Several of Phoenix's mountains and mountain preserves will close early on the Fourth of July to reduce the risk of fire danger.
Camelback Mountain, Papago Park, the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, South Mountain Park, North Mountain, Sonoran Preserve, Deem Hills and the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration area will be closed to vehicle traffic at 3 p.m., the City of Phoenix's Parks and Recreation Department said.
The upper lookouts at South Mountain will be closed at 1 p.m.
Fireworks, open fires, charcoal fires, and smoking outside a vehicle are all prohibited as part of the annual fire ban that went into effect on May 15.
Instead, the City is asking people to attend a professional fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. There are 19 displays planned around the Valley on the Fourth of July.
