Coronado National Forest to close due to extreme dry fire conditions

Hikers, campers, bird-watchers, and others who love outdoor recreation will be barred indefinitely from one of their most prized preserves, the Coronado National Forest. The entire two million-acre forest will be closed at noon Thursday because of extreme fire danger.

"The closure will remain in effect until significant moisture arrives," said Jim Upchurch, supervisor of the forest encompassing mountain ranges across Southern Arizona. "We recognize the impact this closure will have, but these are unprecedented fire conditions."

The closure includes popular Sabino Canyon (photo) northeast of Tucson. The only exception is the Catalina Highway to Summerhaven in the Catalina Mountains north of Tucson which will remain open to residents, business operators, and the public during daylight hours. But no stops may be made at overlooks, trails or other sites along the way to Summerhaven. The road will be closed at night.

Violators could face fines of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both, said Heidi Schewel, a spokeswoman for the forest. Parts of Saguaro National Park also will be closed starting Thursday, park Superintendent Darla Sidles said.

She said all high-country trails and sites in the park's district east of Tucson will be closed, but the eight-mile-loop drive in the district will remain open. The district of the park west of Tucson is in desert mountain terrain and will remain open, Sidles said.