Tucson, Ariz – Protecting public welfare and ensuring a high-quality visitor experience are among the Forest Service’s highest priorities. In October, the State of Arizona initiated an unauthorized project to install numerous shipping containers in the Coronado National Forest as a barrier along the international border. The State’s project is in the vicinity of Copper Canyon south of National Forest System Road 61 in the Sierra Vista Ranger District with attendant construction equipment and security personnel on-site.
The State has agreed to remove the containers starting January 2023. To protect public health and safety during removal operations, the Coronado National Forest will implement a temporary area closure starting January 3, 2023, through March 15, 2023, unless conditions on the ground warrant a different closure period. The closure order and map can be accessed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coronado/alerts-notices.
