PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on wildfire-related forest closures in Arizona (all times local):
5:20 p.m.
A third national forest in drought-stricken Arizona is closing major areas to the public to prevent wildfires.
Coconino National Forest officials announced Friday that four large areas near Flagstaff and two other large areas elsewhere in the forest will temporarily close as of 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The move affects recreational activities such as camping, hiking and off-road vehicle use as well as work projects in the forest.
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests officials announced Wednesday that some areas of those two jointly managed forests will be closed to the public in the coming week, although officials haven’t yet decided which ones.
The Kaibab National Forest on May 11 announced the closure of a large area centered on Bill Williams Mountain near Williams.
That closure is intended to protect the watershed for Williams.
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11:50 a.m.
Tourists and the Arizona mountain towns that rely on them won’t have access to parts of some national forests this summer as authorities attempt to prevent wildfires during a critically dangerous time.
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests announced Wednesday that some areas will be closed to the public, although officials haven’t yet decided which ones.
That’s after the Kaibab National Forest on May 11 announced the closure of about 23.4 square miles (6,070 hectares) centered on Bill Williams Mountain near Williams.
That closure is intended to protect the watershed for Williams, a city that’s a jumping-off point for visitors to Grand Canyon National Park.
Campfire bans and other restrictions are in effect on national forests across Arizona and neighboring New Mexico.
Both states are stricken by drought.
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