]

Arizona State Trust lands are under Stage 1 fire restrictions as of May 15,

https://dffm.az.gov/newsroom/fire-restrictions

 

[catclaw]

My question is if you have a fire on private property can the USFS guys take enforcement action or does it have to be the sheriff

[verdehunter]

14 hours ago, catclaw said:

My question is if you have a fire on private property can the USFS guys take enforcement action or does it have to be the sheriff

If it is not federal land, no the FS cannot. The sheriff can and will if the county has restrictions.

[catclaw]

That's what I figured.  If he can get through a locked gate ¼ mile away

[IA Born]

On 5/16/2026 at 8:59 AM, ctafoya said:

I was not aware that different NF have different restrictions. Tonto stage 1 no shooting, Coconino stage 1 or 2 no mention of no shooting. 

That's because AGFD pushed back hard against Coconino NF several years ago, saying shooting restrictions were against sportsmen's rights.  It got really political really fast.   Coconino NF caved and allowed shooting to stay in place.  There is also the fact that the Tonto NF and the Coronado NF have more grassland. There have been several starts in those areas from recreational shooters, sadly.