Fires restricted in Coronado Nat'l Forest

Updated Jun 5, 2012, 10:42 am

Dylan Smith
TucsonSentinel.com

An increased danger of wildfires has prompted Coronado National Forest officials to restrict campfires and other sources of flames, a spokeswoman said.

The restrictions are effective immediately, the Forest Service's Heidi Schewel said in a news release Tuesday morning.

"Restrictions will remain in place until July 31 or until they are rescinded due to decreased fire danger," she said.

The prohibitions:

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, including within a developed recreation site, or improved site. 36 CFR 261.52(a) EXCEPTION: Use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, or heating devices is allowed so long as such devices met the fire underwriter's specifications for safety.
Using an explosive. 36 CFR 261.52(b)
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. 36 CFR 261.52(d)
Operating or using any internal combustion engine, except motor vehicles. 36 CFR 261.52(h)
Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 CFR 261.52 (i)
Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal law and regulations. 36 CFR 261.58(m)
Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest system roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 30 feet of the roadway, and except for parking overnight in Forest Service developed campgrounds and trailheads. 36 CFR 261.56

Violators may be punished with a $5,000 fine ($10,000 for organizations) and six months in prison.

Update: An earlier version of this story reported, based on a Forest Service release, that fires within recreation sites were allowed. A correction from that agency said that the restrictions also prohibit such fires.