By Bob Burns
Mail

Tonto National Forest has imposed Emergency Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for much of the area that includes the Cave Creek and Mesa Ranger districts.

The restrictions were announced in late May as several desert wildfires broke out.

The emergency order describes the prohibited activities including:

*Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area.

*Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.

*Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun within the Described Area.

Forest Service officials say the purpose of the order is to provide for public health and safety and protect National Forest System lands, resources and facilities during the current period of high fire danger.

An emergency exists due to the high levels of continuous fine fuel loading, fire danger, conditions and extreme weather conditions. These factors have created an environment in which ignitions from human-caused activities can occur at a much higher rate than normal. Wildfires from such ignitions have the propensity to spread extremely quickly, presenting a significant risk to the public, as well as substantial obstacles to crews fighting the fires.

Fire officials have said the discharge of firearms is of particular concern. Several fires that began near SR 87 (Beeline Highway) within the forest started in known target shooting areas, according to officials. Those fires burned approximately 10,000 acres and are yet to be fully contained.

The Times Independent invites readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Bob Burns can be reached at bburns@iniusa.org.