Stage 1 fire restrictions, began at 8 a.m., Thursday, June 15, across Coconino County.
Fire restrictions are to help protect public health by reducing the number of human-caused wildfires.
The County is enacting the restrictions due to forecasted weather and very high fire danger. Restrictions are in coordination with the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests.
The following restrictions apply on County public lands, as well as private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County. During Stage 1, the only combustion open fire and campfire allowed are listed below:
- By persons with a written permit or variance.
- For personal use of cigarette or other tobacco smoking medium when inside an enclosed vehicle or building, or in a developed recreational site in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation.
- For emergency repair of public utilities and railroads and other health and safety mitigation measures when operated by a public utility or railroad and implemented in accordance with an approved agency plan.
- By persons conducting a cultural or religious ceremony with a written permit or variance.
- By any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting entity in the performance of an official duty.
- By persons whose OPEN FIRE is the result of a device manufactured, for the purpose of cooking food, fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and turned off (for example a gas grill) when used in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation. This does not include Liquid fuel or LPG fire rings.
- By persons operating internal combustion engines, in the course of mechanical or industrial operations, that would produce open flames and sparks but containing appropriate spark arresting devices; those welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame in an area that is free of combustible materials and vegetation; and those using explosives with written permission of an authorized governmental agency.
- By persons operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.
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- By persons operating electric generators or pumps with an approved spark arresting device in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding combustible materials within three (3) feet of the device.
- Persons engaged in industrial and ranching operations with a permit or variance.
- With an open fire using charcoal or wood for cooking food or providing warmth for human beings in a for fee campground with fire hosting amenities [grill, fire ring].
- Unless allowed by an exemption above, common prohibited activities include open fire, campfires, fireworks, open smoking and use of exploding targets and tracer round ammunition.
- Citizens are reminded to use caution when smoking cigarettes outdoors and to completely extinguish them. The use of any machinery that may emit sparks, such as chainsaws and welding equipment should be used with caution during the high fire danger period. Be prepared and have fire extinguishing equipment readily available.
- Residents and visitors are asked to use their best judgment when considering whether to engage in any activity that could spark a fire. Residents and visitors are reminded that they can be held legally responsible for causing any wildfire.
- A link to the full Wildfire Defense Ordinance can be found at on the Coconino County homepage at www.coconino.az.gov/emergency.