Single Publication

Order No. 03-12-01-24-15

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Tonto National Forest
Cave Creek Ranger District

Horse Fire Public Safety NFS Road and Motorized Trails Emergency Closure

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) road and trails in the Cave Creek Ranger District, Tonto National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Roads and Trails”):

1. Using any motor vehicle on the Described Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(a) 2. Being on the Described Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
3. Being on the Described Trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a)
4. Using any motor vehicle on the Described Trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(b)

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. PersonswithForestServicePermitNo.FS-7700-48(PermitforUseofRoads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED ROAD AND TRAILS

The entire portion of National Forest System (NFS) Road 205, also known as Horseshoe Dam Road, starting from the junction of NFS Road 19, also known as Bartlett Dam Road, within Township 6 North, Range 6 East, Section 9, then following north until its terminus at Horseshoe Lake within Township 7 North, Range 6 East, Section 2.

The following Motorized Trails (MT) within the St. Clair OHV Area are closed:

MT-1104, starting from intersection with NFS Road 205, then following east to its terminus at the intersection of MT-532.

MT-1117, starting from the intersection with NFS Road 19, then following north then west to its terminus at the intersection with MT-532.

MT-532, starting at the intersection with NFS Road 19, then traveling northeast until the intersection with MT-42, then following northeast from the intersection with MT-42 until its terminus at the Verde River.

MT-1069, starting at the intersection with MT-532, then following southeast then east to its intersection with MT-42, then traveling east from the intersection with MT-42 east until its terminus at the Verde River.

MT-42, starting at then intersection with NFS Road 459 (also referred to as North Lake Road), then following northwest to the intersection with MT-1069, then following northwest from the intersection with MT-1069, to the intersection with MT-532, then following northwest then west from the intersection with MT- 532 to its terminus at the intersection with NFS Road 205.

PURPOSE

To provide public health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the uncontrolled Horse Fire on the Tonto National Forest.

IMPLEMENTATION

This Order shall be in effect from May , 2024, at :00 m through June 07, 2024, at 6:00pm, unless rescinded.

A map identifying the Described Road and Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices

Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II,

Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.

4. AviolationoftheaboveprohibitionsispunishableasaClassBmisdemeanorby a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Cave Ranger District in Scottsdale, AZ, (480) 595-3300, and Tonto National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Phoenix, AZ, (602) 225-5200, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road and Trails.