Forest Closures Reduced On Coconino National Forest

For Immediate Release

July 6 , 2006  

Contact:  Connie Birkland 928-203-7505

Flagstaff- Beginning Friday morning July 7, 8:00 am, the Coconino National Forest will lift most area closures; however, “Stage I” fire restrictions remain in place.  This means no campfires or charcoal grills except within a developed recreation site and no smoking other than in an enclosed vehicle, building or developed recreation site.

Closures in effect:

• Brins Fire area, north of Sedona and along Oak Creek Canyon.
• Manzanita Campground, Encinoso Day-Use Picnic Area and the Oak Creek Visitor Center.
• National Forest access to Oak Creek and parking along Highway 89A north of Midgely Bridge to the entrance of Slide Rock State Park.  Grasshopper Point will remain open.
• This closure and public safety alert will remain in place during the monsoon season given the potential for rock and debris slides from the Brins fire area.  Individuals traveling through Oak Creek Canyon need to be aware of dangerous rock and debris slides given significant monsoon rains (1/2 inch or greater).

Opening most areas of the Coconino National Forest is a result of higher humidity and scattered rain showers across the forest. “Rain that has fallen over the past few days has reduced the fire danger to ‘High’, however because we are still in high fire danger we feel that it is necessary to continue campfire and smoking restrictions,” said Bruce Greco, Fire Management Officer for the Coconino National Forest.  Forest officials will continue to monitor forest conditions and will announce the lifting of campfire and smoking restrictions as soon as conditions warrant.

Links:

Forest Orders Page

Fire Restrictions Order

Emergency Fire Closure Order

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