Flagstaff AZ (July 5, 2016) – Due to significant and widespread rain and decreasing fire danger, the entire Coconino National Forest and the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest in northern Arizona will lift campfire and smoking restrictions, also known as Stage 1 fire restrictions, at 8 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, July 6). The North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest will remain in fire restrictions until more widespread precipitation is received.
Forest managers typically lift fire restrictions when at least a half inch of precipitation has been received over more than two-thirds of the forests. To date, many areas of both forests have received much more than that amount of precipitation.
“With the monsoon moisture we have received, the decreasing fire danger, and the availability of many firefighting resources, jointly we are comfortable that it is the appropriate time to lift fire restrictions for the Coconino and for the southern two districts of the Kaibab,” said Art Gonzales, fire staff officer for the Kaibab National Forest. “Fire restrictions are a great tool for us in preventing unwanted, human-caused fires, and we’d like to thank our visitors for their vigilance in being cautious with potential ignition sources while recreating in the forests.”
Because the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest has not received the widespread precipitation necessary to lift fire restrictions, campfire and smoking restrictions will remain in effect. These restrictions prohibit the following:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, except within a developed recreation site.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site.
Using a device that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are clear of flammable materials.
The Coconino and Kaibab forests initially implemented campfire and smoking restrictions on June 15, along with the Prescott and Apache-Sitgreaves forests, in order to protect public health and reduce preventable, human-caused wildfires. While fire restrictions will be lifted tomorrow on the entire Coconino National Forest and on the Williams and Tusayan ranger districts of the Kaibab National Forest, visitors are always expected to use caution with campfires and other potential ignition sources.
Know Before You Go! The public can obtain additional fire information via the following:
- Arizona Fire Restrictions http://firerestrictions.us/az/
- Arizona Fire Prevention & Information http://wildlandfire.az.gov/
- Fire Restrictions on Public Lands in Arizona and New Mexico 1-877-864-6985
To learn the latest information about the forest you intend to visit, go to its website:
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