Hunters are advised that the “Mistake Peak Fire” in the Tonto National Forest (in the Mistake Peak/Greenback Valley area in Game Management Unit 23 South, about 11 miles east of Punkin Center, Ariz.), has resulted in some road closures that could potentially affect vehicle access for bear and archery deer hunts that begin on Aug. 24.
The fire, first reported on Aug. 8, has burned 2,700 acres as of Aug. 13 and is 15 percent contained, according to a Forest Service news release. About 120 fire personnel are working the fire.
The fire was moving north and east and has transitioned from grass/brush fuels to Ponderosa pine timber which will burn for a longer duration. Firefighters continue to clear vegetation beside key roads to serve as existing containment boundaries. Smoke may be visible.
Road closures in the area include:
• Forest Roads 236 and 236-A.
• Forest Road 71 is closed at the FR 609 and FR 236 junction.
• Forest Roads 486 and 416.
• Forest Road 609 is closed at the junction with FR 236 and FR 486.
Depending on conditions at the time, these road closures could potentially affect vehicle access for bear and archery deer hunts that begin Aug. 24.
Game and Fish officials pointed out that the fire is only affecting a portion of Unit 23 South specifically, and there are still plenty of areas in the unit unaffected by this fire.
For more information, including a map of the fire area, visit http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3141/ or http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5385773.