It was paradoxical -- one major Roundup article about the preparations being made by the town of Payson to evacuate because of potential for devastating wildfires; the other being a map of a flawed forest closure which could easily cause this devastation.
For some unknown and unexplainable reason the Forest Service closed the Tonto National Forest north of the Control Road, but not south. A fire which starts south of the Control Road can easily jump the road and destroy Tonto Village, Mead's Ranch, Collins Ranch and the other communities under the Rim. We really have no protection from this closure.
The forest is just as dry south of the Control Road so why not close it also? The Forest Service's decision really escapes logic.
Maybe the Forest Service would like to provide a response to this question.
Lanny A. Kope, EdD