All campfire and smoking restrictions affecting the Tonto National Forest will be lifted, effective Friday, July 11, 8 a.m.

The fire restrictions, which covered the entire forest, are no longer needed because fire danger has been reduced by increased moisture and humidity from the annual monsoon season. These wetter conditions prompted officials to lift forest fire restrictions.

“Although campfires and smoking will now be allowed throughout the forest, visitors should properly extinguish cigarettes in ashtrays, and ashes in a campfire ring should be cold enough to touch before they are left,” said Tonto NF Fire Staff Officer Clay Templin. “Campfires should be put out by drowning with water and stirring with a shovel to ensure the fire is cold.”

Forest Supervisor Neil Bosworth extended special thanks to the visiting public during the fire restrictions which began earlier this year. “We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we had to restrict access and activities on the Tonto during this fire season. We appreciate our visitors’ support of the restrictions. Arizona had a challenging fire season that was made a little easier by the small number of human-caused fires.”

For more information, visit the Tonto website at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto or call (602) 225-5200.