Tonto National Forest

The Tonto National Forest (Tonto) will rescind Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions beginning at 8 a.m. on July 16.  The onset of monsoon activity across the forest, and a decrease in fire danger have prompted fire officials to ease fire restrictions.

During Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following remains prohibited on the Tonto:

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 will transfer command of the Middle Fire back to the Tonto National Forest at 6 a.m. on Friday, July 16, 2021. This is the final update from the Type 2 Incident Management Team. The Team extends its sincere thanks to the local communities for their support and hospitality throughout this incident.

Highlights: Cooperation between firefighters and local resource advisors is helping the incident management team meet resource objectives and agency expectations. During each shift, land management professionals from the Tonto National Forest are providing fire managers with insights on how to meet objectives effectively while serving the public and protecting values at risk. Under the guidance of the local agency, one of the objectives developed for the Middle Fire is to minimize impacts to heritage, natural, recreation, watershed and wildlife values.

Firefighters are working toward completion of incident objectives, with a focus on providing protection for structures and areas of high value. Yesterday, fire managers flew into the fire area to assess structures that could be impacted by the fire, including private ranches. Firefighters created defensible space around a critical piece of U.S. Forest Service communications equipment by removing flammable vegetation around the area. Defensible space provides a buffer that will help stop or slow fire progression to protect these values

Highlights: Yesterday, precipitation fell over the Middle Fire reducing fire activity in some areas of the fire. Despite receiving a quarter to a half inch of rain, the fire grew over 350 acres to the north through grass and light brush over Long Mesa.

Highlights: At the direction of the local agency, Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 is developing modified suppression tactics for the Middle Fire while concentrating on public and firefighter safety. The operational emphasis for the fire is focused on protecting existing infrastructure as well as significant natural and cultural resources. 

The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope, assumed command of the Middle Fire this morning, Friday, July 9, 2021 at 6 a.m. A Type 2 Incident Management Team brings additional resources and management capabilities to manage the increasingly complex fire.

Tonto National Forest officials will terminate the Stage 3 Forest Closure Wednesday, July 7, 8 a.m. in coordination with other forests. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions with Recreational Shooting Restrictions will remain in effect.

The Tonto received between 1/2-2 inches of rain across a majority of the forest over the last week. Although this has lowered fire danger significantly over the short term, hotter drier weather will move in during the week raising the fire danger again, but more moisture is expected to come into the area near the end of the week. 

While many wildfires cause little damage to the land and pose few threats post-fire, some fires create situations that require special efforts to prevent further damage or loss after the fire is out. For example, loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion, runoff may increase and cause flooding, and sediment may move downstream damaging roads and infrastructure or put endangered species and cultural resources at risk.

Tonto National Forest officials will close the state’s largest national forest due to ongoing extreme fire danger beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 25.

The forest is implementing this forest closure as a precaution to protect the health and safety of the public, employees and firefighters by reducing the risk of human-caused fires.

“We understand that closing the Tonto impacts businesses, partner agencies and the public, but protecting life and property is a priority for the forest.” said Neil Bosworth, Forest Supervisor.