-
UPDATE: Coconino and Kaibab National Forest Reopened 7/6
Both the Kaibab and the Coconino National Forests will be entirely closed beginning Wednesday, June 23. This means that all peaks in the challenge will be closed as of tomorrow.
What does this mean for the challenge?
Currently the challenge runs through October 31st. It’s possible that the closure may be lifted before then, but it depends on the weather (which right now is hot and dry) and the Forest Service. If it reopens by September 15th, we will extend the challenge through the end of November.
If it reopens later than September 15th, but before the end of November, we will give challengers the option of completing the challenge, rolling their registration over to 2022, or getting a refund.
For now, we are closing registration to any new challengers.
We hope that the weather will allow the Coconino National Forest to reopen sooner rather than later, and our thoughts are with the people and businesses of Sedona, Flagstaff and other areas affected by this closure.
Here is the closure notice from the Coconino National Forest Service:
“Due to fire danger, dry conditions, and persistent wildfire activity during a time when firefighting resources are sparse, the entirety of Coconino National Forest will close for public safety, beginning Wednesday (June 23) at 8 a.m.
A full forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of Coconino National Forest at any time. Only those with private inholdings will be allowed access to their property, as well as personnel providing utility support where necessary, and firefighters performing their duties.
Forest Service personnel will attempt to reach as many people as possible to begin vacating campsites and informing individuals who are camping in the forest currently. Campers and visitors to the national forest should vacate their campsites before the closure begins, and the public should cancel any plans for visiting the Coconino National Forest for the next several weeks.
Though parts of the national forest may receive rain from sporadic storms over the next couple of weeks, this closure will not be rescinded until sufficient precipitation is received to adequately reduce the risk of wildfire, and hot, dry weather conditions are no longer forecast to continue. In short, this closure will continue until conditions are such that the closure can be lifted.
Work on thinning and other forest and watershed restoration projects will cease. Partner agencies, organizations, concessionaires, outfitters, permit holders, and contractors, are all prohibited from entering the national forest.
Violating closures and fire restrictions is a violation that carries a mandatory appearance in federal court, punishable as a Class B misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months in prison, or both.”
There is a similar notice from the Kaibab National Forest here.
-
1 Reply
-
REOPENED as of July 6th!
Both the Kaibab and Coconino national forests are reopened to the public as of Tuesday after being closed due to extreme wildfire danger, national forest officials said.
State officials said that the Tonto National Forest will end Stage 3 fire closures on Wednesday morning, but Stage 2 restrictions are still in place.
The fire danger in both forests has reduced due to recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, officials said. Fire danger is still present and the forests are reopening with fire restrictions in place.
Log in to reply.
