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Safety Alerts, Fires, Restrictions, Advisories and Current Information

Road Conditions and Closures

ADOT has closed SR 273 and SR 261 until spring. SR 273 is closed from mile post 382 to 396, SR 261 is closed from mile post 395 to 408. SR 273 is paved from SR 261 to the intersection of FS87 (Greer road). The remainder of paving will take place next year when ADOT reopens the road, you can expect construction delays from the intersection of FS87/SR273 to the reservation boundary at that time. It is that time of year again when road conditions can change very rapidly. Please call ahead to check the local weather if you plan on traveling in our area.

» Winter Recreation &
    Travel Information

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News

¤¤ Winter Weather Closes Several Forest Roads, 12/23
¤¤ Sunset Prescribed Burn Scheduled, 11/09
¤¤ Friday Update on the Bachelor Fire, 10/23
¤¤ Thursday Update on the Bachelor Fire, 10/22
¤¤ Update on the Bachelor Fire, 10/21
¤¤ Progress Made on Three Wildfires, 10/20
¤¤ Three Wildfires Start on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, 10/19
¤¤ ASNFs Use Stimulus Money to Fund 36 Projects, 09/16
¤¤ Christmas tree permits can be purchased starting October 12th, 09/15
¤¤ Fire Activity Near Chevelon Cyn Lake, 09/02
¤¤ Fire Activity Continues, 08/19
¤¤ Call to Arizona Artists, 08/18
¤¤ Recent Fire Activity on the A-S

Notices

Prescribed Fire Activity
Prescribed fire season is now underway so smoke may be visible in various locations throughout the Apache-Sitgreaves. Dial 593 or 928-333-3412 to listen to a recorded message about current prescribed fire activity.

Arizona State Law on Off-Highway Vehicles
Requires annual purchase of an Off-Highway Vehicle Decal to operate any ATV or OHV in Arizona that is designed by manufacturer primarily for off-highway use and weighs less than 1,800 pounds.   read more »

Motorized Travel Management
The rule requires each National Forest and Grassland to designate where the public can operate motor vehicles.
  read more »

Forest Plan Revision
We are revising the strategic direction for the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Your input is important to us.
  read more »

Recreation Facility Analysis
Recreation Facility Analysis (RFA) is a study tool being used nationally to help national forests create a sustainable program that aligns their developed recreation sites with visitors' desires and use.   read more »

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Map of Arizona showing the location of the Apache-Sitgreaves Forests

The Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests, administered as one national forest, encompass over two million acres of magnificent mountain country in east-central Arizona. The Sitgreaves National Forest was named for Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves, a government topographical engineer who conducted the first scientific expedition across Arizona in the early 1850’s... read more »

On the Sitgreaves, the major attractions for the visitors from the desert are the Mogollon Rim and eight cold-water lakes. From the Mogollon Rim’s 7,600- foot elevation, vista points provide inspiring views of the low lands to the south. The Rim (pronounced: muggy-own) extends two hundred miles from Flagstaff into western New Mexico.

The Apache National Forest ranges in elevation from 3,500 feet to nearly 11,500 feet and is named for the tribes that settled in this area. The area from Mount Baldy east to Escudilla Mountain is often referred to as the White Mountains of Arizona. From the edge of the Mogollon Rim south of Hannagan Meadow the land drops precipitously into the high desert around Clifton.

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Winter Weather Closes Several Forest Roads

Over the past few weeks, there has been a considerable amount of snow fall in Arizona’s high country. As a result, many of the roads on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are closed and/or impassable due to the snow and/or mud. The following are the current road closures on the forest; however, drivers should call the local ranger district office to inquire about the most up-to-date conditions.
news release »

Black River Land Exchange

The Final Environmental Impact Statement for Black River Exchange is now available on the Projects & Plans webpage.

 

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests Use Stimulus Money
to Fund 36 Projects

The Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) have received over $20 million as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to fund projects for hazardous fuel treatments and the improvement and maintenance of forest facilities, trails, and roads.

Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Tom Tidwell, recently announced, "the purpose of the economic recovery legislation is to create as many jobs as quickly as possible." Tidwell added, "As we implement this legislation we will not increase the federal workforce; we will spend all funds on targeted ready projects; and we will begin our work promptly and complete it within 1 to 2 years for most activities."

The ASNFs will use this stimulus money to fund 36 "targeted ready" projects—or those ready to begin ground work—through the employment of several local contractors. Some of these projects began earlier this year—including two at Hoyer Campground; while the remaining projects are scheduled to begin later this fall or early next spring.     news release »

Chris Knopp, Forest Supervisor of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests stated, "providing a tree worthy of the U.S.Capitol lawn has been both a great responsibility and honor for us. This is a wonderful opportunity for Arizonans to showcase the state’s uniqueness, diversity and beauty."   news release »

Rodeo-Chediski Prescribed Burn Project Seeking Public Comment

The 2002 Rodeo-Chediski fire still burns in the memories of those most impacted by its devastating effects. Declared the worst fire disaster in Arizona's history and bearing a price tag of over $50 million, it burned over 461,000 acres and consumed 491 structures. Undoubtedly, those 50,000 residents impacted by the subsequent evacuations would wish to avoid another such catastrophic event.

To reduce the risk of future high intensity fires within the Rodeo-Chediski Fire area, the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests are proposing a prescribed burn project slated to take 10-15 years to complete, considering all initial treatments and follow-up maintenance burns. Other objectives are to improve forest health in this fire dependant ecosystem and to sustain improvements to wildlife habitat for mule deer, turkey and elk that occurred as a result of the fire.
news release »
project information »

Update on Forest Service Motorized Travel Planning

Motorized travel management planning continues on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. The Forests have contracted with a private firm to assist in the analysis processes necessary to implement the Travel Management Rule (TMR). Using information and data supplied by the Forest Service, the contractor will manage the process and organize, assemble and compile the required documents. Having a contractor perform these time-intensive tasks enables Forest Service specialists to provide their professional expertise to this effort, while also continuing work on other important Forests' priorities, such as forest thinning projects that reduce the risks of wildfire to local communities, and forest plan revision.   read more »

USDA Forest Service - Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
Last Modified:  Thursday, 28 January 2010 at 15:14:58 EST