Cottonwood AZ (June 15, 2016) – Beginning June 15, 2016 at 8:00 AM Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect for Apache, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa, Navajo, and Yavapai Counties. This includes the communities of the Verde Villages, Verde Santa Fe, Cornville, Town of Clarkdale, Bridgeport, Oak creek Valley, Angel Valley, and Page Springs.
Extreme high wind conditions combined with rising temperatures have accelerated drying conditions across the county and the state. With several wildfires already burning in Arizona, the Verde Valley Fire District is implementing these restrictions in an effort to improve public safety conditions.
This FIRE RESTRICTIONS ORDER will apply to the following State-owned and State-managed lands within Apache, Coconino, Gila, Navajo, Maricopa, and Yavapai County 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 campfires allowed in developed campgrounds)
- All Department of Transportation highway right-of-way property outside incorporated municipalities not owned by Federal land management agencies.
The restrictions are as follows:
- 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 persons using 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 3 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 barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
- The discharging or using of any kind of fireworks and incendiary devices is prohibited.
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch device with an open flame is prohibited.
Additional exemptions to the above-listed restrictions include:
- Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- All land within a city boundary is exempted unless otherwise stated in city ordinance.
All exemptions to these restrictions must be approved by the State Forester.
If local authorities have imposed stronger restrictions than those listed above, then the local restrictions shall apply.
These restrictions apply to all permit and lease holders, and other authorized users of State managed lands.
These restrictions are effective June 15, 2016 and will continue until rescinded.
If you have any questions about the fire restrictions you can reach the Verde Valley Fire District by calling 928-634-2578.
Nazih Hazime, Fire Chief
Verde Valley Fire District