State Route 366 leading to Mount Graham near Safford reopened

State Route 366 leading to Mount Graham near Safford reopened

The Arizona Department of Transportation has reopened the highway leading to Mount Graham now that summer rains have reduced the risk of wildfires in the mountains near Safford.

State Route 366 – known locally as Swift Trail – was closed to traffic in June out of concern that dry conditions in the Coronado National Forest presented a fire hazard at a time when several major wildfires were burning in Southern Arizona.

 

While the arrival of summer monsoon rains have reduced the risk of fire, the U.S. Forest Service warns that anyone going into the Pinaleño Mountains should still exercise caution.

 

Following are some of the activities that remain prohibited in the area:

 

• Building a campfire or cooking fire, even within a recreation area

 

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building

 

• Using any type of explosive or internal combustion engine other than a motor vehicle

 

• Discharging firearms

 

These fire-related restrictions will remain in effect until Monday (July 18).