Date: May 17, 2012
Arizona State Forester Expands Fire Restrictions
Arizona State Forester Expands Fire Restrictions on State-Owned Lands
PHOENIX, AZ., May 16th, 2012 — Due to the high risk of wildfire across Arizona, State Forester Scott Hunt today announced that the Forestry Division will be expanding fire restrictions to include State lands in all 15 counties. Earlier this month, State lands in six southeastern counties were placed under restrictions.
Effective May 18, 2012, at 0800 hours, fire restrictions on State lands will prohibit campfires, charcoal-burning devices and use of acetylene or other torches. Smoking is also prohibited unless it is within an enclosed vehicle or building, developed campground or area that is cleared of all flammable materials. These restrictions include a prohibition on the use of any fireworks.
These restrictions apply statewide to all unincorporated State Trust Lands, Game & Fish Wildlife Areas and Arizona State Parks. State Park campgrounds will remain open; however parks will be under severe fire restrictions. Please call 602-542-4174 regarding fire restrictions in all 27 State Parks or go to AzStateParks.gov for more information.
The restrictions also apply statewide to all Arizona Department of Transportation right-of-way property in unincorporated areas which is not federally-owned. The state restrictions do not apply to private lands.
“Hot and dry weather conditions have rapidly dried our vegetation and we find it necessary to place additional State lands under restrictions to prevent human-caused wildfires,” said State Forester Scott Hunt. “It is essential that Arizonans heed fire restrictions on all lands to prevent destructive fires this summer.”
Pursuant to A.R.S. 37-623, the State Forester is given authority to restrict the use of open flames
The State Forester’s Notice of Fire Restrictions prohibits the following activities:
• Building or maintaining a fire, campfire, or charcoal burning device. (Petroleum and propane fueled stoves, lanterns, heating and livestock branding devices are exempt)
• Smoking, unless it is done within an enclosed vehicle, building or developed campground, or within an area at least 10 feet in diameter and barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
• Welding or use of acetylene or other torch device with an open flame.
• The use of fireworks.
Note: If local authorities have imposed stronger restrictions than those listed above, than the local restrictions shall apply.
The restrictions are effective May 18, 2012 at 0800 and will continue until further notice.
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Date: May 16, 2012
Tonto National Forest Begins Fire Restrictions Today
Fire restrictions on Tonto National Forest begin today, 8 am
PHOENIX (May 16, 2012) – Drought conditions, hot temperatures and increased fire danger have resulted in fire restrictions for the Tonto National Forest beginning at 8 a.m. today. Most types of fire or fire-causing activities are prohibited across the entire Tonto National Forest.
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or charcoal-burning device is prohibited.
Smoking is only allowed only in a developed campground, vehicle, or building.
Restrictions also apply to operating internal combustion power tools, using welding equipment or torches with open flames, operating combustion engines without spark-arresting devices in effective working order, or discharging firearms except in taking game in accordance with Arizona hunting laws.
Use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices are allowed, and some developed campgrounds are also exempted from these restrictions. (Please see attached list).
“Because of ongoing drought, dry forest conditions, and exceptionally low relative humidities, fire restrictions are needed to protect forest users, structures and natural resources from the increased potential for dangerous wildland fires,” said Tonto National Forest Acting Deputy Clay Templin. “These precautionary measures are intended to enhance our visitors’ quality recreation experiences. Most areas of the Tonto National Forest remain available for recreation activity, including all the Salt River system lakes.”
“We continue to remind the public that all fireworks are prohibited on the forest at all times,” emphasized Templin.
Violation of these restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.
For more information regarding forest recreation sites and fire restrictions, please contact the Tonto National Forest at (602) 225-5200, or check online at www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
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Date: May 16, 2012
Coconino County Imposes Burn Ban
Coconino County Imposes Fire Ban
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Board of Supervisors has approved a ban on open burning on public and private lands in the unincorporated areas of the County. The ban takes effect Wednesday, May 16 at 10 a.m. and will remain in effect until fire danger conditions subside.
The ban includes all open fires, campfires, fireworks and other pyrotechnic displays on private and public lands in the unincorporated areas of the County. Excepted from the ban are petroleum-fueled stoves or lanterns, enclosed charcoal barbeque grills operated in residential yards and special events specifically approved by the Board of Supervisors.
“The continued dry weather has made for dangerous fire conditions throughout the County and much of the state,” said County Supervisor Chairman Carl Taylor. “It’s our hope that imposing this ban will help to avoid additional devastating wildfires that threaten our communities.”
The Board’s decision to impose the ban is in conjunction with fire restrictions placed on the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests, the City of Flagstaff and Coconino County Parks and Recreation.
Citizens are reminded to use caution when smoking cigarettes outdoors and to completely extinguish them.
The use of any machinery that may emit sparks, such as chainsaws and welding equipment should be used with caution during the extreme fire danger period. Be prepared and have fire extinguishing equipment readily available.
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Date: May 16, 2012
Tonto National Forest Closes Areas Relating to Bull Flat Fire
Bull Flat fire closure in effect at 5 pm today
Tonto National Forest, 9 miles northeast of Young, Ariz.
Young, Ariz. (May 16, 2012) – Tonto National Forest officials announced today a temporary closure due to the Bull Flat fire which began on May 10, approximately 9 miles northeast of Young, Ariz. Today the fire is about 1,900 acres in size and approximately 15 percent contained
The closure order is effective beginning 5 pm, Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The following is a description of the closure area:
The closure boundary starts at the intersection of Forest Road (FR) 512 and FR 33 and follows FR 512 south to its intersection with FR 358, then following FR 358 east to its intersection with the forest boundary. The boundary then follows the forest boundary north and turns directly east to the intersection of FR 34 and FR 188, then follows FR 34 north to its intersection with FR 33 and follows FR 33 west to its intersection with FR 512.
FR 512 and FR 33 will remain open for travel during this closure.
The purpose of the closure is to provide for public and firefighter health and safety during the management of the Bull Flat fire.
The fire is currently burning on lands administered by the Fort Apache Agency and the Pleasant Valley Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest and is being managed by the Type 2 Eastern Arizona Incident Management Team. For updates on the fire , please call the 593 Public Information Line at 928-333-3412.
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Date: May 14, 2012
Coronado National Forest Enters Fire Restrictions
CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Stage I Fire Restrictions Across the Forest Starting May 14
Tucson, AZ (May 14, 2012) – Coronado National Forest will implement Stage I fire restrictions across the Forest beginning May 14, 2012. Restrictions will remain in place until July 31 or until they are rescinded due to decreased fire danger.
The restrictions have become necessary due to increased fire danger and are being implemented to protect public health, safety and National Forest System lands, resources and facilities.
Current prohibitions on all ranger districts of the Coronado National Forest are:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site. 36 CFR 261.52(a)
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter, that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 36 CFR 261.52(d)
Prohibitions are temporary and will be lifted when fire restrictions expire. Violation of the prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Fireworks are always prohibited on National Forest lands.
For additional information on fire restrictions on public lands in Arizona and New Mexico please call the toll-free Regional Fire Restrictions Hotline at 1-877-864-6985.
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Date: May 14, 2012
Fire Restrictions Begin on Coconino and Kaibab National Forests
Fire Restrictions Begin Wednesday on Coconino and Kaibab National Forests
WILLIAMS, Ariz. – Campfire and smoking restrictions will be implemented on the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests beginning Wednesday at 8 a.m. These restrictions are deemed necessary to protect public health and prevent human-caused wildfire starts. On the Kaibab, the restrictions cover the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts only.
The criteria officials consider before implementing fire restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuels conditions, fire activity levels and available resources.
Under the fire restrictions fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are allowed in developed campgrounds only. The restrictions also limit smoking to within enclosed vehicles, buildings, or in developed campgrounds. Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns, and heaters that can be turned off are allowed.
Forest visitors are reminded that some campfire restrictions are always in effect, such as in forested areas within city limits of most northern Arizona communities. Additionally, fireworks are never allowed on National Forests. For more information about restrictions on public lands, call toll free 1-877-864-6985 or visit http://www.publiclands.org/firenews/AZ.php.
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Date: May 14, 2012
Prescott National Forest Implements Fire Restrictions
PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST TO IMPLEMENT FIRE RESTRICTIONS
PRESCOTT, AZ (May 14, 2012) – Campfire and smoking restrictions will go into effect on the Prescott National Forest Tuesday, May 15, at 12:00 p.m. Forest managers have determined that key trigger points have been reached to warrant taking these restrictive actions. These include: rapid drying of live and dead forest vegetation; escalating fire weather conditions; increased forest visitor use; and an increase in the number of abandoned campfires.
“While restrictions are not a guarantee to prevent a human-caused wildfire, they can reduce the probability of one. It is our intent to educate our visitors as to the conditions on the Forest and reduce the risk of an unwanted wildfire while we try to balance the protection of the natural resources with the abundant recreation opportunities that exist on the Prescott National Forest.” -- Pete Gordon, Prescott National Forest Fire Staff Officer.
The following fire restrictions will be in effect for the entire Prescott National Forest:
• Campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires (wood, charcoal, and coal burning) are prohibited on all Prescott National Forest lands, roads, and trails; except within developed recreation sites where grills and campfire rings are provided (Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters meeting safety specifications are allowed).
• Smoking is prohibited except within enclosed vehicles, buildings, or developed recreation sites where the area is cleared of all flammable material.
• Campfires are not allowed at the designated dispersed sites within the Prescott Basin. Metal posts identify designated dispersed sites with a number.
Campfire and smoking restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire. Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment of not more than six (6) months, or both. The public is reminded that fireworks are always prohibited on all national forest lands.
For current information on fire restrictions, closures or wildfires on the Prescott National Forest, call 928-777-5799. For further information about fire restrictions on public lands in Arizona and New Mexico, call toll free 1-877-864-6985 or visit http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/.
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Releases and Official Orders for Arizona |
05-17-12
Arizona State Forester Expands Fire Restrictions
05-16-12
Tonto National Forest Begins Fire Restrictions Today
05-16-12
Coconino County Imposes Burn Ban
05-16-12
Tonto National Forest Closes Areas Relating to Bull Flat Fire
05-14-12
Coronado National Forest Enters Fire Restrictions
05-14-12
Fire Restrictions Begin on Coconino and Kaibab National Forests
05-14-12
Prescott National Forest Implements Fire Restrictions
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Releases and Official Orders for Arizona
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