TUCSON, AZ (AP) -
The only campground at the popular Chiricahua National Monument has been closed indefinitely.
The Arizona Daily Star reports that fire and flooding risk forced officials to close the site out of safety concerns.
Last year's massive Horseshoe 2 Fire burned over most of the 11,985-acre monument southeast of Willcox. That set the stage for likely flash flooding of the 25-site Bonita Canyon Campground during this year's monsoon.
Lane Baker, superintendent of the monument, said the flood risk stems from the loss of large expanses of vegetation.
Baker says a rainfall of less than an inch earlier this week caused moderate flooding and prompted closure of the campground.
She says some campsites could be reopened when the flood risk declines.
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