Stage I Fire Restrictions to Take Effect on State Lands

Phoenix, AZ (6/20/19)  - As fire activity gains momentum and fire suppression resources remain spread thin across Arizona, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management will implement fire restrictions to some state lands on Friday.

Starting Friday, June 21, at 8 am, Stage I fire restrictions go into effect on Arizona state-owned and managed lands in Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, and Yuma Counties. The department will also put Stage I restrictions in place in Mohave County, south of the Colorado River. 

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 – year round.
• 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 exempted unless otherwise stated in a city ordinance.

All exemptions to these restrictions must be approved by the State Forester.

If local authorities have imposed stronger restrictions then those listed above, than the local restrictions shall apply.

These restrictions apply to all permit and lease holders and other authorized users of state-managed lands. These restrictions do not apply to private lands under ARS § 37-1303.

Restrictions are effective at 8 am on June 21, 2019, and will continue until rescinded.

For fire restriction information go to:  http://firerestrictions.us/az/ - or download the agency’s mobile app by searching the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management in the iTunes and Google Play stores.

For more information, contact Tiffany Davila at 602-540-1036 or by email at [email protected]