Arizona Forestry Implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to State Trust Lands in Central Arizona - May 22, 2024
Phoenix, AZ (5/22/24) – Increasing fire activity coupled with warm temperatures and dry conditions prompt the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) to implement Stage 1 fire restrictions on State Trust lands within some areas of Central Arizona.
Starting tomorrow, Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 8:00 am, Stage 1 fire restrictions go into effect on State Trust lands within Gila, Maricopa, and Pinal Counties. DFFM fire managers report an uptick in fire activity in these areas and believe restrictions are necessary at this time for public and firefighter safety. DFFM along with federal and tribal cooperators continue to evaluate restrictions for other parts of the state on a weekly basis.
Restrictions remain in effect until rescinded.
Restrictions apply to the following state-owned and state-managed lands within the above-mentioned counties including:
- All State Trust lands outside incorporated municipalities.
- All Game and Fish Commission Wildlife areas and department properties outside incorporated municipalities.
- All State Parks outside incorporated municipalities – State Parks will remain open with fire restrictions in place. Please refer to https://azstateparks.com/fire-safety/ – for park-specific fire restriction information.
- All Department of Transportation highway, right-of-way property outside incorporated municipalities, not owned by federal land management agencies.
Restrictions include:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, other than in a developed campsite or picnic area is prohibited. Exemptions include, a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
- Smoking is prohibited unless it is within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site/improved site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barred or cleared of all flammable materials.
- Fireworks or another incendiary device are prohibited.
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch devices with an open flame is prohibited.
Exemptions include:
- Any federal, state or local law enforcement officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting organization in the performance of an official duty.
- All land within a city boundary is exempt unless otherwise stated in a city ordinance.
The State Forester must approve all exemptions to restrictions. If local authorities have imposed stronger restrictions than those listed above, the local restrictions shall apply. These restrictions apply to all permit and leaseholders and other authorized users of state-managed lands. Restrictions do not apply to private lands under ARS § 37-1303.
These restrictions go into effect Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 8:00 am, and will continue until rescinded.
For all statewide fire restriction information: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/. Download the DFFM mobile phone application at https://www.apexmobile.net/app/azdffm/ to receive push alerts, read agency news releases, get fire information, and much more.
For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or at [email protected]
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