TONTO BASIN, Ariz. — An emergency closure order has been issued for parts of the Tonto National Forest, according to officials.
The closure is due to the Spring Fire which officials described as being "uncontrolled" in a post to X, formerly Twitter.
"The purpose of this order is to provide public health and safety due to firefighting operations and fire danger," the post said.
The closed area can be seen below in the map issued by the Tonto National Forest.
Forest Service Roads 22, 524, 491, 143 and MT-524, near the boundary area are closed. State Route 87 makes up the closure's western boundary and extends almost to State Route 188. Its southern boundary parallels, but doesn't always touch, the northern edge of the Four Peaks Wilderness and its northern boundary is a line made up of FR-22 to FR 524.
State Route 87 (Beeline Hwy) and State Route 188 remain open.
The order will be in effect from June 2-15, unless it is canceled before then.
This is a developing story; additional details will be added as they become available.
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Wildfire Go-Kit:
Residents in wildfire-prone areas are urged to have an emergency supplies kit to bring with them of they are evacuated from their homes, especially as Arizona residents are beginning to see early widespread fire activity throughout the state.
An emergency supply kit should be put together long before a wildfire or another disaster occurs. Make sure to keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that residents near a disaster store emergency supplies in a plastic tub, small suitcase, trash can, backpack, or other containers.
Residents should make sure they have the necessities, such as three gallons of water per person and a three-day supply of ready-to-eat food, the NFPA said. A first-aid kit, prescription medications, contact lenses, and non-prescription drugs should also be taken into account.
Copies of any important family documents, including insurance policies, identification, bank account records, and emergency contact numbers should also be taken and put into a waterproof, portable container in your kit, the NFPA said.
The association lists other items that would help in a disaster, including:
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA weather radio to receive up-to-date information
Dust mask or cotton T-shirt to filter the air
Matches in a waterproof container
Complete change of clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sturdy shoes stored in a waterproof container
Signal flare
The entire NFPA checklist of supplies can be found here.
