June 19, 2006
Coconino National Forest Closes Friday
For Immediate Release
June 19, 2006
( You will probably see this in the paper and on TV tomorrow...)
For more info or updates, go to the Coconino Nat'lForest web pages or contact the Forest Closure Info Center - 928-226-4601
Flagstaff, AZ - As fire danger increases across the Southwest the Coconino National Forest will close to public access and use Friday morning, 23 June, at 8:00 a.m.
Effective Friday, the Coconino National Forest will close to public access. Conditions have warranted closure of the entire national forest. Closures in the past have proven to be an effective means of reducing the number of human-caused fires.
“While campfire and smoking restrictions have been effective in terms of minimizing the number of fires, we are at the point that we cannot afford the risk of any human-caused fires,” says Coconino Forest Supervisor Nora Rasure. “Several recent fires have exhibited extreme fire behavior, including the Woody and Brins Fires. We are not only concerned about the risk to communities and natural resources, we are concerned about the potential difficulties evacuating recreationists from remote areas should a wildfire start.”
Included in the Coconino closures:
All campgrounds, day use picnic areas and cabins on the forest.
All trails on the Coconino National Forest.
All lakes, including Lake Mary, Ashurst Lake, Kinnikinick Lake, Blue Ridge Reservoir, Stoneman Lake.
Cinder Hills Off-Highway Vehicle Area north of Flagstaff.
St. Joseph’s Youth Camp near Mormon Lake.
Arizona Snowbowl Skyride.
All National Forest System Roads will be closed, but all interstates, state and county roads through the Coconino National Forest will remain open.