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  U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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> **Southwest Region P.O. Box 1306 Albuquerque, NM 87103**
>
> **For Release:** July 2, 2002 **Contact:** Victoria Fox, 505-248-6455
>
> **CLOSURES IN EFFECT FOR BUENOS AIRES, LESLIE CANYON AND SAN
> BERNARDINO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES**

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Southwest Region has closed to the
public the Buenos Aires, Leslie Canyon and San Bernardino National
Wildlife Refuges in Arizona due to severe drought conditions and the
potential for catastrophic wildfires. The closures will minimize the
risk of fire on these refuges and ensure public safety. The refuges will
remain closed until there is sufficient moisture to reduce the existing
fire danger.

The following restrictions are currently in effect for Imperial, Cibola,
Bill Williams River and Havasu National Wildlife Refuges:

1.  Building or maintaining any type of wood or charcoal fire.The use of
    charcoal in provided grills or in commercially manufactured grills
    is permitted in developed recreation sites. Commercially
    manufactured propane or petroleum fuel grills, stoves, lanterns, or
    heating devices are also allowed.

2.  SMOKING is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or
    building, in a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an
    area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of
    all flammable material.

3.  Use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices.

For Southwest Area fire information visit:
[http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/fire/]{.underline}

> [http://southwest.fws.gov]{.underline}

Fish and Wildlife Service-Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Fish and Wildlife Service-San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge

Fish and Wildlife Service-Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge

Under the authority of 50 CFR, parts 25.21e, 25.31, 25.71, 26.21, and
27.95, public lands administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
within south central and southeastern areas of Arizona shall have the
following fire restrictions.

> In the interest of wildfire prevention and public safety, the U.S.
> Fish and Wildlife is imposing these actions to compliment and support
> other Federal, state, and local wildfire prevention activities.
> Effective July 3, 2002, **ALL PUBLIC ENTRY IS PROHIBITED**, until such
> time that an appropriate amount of moisture has been received to
> minimize fire danger.

The following persons are exempt from the restrictions of the Fire
Prevention Order:

> Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized fire
> fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

Violation of a Fire Prevention Order is punishable by a fine of not more
than \$100,000, or imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both. (50
CFR 28)

Signed at Albuquerque, New Mexico, this 2^nd^ day of July 2002.

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Gary Montoya Dom Ciccone

Refuge Supervisor-AZ/NM Regional Chief, NWRS