Dropping water levels prompt Bartlett Lake ramp closures

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. More info

Upper Salt River rafting permits on Tonto National Forest, application deadline is Jan. 15, 2010

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 Instructions for applying are included in the application packets. The application deadline is January 15, 2010. More info

Salt River Application 2010 (pdf)

Tonto National Forest to hold series of Travel Management Planning open houses during November

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. More info

Tonto National Forest fire officials plan prescribed fires near Whispering Pines and Pine this week

Payson, AZ (November 2, 2009) –More prescribed fire operations are planned for this week near Whispering Pines and Pine announced Tonto National Forest fire specialists today. More info

Arizona Members Needed for Forest Service Advisory

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. More info

Christmas tree-cutting tags now sold out in four of seven cutting areas on Arizona national forests

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. More Info
Christmas Trees!

Tonto National Forest begins prescription fires on Pleasant Valley Ranger District Next Week

Young, Arizona (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.  More Info

Tonto National Forest plans prescribed burns on upper portions of Mt. Ord next week

Payson, Ariz. (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. More Info

Prescribed fires planned near Globe, Miami through end of year

Globe, Ariz. (May 5, 2009) -- Three prescribed fire projects will be conducted by Globe Ranger District fire management specialists on the Tonto National Forest, from May through the end of the year. The projects target approximately 6,000 acres north of Globe on Highway 60 in the Seven Mile Wash Area, 400 acres in Timber Camp/Carol Spring Mountains, and 20 acres of miscellaneous piles around Superior and Globe. More Info