Arizona Fire Restrictions

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Phoenix, Arizona

June 30, 2010

With the 4th of July holiday weekend fast approaching, Arizona public land managers are reminding the public of fire restrictions in place at various locations across the state.

With the Schultz Fire nearing full containment north of Flagstaff, Arizona, and several new fires starting daily, Arizona is feeling the effects of too many human-caused fires.  There have been 577 human-caused fires that have burned over 26,000 acres to date this year in Arizona.

Following are examples of causes of wildfires in Arizona in past years:
• Driving on a flat tire, the rim and pavement caused sparks, setting off grass fires; 
• A dragging safety chain from a boat trailer set off a series of fires on the way to Lake Pleasant;
• Vehicles with hot catalytic converters parking on dry vegetation;
• Ricocheting bullets have caused numerous wildfires at Arizona's lower elevations;
• Signal fires set by lost or injured individuals have caused many wildfires;
• Weed-eaters, chainsaws, welders, and other internal combustion engines have caused numerous fires even when their use was not prohibited;
• Improperly maintained brakes and wheel bearings, especially in trailers, have triggered some fires;
• Discarded charcoal and glass are responsible for a number of fire starts;
• Campfires left unattended or not put out properly are an especially common cause of wildfires; and
• Fireworks purchased and used illegally, in and around the 4th of July, have caused acres of damage. 

"Each year, we try to be proactive and implement fire restrictions when necessary to curb the damage of human-caused fires," said Dolores Garcia, fire mitigation specialist for the Bureau of Land Management's Arizona State Office.  "We can only prevent so many fires with restrictions; we rely on the public to help us as they are out enjoying Arizona.  We also want to remind everyone that fireworks are still prohibited in Arizona and on all federally managed land."  

Restrictions are in place in the following areas:

• National Forests – Tonto, Coconino, Kaibab and Prescott National Forests.  There are also fire area closures in Apache-Sitgreaves and Coconino National Forests in the vicinity of the Paradise and Schultz Fires.  

• BLM Lands – Restrictions affect BLM-administered lands in La Paz, Yavapai, Yuma, Pima, Pinal, Maricopa and Southern Mohave Counties

• Arizona State Trust Lands – Fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect through July 31st or until further notice on State Trust Lands within Maricopa, Coconino, Pinal, Yuma, La Paz and Yavapai Counties as well as the southern portions of Mohave and Gila Counties. 

• Arizona Game & Fish - Alamo Lake Wildlife Area; Aravaipa Wildlife Area; Arlington Wildlife Area; Base and Meridian Wildlife Area; Colorado River Nature Center Wildlife Area; Mittry Lake Wildlife Area; Powers Butte Wildlife Area; Quigley Wildlife Area; Robbins Butte Wildlife Area; Three Bar Wildlife Area; Upper Verde Wildlife Area

• Tribal/Agency Lands – Each area has a variation of closures and restrictions.  Check locally for compliance requirements.    

• National Park Service - National Parks and monuments maintain differing restrictions on cooking and campfires year round.  Check locally for compliance requirements.  

• National Wildlife Refuges -  Open fires of any type are prohibited on these refuges year-round. 

Fire restriction information can change daily.   To get the most current information, call ahead to the local office in the area in which you plan to visit or work, or call the toll-free fire restriction hotline at 1-877-864-6985.  For specific information visit: www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php.     
              
Author:US Forest Service Press Release