Fire

The Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management implements three stages of fire restrictions on state lands: 

Stage I, Stage II, and closures. 

So what's the difference? 

Examples include:

• Potential loss of life due to extreme fire conditions.
• High potential for extreme fire behavior.
• Level II restrictions are not effective in reducing the number of human-caused fires.
• Resources across the geographic area are at a critical shortage level.

Closure Exemptions:

1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
3. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force or other authorized personnel in the performance of an official duty.
4. All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated in city ordinance.

For information about permits to legally recreate on State Trust land, please call the Land Department's Public Desk at 602-542-4632.

1. Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove including fires in developed campgrounds or improved sites is prohibited. Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is permitted. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, is prohibited.
3. Discharging a firearm except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations is prohibited.
4. Mechanical and Industrial prohibitions:
   1. Operating any internal combustion engine.
   2. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
   3. Using an explosive.

1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act. This process can be utilized in cases where public works and public utility emergency repairs are necessary.
2. Industrial operations where specific operations and exemptions are identified and mitigation measures are implemented as outlined in an agency plan.
3. Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.
4. Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads so long as you park in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway.
5. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
6. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force or other authorized personnel in the performance of an official duty.
7. All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated by city ordinance.
8. Discharging of firearms is allowed on agency designated shooting ranges.

When it Comes to Your Home - Wildfires Don't Have to be a Disaster

The Department of Forestry and Fire Management participates in National Fire Protection Association's Firewise USA™ program. The program teaches people how to adapt to live with wildfire. As a homeowner, there are simple things you can do to reduce the risk of your property from wildfire.

    For more information on what you can do we encourage you to check out the Arizona 

    'Living with Wildfire' booklet.

   And for more information on how to get your community into the Firewise USA™

   program, visit their website or contact the DFFM Fire Prevention Officer. 

   Is your community already FIrewise USA™ recognized?  

    Map  List

Firewise USA™ Community Recognition

In 2021, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management helped bring on 12 new Firewise USA-recognized communities and the most in the southwest! 

Congratulations to our newest communities: 

Estates at Cherry Ridge - Yavapai County

Forest Hylands - Prescott, Yavapai County 

Ironwood Village - Scottsdale, Maricopa County 

Las Sendas Community Association A - Mesa, Maricopa County 

Pine Lake - Kingman, Mohave County 

Pine Oaks Property Owners Association - Navajo County 

Sports Village IV HOA - Navajo County 

Terravita - Scottsdale, Maricopa County 

The Knolls - Star Valley, Gila County

Tonto Hills - Cave Creek, Maricopa County 

Verdanate at Westland Estates - Scottsdale, Maricopa County 

Whispering Hills - Cave Creek, Maricopa County 

In total, Arizona has 125 Firewise USA sites throughout the state with more communities and HOAs in the participation pipeline. We encourage you to take the time to speak with your neighbors, your community associations, and HOAs to work on bringing your area onto the Firewise USA platform. It takes all of us to do our parts to reduce the risk of devastating wildfires from threatening our homes and our Arizona communities. A home and a community that has clear defensible space is more likely to survive a wildfire, plus it keeps our firefighters on the ground safe when they are working to save your property.

There are six steps that you must take in order to get your community Firewise USA™ recognized. Please refer to the National Fire Protection Association's website for complete instructions. For more information you can contact the DFFM Prevention Program at [email protected]. 
 

Arizona Firewise USA™ Plan Outline

Firewise USA™ Community Assessment Portal