Big Idea
- Due to increasing fire danger, the entire region will enter Stage 2 fire restrictions Thursday morning at 8 AM
- The area has been under Stage 1 restrictions since May 5th
- These additional fire restrictions will remain in effect until conditions have changed sufficiently
- The goal is to reduce the rusk of human-caused wildfire
- Read more…
See the various news releases below
Forest Service News Release
Prescott National Forest Plans to Enter Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on Thursday, May 26 at 8:00 A.M.
PRESCOTT, AZ – May 24, 2022— Due to increasing fire danger the Prescott National Forest is planning to enter Stage 2 fire restrictions on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 8 a.m.
The Forest has been under Stage 1 fire restrictions since May 5, which prohibits recreational target shooting and campfires across the forest; and limits them to developed campsites only. However, warmer, and windy weather, as well as key criteria are being met, which merits implementation of increased fire restrictions. These additional fire restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire.
Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit the following:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal, coal, and briquettes.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three (3) feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of any flammable material.
3. Welding, or operating any acetylene or other torch with an open flame.
4. Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun.
5. Operating a chainsaw or other equipment operated by an internal combustion engine between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Know Before You Go! The public can obtain current state and federal fire restrictions information across Arizona on the Arizona Interagency Wildfire Prevention and Information website . The map is a culmination of work from federal, state, and local agencies who hope to explain to the public where it is safe to have fires and where it’s not. The map shows all fire restrictions in New Mexico and Arizona, regardless of jurisdiction.
For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us onFacebook and Twitter.
Yavapai County Institutes County Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
On May 24, 2022, The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chair, Mary Mallory, signed the Interim order prohibiting the sale and use of fireworks; enacting Stage 2 Fire Restrictions; and ordering an Outdoor Fire Ban, to protect the public, infrastructure, and environment across all fire zones in Yavapai County. The effective date of the fire ban is May 26, 2022, at 8:00 AM.
Fire Ordinance Zones: Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern Zones of Yavapai County, which include the following cities and towns; Prescott, Prescott Valley, Dewy Humboldt, Mayer, Cordes Junction, Black Canyon City, Congress, North Wickenburg, Peoples Valley, Yarnell, Wilhoit, Cottonwood, Sedona, Camp Verde, and unincorporated areas herein.
Stage 1 restrictions are hereby implemented as part of a previous action, which includes prohibition of:
a. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire except within a developed recreation site, or improved site.
b. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an outdoor area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
c. Operating or using any equipment with an internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either the USDA Forest Service Standard 5100-1a (as amended), or appropriate Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a) (36 CFR 261.52 (j)).; and,
Pursuant to Yavapai County Ordinance 2020-2, Section VIII.C, and in coordination with other governmental entities that manage lands within Yavapai County, Stage 2 restrictions are hereby implemented as part of this action (in addition to those restrictions of Stage 1 above), which includes prohibition of:
a. Discharging or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device when prohibited by the Permitted Fireworks section VIII.A.
b. Using an explosive.
c. Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine between the hours of 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
d. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
e. Possession or use a motor vehicle off of Forest System Roads except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway; and except for parking overnight in a developed campground and or trailheads.; and,
Pursuant to Yavapai County Ordinance 2020-2, Section VIII.D, and in coordination with other governmental entities that manage lands within Yavapai County, an Outdoor Fire Ban is hereby implemented as part of this action in addition to those restrictions of Stages 1 and 2 above, which includes:
1. All outdoor burning is prohibited, to include, combustion, open fire, campfire, and fireworks, subject to the Permitted Fireworks section VIII.A, other than as follows:
a. Persons with a written permit or variance that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
b. Any Federal, State, or Local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty;
Liquified Propane Gas (LPG), Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) or petroleum fueled stoves or lanterns and enclosed charcoal barbeque grills operated in residential yards are exempt from this prohibition, but the public is urged to exercise extreme caution in the use of such stove, lanterns or grills; and,
The public is urged to strictly obey any and all federal, state, or local fire restrictions currently in force as well as any such restrictions as may be enacted in the future; and,
The fire restriction set forth in this Order shall be subject to any exceptions established by current or future Federal, State, or Local fire restrictions and shall not apply on those public lands on which fire restrictions have not been imposed; and,
Regardless of any exceptions to the fire restrictions contained in this Order, or any exceptions contained in fire restrictions enacted by other entities, the public is hereby urged to use particular caution in all uses of fire during this period of extreme fire danger. This fire ban will stay in effect until the risk has diminished and there is agency consensus that restrictions may be lifted.
