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McDowell Sonoran Preserve to close early July 4
June 28, 2012
Contact: Claire Miller, Preservation Coordinator, 480-312-2504
McDowell Sonoran Preserve to close early July 4
Fire danger prompts restrictions and increased patrols
Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve will close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4, to reduce the threat of wild fires during the Independence Day holiday.
All trailheads into the 21,400-acre preserve will have “closed” signs posted. Scottsdale police, staff and volunteer stewards will patrol the area to advise visitors about the closure and fire threat. Violating the closure is a Class 2 Misdemeanor punishable by up to four months in jail and a $750 fine.
Summer temperatures dry out vegetation and create an extreme fire threat that can endanger lives, property and the Valley’s fragile desert. The availability and popularity of fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday increases that threat.
The use of fireworks is prohibited in Scottsdale, but sales are permitted. Fireworks should not be used in Scottsdale – or anywhere near a natural desert environment.
“The McDowell Sonoran Preserve is a community treasure and a wild fire could do such damage that would take decades for the land and animals to come back,” said Scottsdale Fire Chief Garret Olson. “Our desert is very dry and fragile now so please respect the closure so we can continue to enjoy this beautiful icon of Scottsdale.”
Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve encompasses the McDowell Mountains and large areas of the Sonoran Desert north of Dynamite Boulevard.
The preserve is home to stunning geography, lush cacti forests and diverse wildlife. It features award-winning trails and facilities. Scottsdale has acquired or ensured preservation of about 21,400 of the roughly 34,000 acres identified in the recommended preserve boundary.
To learn more about Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve, visit: http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/preserve
To learn more about the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, the non-profit group that champions the completion and sustainability of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, visit: http://www.mcdowellsonoran.org
To learn more about wild fire prevention, holiday safety tips and Scottsdale’s fireworks ordinance, visit: http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/fire
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