PHOENIX — Multiple fire restrictions are going into effect this week as wildfire season gets underway.
At 8 a.m., May 5, the Tonto, Kaibab, and Coconino National Forests will enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, as well as the City of Flagstaff.
The restrictions are put in place by forest officials in an attempt to limit the chance of wildfires.
RELATED: Maricopa County, Phoenix fire bans begin May 1
This year already Arizona has seen multiple significant wildfires spark. The Tunnel Fire, north of Flagstaff, burned more than 19,000 acres while the Crooks Fire, south of Prescott, burned more than 9,000 acres.
Susan Blake, Public Affairs Officer with the Tonto National Forest, says they have already had several roadside fires from people dragging chains on their vehicles.
Blake says until conditions change, these fire restrictions will remain in place.
"We haven't had much precipitation to impact the fire danger and we don't have any predicted rain in the near future," Blake said. "So we ask the public to do their part. Everyone should be following these restrictions."
The forest service says violating any of these restrictions could have you facing a $5,000 fine and up to six months in prison.
Tonto National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
- Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire - including use of charcoal or briquettes - outside a fire structure provided by the Forest Service within a designated area.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material. Deposit butts and remains in an ashtray or inside a building; do not toss or discard on the ground.
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun.
Restrictions will remain in effect until forest service officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.
For complete details on restrictions and exclusions, click here.
Kaibab & Coconino National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect on the Williams and Tusayan Districts (aka “South Zone”) of the Kaibab National Forest and the entirety of the Coconino National Forest.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal, and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed recreation site.
Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site.
Fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest and state lands.
Additional restrictions could be forthcoming if conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area receives significant, widespread precipitation.
For complete details on restrictions and exclusions, click here.
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
Stage I fire restrictions prohibit the following:
- Fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are ALWAYS prohibited on National Forests.
- Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes outside a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
- Discharging a firearm, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations.
Exemptions to the restrictions include the following:
- Persons using a stove or grill that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels.
- Persons using a stove fire in a designated area.
Prescott National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
Stage 1 fire restrictions prohibit the following:
- Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire, including charcoal and briquettes outside a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
- Discharging a firearm, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations.
For complete details on restrictions and exclusions, click here.
City of Flagstaff Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
• The sale or use of consumer-grade fireworks is prohibited.
• The use of charcoal and wood-fired BBQs are prohibited in City parks and open spaces.
• Charcoal and wood-fired BBQs are still allowed at private residences and private campgrounds within city limits.
•Smoking and use of electronic cigarettes are prohibited in all public places within the City of Flagstaff, including City parks, open spaces, and the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS) at all times.
The City cooperates with local, county, state and federal fire management agencies to ensure a coordinated effort is made in fire restrictions actions.
For complete details on restrictions and exclusions, click here.
Yavapai County Fire Restrictions:
An Interim Fire Prohibition Order which prohibits the use of fireworks and implements Stage 1 Fire Restrictions across all four fire zones in Yavapai County, goes into effect May 5.
Fire Ordinance Zones: Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern Zones of Yavapai County, which include the following cities and towns; Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewy Humboldt, Mayer, Cordes Junction, Black Canyon City, Congress, North Wickenburg, Peoples Valley, Yarnell, Wilhoit, Cottonwood, Sedona, Camp Verde, and unincorporated areas herein.
Prohibited activities will include the sale or use of fireworks; building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site, or improved site; smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an outdoor area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials; and operating or using any equipment with an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order, per the details provided in Ordinance 2020-2.
Also on May 5, the following agencies will implement campfire and smoking restrictions:
· Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Phoenix and Colorado River Districts;
· Coconino, Kaibab [Williams and Tusayan Ranger Districts], Prescott, Tonto, and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests;
· Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management as it relates to state trust lands in Coconino County south of the Grand Canyon, Mohave, La Paz, Yavapai, Yuma, Maricopa, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Apache, and Navajo counties.
