PHOENIX - Campers around Arizona are celebrating today as The Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department gets ready to lift its yearly fire ban.
Starting Thursday, October 1, people will be able to use campfires, fire pits and charcoal grills at all ten of the Maricopa County parks.
The system-wide fire ban was initiated in early May to limit the possibility of starting a brush fire, but officials are easing up on the restrictions just in time for cooler weather.
"We typically lift our fire ban prior to Labor Day weekend; however, the lack of rain this year forced us to extend our fire ban," says R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation Department Director.
Cardin added, "With the brush being extremely dry, we will be keeping a close eye on the parks. If wind conditions become a problem, we may have to issue temporary fire bans."
Lake Pleasant Regional Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, Adobe Dam Regional Park, Buckeye Hills Regional Park, Estrella Mountain Regional Park, San Tan Mountain Regional Park, Usery Mountain Regional Park, McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Cave Creek Regional Park, and Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area are the ten parks in Maricopa County affected by the fire restrictions.
