U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest

U.S. Forest Service – Coronado National Forest The Coronado NF covers 1,778,077 acres of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico. International assistance in formulating policy and coordinating U.S.

Mission
The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Forest Service motto, "Caring for the Land and Serving People," captures the spirit of our mission, which we accomplish through five main activities:

Protection and management of natural resources on Na

tional Forest System lands. Research on all aspects of forestry, rangeland management, and forest resource utilization. Community assistance and cooperation with State and local governments, forest industries, and private landowners to help protect and manage non-Federal forest and associated range and watershed lands to improve conditions in rural areas. Achieving and supporting an effective workforce that reflects the full range of diversity of the American people. support for the protection and sound management of the world's forest resources. Description
The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.nationalforests.org/

The Forest Service manages a system of 155 national forests, 20 national grasslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish, and wildlife. General Information
Comment Policy: http://go.usa.gov/Wbp

Per our comment policy [http://www.usda.gov/comment_policy.xml], we will not allow and will delete comments that:

- Make personal attacks

- Are far off-topic

- Promote services or products

- Contain abusive, profane or vulgar language

- Contain sexual content, overly graphic, disturbing, obscene or offensive material, or material that would otherwise violate the law if published here

- Include offensive language targeting specific ethnic or racial groups. To protect your own privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include personally identifiable information, such as name, Social Security number, phone numbers, addresses, or e-mail addresses in the body of your comment. If you do voluntarily include personally identifiable information in your comment, such as your name, it may not be posted.

The Santa Catalina Ranger District is starting invasive treatments within Sabino and Bear Canyons. Buffelgrass and Fount...
08/06/2026

The Santa Catalina Ranger District is starting invasive treatments within Sabino and Bear Canyons.

Buffelgrass and Fountain grass are invasive African grasses that threaten our native landscape, especially our iconic saguaros and riparian habitat. Without these treatments, wildfires can spread more rapidly and with increased intensity. The Forest Service uses an integrated approach, including the use of herbicides, to control and protect native plants, animals, and communities. With the green-up occurring after the monsoon rains, the optimal environment for viable dormant seeds to sprout is underway. By traveling on foot through the upland slopes of Sabino and Bear Canyons, our teams are able to selectively treat invasives.

This project is made possible through the support of the National Forest Foundation, Tucson Bird Alliance, and Rocky Mountain Ecology.

Oracle Fuel Break - Phase 2Santa Catalina Ranger District(Tucson, AZ, August 6, 2026) – Phase 2 of the Oracle Fuel Break...
08/06/2026

Oracle Fuel Break - Phase 2
Santa Catalina Ranger District

(Tucson, AZ, August 6, 2026) – Phase 2 of the Oracle Fuel Break project is scheduled to take place from Aug. 11 through Sept. 15, 2026. The timeline is subject to favorable weather conditions and adherence to all necessary approvals.

The project location is directly south of the town of Oracle, on National Forest Service land, and within the Catalina-Rincon Mountain FireScape. Once complete, a 300-foot fuel break, covering 60 acres, will be established reducing fuel loading adjacent to private property (see Oracle Fuel Break map).

The purpose of this project is to increase the probability of success in protecting the town of Oracle from the negative effects of a wildland fire. The fuel break is not designed to stop fires but instead to change the fire's behavior and intensity. In addition, the fire break can be used as anchor points for indirect or direct attack lines during prescribed or wildland fires.

Completed - Phase 1 (34 Acres):
• Cut material was chipped and hauled off-site.
• Road system and fire break were improved for the chipper and
chipper truck.
• Fuel break was closed in accordance with forest engineering
and recreation standards after project completion.

Phase 2 (26 Acres):
• Burn current hand piles established with a minimum pile size
of 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide.

The Oracle Fuel Break will require periodic maintenance every two to three years. This will involve removing shrub litter, brush, and grasses; strategic herbicidal application; thinning ladder fuels up to 5 feet above ground level; and reestablishing line construction with handheld or heavy equipment.

Nearby residents or visitors may experience smoke during the prescribed pile burn. For more detailed information about air quality, go to AirNow online or download the app.

The Forest Service will evaluate weather conditions in the hours before the prescribed pile burn begins. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be canceled.

For any additional questions email [email protected].

Catalina-Rincon Mountains FireScape (CRFS): The CRFS project area comprises approximately 265,000 acres of National Forest System lands in Pima, Pinal, and Cochise counties, including two wilderness areas, two research natural areas, and six inventoried roadless areas. The CRFS is a landscape-scale restoration project that focuses on promoting resilient ecosystems; protecting life, property, and natural resources; and encouraging natural wildland fire to function as a healthy process in the ecosystem.

Press Release:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/newsroom/releases/oracle-fuel-break-phase-2

Update 8/6/2026: Potable water has been restored to all the spigots in Madera Canyon! Water restored to the Bog Springs ...
08/05/2026

Update 8/6/2026: Potable water has been restored to all the spigots in Madera Canyon!

Water restored to the Bog Springs Campground in Madera Canyon, Nogales Ranger District.

Work is progressing on the restoration of water to the remaining spigots in the canyon.

Visitors are asked to please continue to bring all the water they will need during their visit to the canyon throughout the weekend to help ensure the water tanks are not depleted.

Forest Service photo of a spigot at Bog Springs Campground near site 1.

Help save a life Sign up now to donate blood with the American Red Cross at the Santa Catalina Ranger District Office in...
08/05/2026

Help save a life

Sign up now to donate blood with the American Red Cross at the Santa Catalina Ranger District Office in Sabino Canyon on Wednesday, August, 26, 2026, from 8am to 1pm. Blood donations are by appointment only. Click the link https://tinyurl.com/3a6xrby7, or sign up at redcrossblood.org using the Sponsor Code FORESTSC.

🩸WARNING: BLOOD CRISIS🩸
The American Red Cross has declared the second national blood crisis in its history. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O. The blood supply fell nearly 25% in June, and blood donations are now at a four-year summer low. Donors are asked to take action immediately to help save lives.

Looking to join the Coronado National Forest? Now is the time!We are hiring for five positions in Tucson, Arizona: two C...
08/04/2026

Looking to join the Coronado National Forest? Now is the time!

We are hiring for five positions in Tucson, Arizona: two Civil Engineers (GS-7/9 and GS-11/12), two Realty Specialists (Special Uses – GS-9/11 and GS-11/12), and a Geologist (GS-7/9/11). These positions are open to the public and require a two-page resume.

Apply at USAJobs.gov (August 4 to August 10, 2026):
https://www.usajobs.gov/search/results/?k=Forest+Service&l=Tucson%2C+Arizona

Conditions of employment
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

📣Marshall Gulch Closure in effectPedestrian use of Marshall Gulch Trail  #3, Aspen Trail  #93, and Sunset Trail  #90 is ...
08/03/2026

📣Marshall Gulch Closure in effect

Pedestrian use of Marshall Gulch Trail #3, Aspen Trail #93, and Sunset Trail #90 is available weekly on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and all federal holidays. Please stay on designated trails when in the Marshall Gulch area and be aware of your surroundings.

🚯Pack it in, Pack it out. There are is no trash service or toilet facilities available after leaving the new Summerhaven parking lot.

On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, the entire Marshall Gulch area, including the above-mentioned trails, is closed.

Parking remains available at the new Summerhaven parking lot along Sabino Canyon Park Road.

Order Number: 03-05-26-009:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/alerts/marshall-gulch-closure-order-0

News release from June 22, 2026:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/newsroom/releases/marshall-gulch-picnic-area-and-trailhead-closes-major-renovation

🥵An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect through today. High temperatures will be 4-7 degrees above normal then 2-4 de...
08/03/2026

🥵An Extreme Heat Warning remains in effect through today. High temperatures will be 4-7 degrees above normal then 2-4 degrees above normal the rest of the week.
⛈️A more active monsoon pattern will likely set up this week across southeastern Arizona. Daily chances for thunderstorms are in the forecast with day to day variability.
🌬️Monday and Tuesday have increased chances for thunderstorm activity, bringing threats of severe winds, blowing dust, flash flooding, and hail.

Monday (Today)
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for Santa Cruz, Southeast Pima, and Southwest Cochise counties from 2 PM-10 PM Monday.

A Blowing Dust Advisory has been issued for the valleys from 2 PM-10 PM Monday.

Shared on behalf of US National Weather Service Tucson Arizona. The chart shows risk levels. These incorporate potential impacts from weather hazards and likelihood of occurrence for a reasonable worse case scenario.

Come one, come all! The annual Coronado National Forest photo contest has begun! Every year, we update the image on the ...
08/01/2026

Come one, come all! The annual Coronado National Forest photo contest has begun!

Every year, we update the image on the Coronado National Forest Annual Pass to showcase our picturesque landscape. Email your photo to [email protected] by August 31, 2026.

Voting by the public for the winning photo will then take place on Facebook in September. The winning photographer will have their name and photo printed on the new Coronado National Forest annual pass.

📷 Rules and Regulations:
• Each person can only submit 3 photos per year.
• The winner from last year cannot win again the following year.
• Photographs must be a single work of original material.
• The location of the photo must be in or looking at Coronado National Forest lands. Please provide location information when submitting a photo.
• By entering the contest, you acknowledge that the submitted photograph is an original work created by you and that the photograph does not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity, or intellectual property rights of any person, and that no other party has any right, title, claim or interest in the photograph.
• The photograph must not contain obscene, provocative, defamatory, sexually explicit, or otherwise objectionable or inappropriate content.
• Photographs that explicitly, or are perceived as an advertisement, will not be included in the final vote.
• All submissions to the contest remain your property; however, as a condition of entering the competition, you grant the Federal Government a perpetual, royalty-free, fully transferable, unconditional, non-exclusive, worldwide right to reproduce any submission an unlimited number of times in any and all media for any editorial, commercial, promotional, or trade purposes.
• The Coronado National Forest runs this photo contest and is in no way affiliated with Facebook.

To learn about all the passes available:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coronado/passes

Photo from Adobe stock of a backpacker taking a picture of the landscape at sunset.

Update: August 1, 2026 at 10:00 amRincon FireSafford Ranger DistrictStart Date: July 31, 2026Start Time: 6:29 pmApproxim...
08/01/2026

Update: August 1, 2026 at 10:00 am
Rincon Fire
Safford Ranger District
Start Date: July 31, 2026
Start Time: 6:29 pm
Approximate Acres: .75
Containment: 0%
Cause: Believed to be lightning-caused
Closures: None
Evacuations: None

The Rincon Fire is located behind Deadman Ridge in the rough, rugged, and steep terrain of the Pinaleño Mountains.

Morning aerial flight assessments have concluded. Firefighters are anticipating low fire activity throughout the day. Creeping may occur the transition zone between timber and grass, with no values at risk. Today, helicopters will be performing water bucket drops to reduce the severity and spread of the fire.

Additional resources are enroute, and firefighters will engage with full-suppression indirect-fire confinement tactics and direct-fire confinement tactics.

Smoke will be visible in the surrounding area.

If you fly, we can’t
The area is under Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs). Individuals who have been determined to have endangered manned aircraft or people on the ground with a UAS and/or interfered with wildfire suppression may be subject to civil penalties, including fines of up to $25,000, and potentially criminal prosecution.

*********************************

Rincon Fire
Safford Ranger District
Start Date: July 31, 2026
Start Time: 6:29 pm
Approximate Acres: Undetermined
Containment: 0%
Cause: Believed to be lightning-caused
Closures: None
Evacuations: None

The Rincon Fire is located behind Deadman Ridge in the rough, rugged, and steep terrain of the Pinaleño Mountains.

Due to access challenges, firefighters evaluated the fire from a distance this evening for the initial assessment. The fire is currently creeping in the transition zone between timber and grass, with no values at risk.

Additional resources are enroute and firefighters will engage with full-suppression indirect-fire confinement tactics until direct-fire confinement tactics can be safely implemented.

Smoke will be visible in the surrounding area.

Map of the Rincon Fire location.

Potable water continues to be temporarily unavailable in Madera Canyon, Nogales Ranger District.Forest Service employees...
07/31/2026

Potable water continues to be temporarily unavailable in Madera Canyon, Nogales Ranger District.

Forest Service employees continue to work diligently to restore potable water to the spigots in Madera Canyon. Failure points in the waterline are being addressed, with additional repair supplies expected to arrive later next week. Visitors are asked to please bring all the water they will need during their visit to the canyon. We are hopeful to have all repairs complete by next weekend.

Forest Service photo of exposed water lines to address repairs.

Address

300 W. Congress Street
Tucson, AZ
85701

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15203888300

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