Arizona News – Several roads located in the Schultz Pass area of the Coconino National Forest’s Flagstaff Ranger District will reopen to motorized vehicles tomorrow following a roughly two-year closure due to the Pipeline Fire.
The temporary trail and road closure order for the Pipeline Fire, which has been in effect since September of 2022, will be lifted at 8 a.m. Friday (Aug. 16).
Gates, barricades and signage posted in the area will be modified and removed to reflect the removal of the closure order.
While many roads, including Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road [FR] 420), Elden Springs Road (FR 556) and FR 6064D will reopen to motorized vehicles, Lockett Meadow Road (FR 552) remains severely damaged from post-fire flooding, and will remain closed to motorized vehicles, but open to non-motorized use.
Though post-fire restoration work, conducted in partnership with Coconino County’s Flood Control District, has mitigated several hazards in the Pipeline Fire area, forest visitors should remain cognizant of post-fire hazards and exercise caution while visiting the Pipeline Fire burned area.
Recreators are advised to avoid parking and congregating in tree-heavy areas during periods of high wind due to fire-damaged trees in the burned area. Forest visitors are also advised to be mindful of fire-weakened trees as well as other hazards – such as rolling rocks, falling trees and flood waters – that can trap and injure motorists and pedestrians.
While trails in the area have reopened, several projects (such as reconstruction of the City of Flagstaff waterline along Waterline Road Trail) remain in progress, and area visitors should exercise caution and plan for construction delays.
Several free-use firewood areas located within the area of the closure order are expected to open within the coming weeks to the public. A permit is required to collect free-use firewood.