COCONINO COUNTY — With the potential for continued warm, dry, and windy conditions throughout Northern Arizona in the coming days, the Coconino National Forest will begin Stage 1 Fire Restrictions this Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
Per Coconino County Ordinance 2024-01, Coconino County Emergency Management (CCEM) will implement Stage 1 fire restrictions in all unincorporated areas of the County at the same time.
Under the County’s Stage 1 restrictions igniting, building, or maintaining a fire fueled by combustible materials such as wood, charcoal, briquettes, and/or coal is strictly prohibited, except within a developed recreation site. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site. The use of tracer or incendiary rounds of ammunition or explosive targets is also strictly prohibited. Fireworks are always prohibited on all National Forest and State lands.
Using a device that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed only in a developed recreation site. A developed recreation site is defined in the County’s Wildfire Defense Ordinance as an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 15 feet of the device.
Fire restrictions are implemented to help prevent human-caused fires and to limit the exposure of visitors during periods of potentially dangerous fire conditions. Decisions about fire restrictions are based on a combination of carefully measured factors. Criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought, and available firefighting resources.
Additional restrictions could be forthcoming if conditions warrant. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the region receives significant, widespread precipitation.
The public is reminded to always be extra cautious when recreating on public lands, regardless of restrictions. Violations could result in fines and/or jail time.
For information on Coconino County’s Stage 1, 2, and 3 fire restrictions please visit: www.coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions
Information about all Arizona state and federal fire restrictions, including an interactive map, can be found at www.coconino.az.gov/firerestrictions. Additional information about the stages of fire restrictions, Forest Orders, and general forest conditions are available for the Kaibab National Forest at fs.usda.gov/kaibab and the Coconino National Forest at fs.usda.gov/coconino