Coronado National Forest and the Arizona Game and Fish Department remind outdoor recreationists that the onset of summer means changed conditions across the Forest.
Officials note that as temperatures warm, vegetation is greening up and water is becoming scarce on the 16 “Sky Island” mountain ranges that compose the Coronado. As a result, wildlife movements and patterns are altered, a change which requires renewed situational awareness by outdoor enthusiasts.
The Nogales Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest expects to conduct the Gardner Prescribed Fire as early as April 9, 2018. The project area consists of National Forest System lands in the southeastern portion of the Santa Rita Mountains in southeastern Arizona.
The burn area boundaries lie between Gardner Canyon on the north and Hog Canyon on the south. Fire managers expect to complete burning while environmental and fuels conditions remain favorable for manageable fire activity.
As the Safford Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest continues work on the Little Bull Prescribed Fire, a closure is now in effect to provide for public safety while prescribed burning is conducted place within the project area.
Location:
§ Douglas Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest
§ West side of the Dragoon Mountains
§ Nearest town is Dragoon, AZ
Start Date: Feb. 10, 2018, 11:45 a.m. Size: 2896 acres Percent Contained: 74%
Cause: human-caused, under investigation
Location:
Start Date: Feb. 10, 2018, 11:45 a.m.
Size: 2896 acres
Percent Contained: 15%
Structures Lost: 0
Cause: Human caused, under investigation
Location:
Start Date: Feb. 10, 2018, 11:45 a.m. Size: 1500 acres Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: human caused, under investigation
The Safford Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest expects to conduct the Little Bull Prescribed Fire as early as February 07, 2018. The project area consists of National Forest System lands in the southeastern portion of the Galiuro Mountains in southeastern Arizona, and is included in the Coronado’s Galiuro FireScape Project.
The Santa Catalina Ranger District of the Coronado National Forest has temporarily closed and locked gates on seasonal roads and day-use sites in the upper elevations of Mt. Lemmon due to weather-related unsafe driving conditions. The main road leading up the mountain, the Catalina Highway, will remain open but may close periodically due to weather-related issues.
The Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista Ranger District, will close Carr Canyon and Forest Road 368 from the bridge crossing to the end of the access road near Ramsey Vista Campground when winter weather causes potentially hazardous conditions. The road is expected to reopen March 1, 2018, but may open earlier if weather conditions are favorable.
While the road is closed both Ramsey Vista and Reef Townsite campgrounds will be closed. Walk-in traffic is welcome on Carr Road. The lower picnic area and adjacent parking area will be open to visitors.
State Route 366 has reopened on Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona after a six-week closure due to the danger of flooding and debris flows after the Frye Fire, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
The road, also known as Swift Trail, connects with US 191 about 20 miles south of Safford. It had been closed at Ladybug Saddle near milepost 131, but as of Thursday, Sept. 14, it’s open again to Columbine at milepost 143.
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