Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

As Summer Winds Down

From the Tonto National Forest, here again are the tried-and-true reminders to ensure your visit is an enjoyable, safe one:

Fireworks, Campfires, and Smoking

Fireworks are prohibited year-round on all National Forest lands. While fire restrictions recently were lifted on the Tonto National Forest, vegetation remains dry.

Visitors should carry enough extra water to extinguish campfires, choose campfire sites carefully, maintain small fires and ensure all fires and smoking materials are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving them for any reason. Remember: drown, stir, drown – then repeat until the area is cold to the touch.

Avoid building fires on windy days. Place cigarette butts in ashtrays.

Storms

With summer monsoons come thunderstorms, which can be isolated in nature and materialize quickly.

Check weather forecasts when preparing for outings, and seek shelter in buildings or vehicles during storms (avoid sheltering under trees).

Visitors should avoid low-lying areas, washes and streams which can quickly become flooded without warning.

Wildlife

Visitors should avoid contact with wildlife.

Use these “bear aware” principles.

* Bears and other animals are attracted to human food and trash. Maintaining clean campsites is important.

* Report bear sightings immediately to the Arizona Game and Fish Department at

(623) 236-7201 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

* Store food out of sight and smell of bears.

* Use metal storage boxes for food and garbage in recreation sites.

* Cookware and dishes should be washed in designated areas away from camping sites and stored promptly after meals.

* Odorous products such as toothpaste or lotions and clothing with food or cooking odors should not be taken into sleeping areas.

* Do not feed any wildlife -- “Keep wildlife wild.”

Know Before You Go: Ranger District And Recreation Area Information

• Cave Creek Ranger District, (480) 595-3300

• Globe Ranger District, (928) 402-6200

• Mesa Ranger District, (480) 610-3300

• Payson Ranger District, (928) 474-7900

• Pleasant Valley Ranger District, (928) 462-4300

• Tonto Basin Ranger District, (602) 225-5395