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.

    Is your community already FIrewise USA™ recognized?  

    Map  List

Join the Firewise USA™ Program

The Department of Forestry and Fire Management is the NFPA's Firwise USA liaison for the state of Arizona. DFFM works with homeowners associations, communities, and neighborhoods across the state to conduct Firewise USA training opportunities for residents. In turn, the residents work with DFFM to manage their sites and ensure they are meeting all Firewise USA requirements annually. 

Firewise USA™ Contacts in Your Area: 

Northern Arizona Zone: Mohave, Coconino, and Yavapai Counties: Captain Matt Rust 

Southwest, Central, and Northeast Zone: Apache, Navajo, Maricopa, Yuma, La Paz, Graham, and Greenlee Counties: Captain Chris Reed

Southern/Southeast Zone: Gila, Pinal, Pima, Cochise, and Santa Cruz Counties: Captain Mike Deleskiewicz

Firewise USA™ Community Recognition

In 2023, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management helped bring on 30 new Firewise USA-recognized communities across the state and led the southwest with the number of new sites for 2023. Congratulations to our newest communities: 

Coconino County 

Pinnacle Pines - Flagstaff

Gila County 

Rim View Heights - Payson 

Maricopa County 

DC Ranch - Scottsdale

Quail Ridge - Scottsdale

Sincuidados - Scottsdale

Sonoran Estates - Scottsdale

Winfield - Scottsdale 

Navajo County 

Bison Ridge - Pinetop

Country Pines - Pinetop 

High Country Village - Pinetop

Pine Lake Meadow - Pinetop

Pinetop Country Club - Pinetop

Pinetop Lakes Association - Pinetop

Quality Hill HOA - Pinetop

Quality Hill HOA Phase 2 - Pinetop

Quality Hill HOA Phase 4 - Pinetop

Rainbow Cove - Pinetop

Starlight Ridge Estates HOA - Pinetop

Starlight Ridge Estates Townhomes HOA - Pinetop

The Overlook at Bison Ranch - Pinetop

The Shores at Rainbow Lake - Pinetop 

The Timbers - Pinetop

Pima County 

La Canada Desert Homes 1 - Green Valley 

Portillo Ridge HOA - Green Valley 

Solar de Viejo HOA - Green Valley 

The Springs at Santa Rita - Green Valley 

Pinal County 

Superstition Foothills - Gold Canyon 

Yavapai County 

Crossroads Ranch II - Prescott

Forest Hylands Townhomes - Prescott

LaBarranca II - Sedona

In total, Arizona has 154 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.