Single Publication

West Fire Emergency Closure Order

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) area, roads and trails in the Payson and Mogollon Ranger Districts, Tonto and Coconino National Forests, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the

Described Area:

1. Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e)
2. Being on any road within the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e)
3. Being on any trail within the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a)

EXEMPTIONS

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

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, 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 force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Arizona Dept. of Fire and Forestry Management contractor Suarez Forestry and Canyon Creek Logging to operate on and around Forest Road 64.
4. Residents of Camp Geronimo, Geronimo Estates and Bray Creek Ranch being on Forest Service Road 64.

DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, and TRAILS

The Described Area consists of all National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Boundary starting at the intersection of State Route (SR) 87 and National Forest System Road (NFSR) 64 (Control Road), then following northwest along the northeast side of SR-87 approximately 1.75 miles to the intersection with the Non- Forest Service Ownership (Community of Pine), then following east and north around the Non-National Forest System lands approximately 3.35 miles to the intersection with Trail 26 Pine Canyon, then following northeast along the northwest side of Trail 26 Pine Canyon approximately 3.5 miles to the intersection with NFSR 6038, then following north along the west side of NFSR 6038 approximately 0.1 miles to the intersection with SR-87, then following east along the south side of SR-87 approximately 1.5 miles to the intersection with NFSR 300, then following south along the west side of NFSR 300 approximately 0.1 miles to the intersection with NFSR 218A, then following south along the east side of NFSR 218A approximately 1.35 miles to the intersection with NFSR 218, then following east along the north side of NFSR 218 approximately 3 miles to the intersection with NFSR 300, then following southeast and northeast along the southwest and southeast side of NFSR 300 approximately 4 miles to the intersection with Chase Creek, then following southeast along Chase Creek approximately 1.5 miles to the intersection with Motorized Trail (MT) 646, then following south along the east side of MT-646 approximately 2 miles to the intersection with NFSR 32, then following southwest along the northwest side of NFSR 32 approximately 1 mile to the intersection with NFSR 64, then following west along the south side of NFSR 64 approximately 9.25 miles back to the point of beginning at the intersection of NFSR 64 and SR-87.

Routes along and within the Described Area boundary that are closed include: Trail 26 Pine Canyon, NFSR 6038, NFSR 218A, NFSR 218, MT-646, NFSR 64. Boundary

Routes SR-87, NFSR 300, and NFSR 32 remain open. Pine Trailhead, Red Rock Trailhead, and Geronimo Trailhead are also closed.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger associated with the uncontrolled West Fire on the Tonto and Coconino National Forests.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from September 4, 2024, at 12:00pm through October 31, 2024, at 06:00pm, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area, Roads, 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 
3. 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.

1. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by 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.

1. Contact the Payson Ranger District in Payson, AZ, (928) 474-7900, and Tonto National Forest Supervisors Office in Phoenix, AZ, (602) 225-5200, or the Mogollon Ranger District in Happy Jack, AZ, (928) 477-2255, and Coconino National Forest Supervisors Office in Flagstaff, AZ, (928) 527-3600 for more information about this Order.
2. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Roads, Trails, and Area.