TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Federal authorities have issued dozens of citations and warnings for violations of a closure order for parts of the Coronado National Forest where a wildfire burned nearly 188 square miles (486) on the outskirts of Tucson this summer.
Forest Service law enforcement officers between July 30 and Aug. 5 issued over a dozen citations and 50 warnings for trespassing in the Santa Catalina Mountains, officials said.
Violations of the order that took effect July 15 are punishable by fines up to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, and imprisonment is also possible.
“We continue to urge the public to respect the order as there are hazards in the burn scar that can cause injuries,” officials said in a statement.
Forest spokeswoman Dorilis Camacho Torres said people could be seriously injured or even killed by entering the burn area where there are downed tree branches, logs, rocks and hidden hollowed-out areas covered by ash or other material.
The closure order is to run through Nov. 1 unless ended earlier.
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